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Johnny Weir
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Here are Johnny's latest answers to your questions.  
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MARCH 2007

from Ya

Q: Johnny, have you ever made acquaintance of any of your fans? Do you still remember their names?

A: I always try to make time for my fans. Sometimes it's difficult because I am at competitions and I have to focus on that, but I know a lot of my fans by name. I really try my best and I feel bad when I don't remember meeting them or something like that. I do get nervous at times with people though. After the Olympic Games I received a lot of hate mail and even death threats so I have to be careful at times. In the fall of 2006 a woman came from Brazil to my hometown of Newark. She came to the rink and watched me practice which was fine. Then I noticed her following me in her car one day and filming me walking into Starbucks and driving home. I had to take an indirect route home so she couldn't see where I lived. I went to my friend Paris' one afternoon and when I left several hours later, the woman was sitting in the parking lot of the apartment complex with her camera rolling. From instances like that, I get nervous which is a shame because generally I believe people mean well.

from Liv

Q: Hey Johnny. How long did it take u to land your double axel? I'm beginning to hate that jump.

A: I landed my first single axel after one week of skating. I landed my double axel after two weeks of working on the jump and I landed the triple axel three weeks after starting work on it. It's funny how it worked out 1,2,3. I got very discouraged with triple axel because it took so long to land it, but don't give up, you'll get it!

from Johanna

Q: Hello Johnny! First of all, I love your skating, and I really respect your ability to speak your mind even under harsh criticism from the press. I was wondering what you think of the Maria Mukhortova/Maksim Trankov vs. Julia Obertas/Sergei Slavnov pairs rivalry in Russia. Thank you and best of luck in the future, in skating and in life!

A: I think Russian pairs are exciting right now. Obertas/Slavnov are great and I'll miss seeing them in Tokyo. They have an interesting take on a lot of different elements. Mukhortova/Trankov have improved so much since moving to Oleg Vassiliev. They have really come into their own under his coaching. They are all nice people and I think they're all talented. I also really enjoy Kavaguchi/Smirnov. I am happy they'll compete in Tokyo.

from Adlet, Kazakhstan

Q: 2002 Salt Lake Olympics. Who truly deserved the gold: Berezhnaia/Sikharulidze or the Canadians? Or do you agree with IOC's "double gold" decision? Can I count than you would answer?

A: I personally would have had Berezhnaya/Sikharulidze in first. I know there was a judging scandal, but I preferred the Russians 100%. I thought they showed true style and beauty and the Canadians delivered a solid technical performance. To me, beauty trumps jumps and acrobatics.

from Colette

Q: Hi Johnny, To what extent do you get recognized walking the streets in Delaware, elsewhere in the States, Japan, and Russia? Can you get around with
a degree of anonymity when away from skating events?

A: I get recognized more in New York City, Boston, Russia and Los Angeles than in Delaware. In Delaware I think people are a little unaware of figure skating and what kind of strong skaters come out of their state. It's fun when I get recognized, but it's a little awkward. I always think, its just me, what's the big deal?

from Anastasia

Q: Hi Johnny! Hope you're doing great.. I'm in love with the costume you wore for the LP at this year's Nationals. It basically changed my whole perception of the program, emphasizing all the elegance of the choreography. I know you had been making some changes to the initial design, so that, for example, the one at Cup of Russia was not quite the same as at Skate Canada, but could you please tell how the idea of choosing a totally different color came about? Is the change permanent or do you perhaps plan to wear the "old" costume again for this program? Thanks and keep up the magic!

A: I didn't love the grey costume I used at the beginning of the season. I thought it made me look too heavy on the ice. I prefer the simpler design of the new black costume, and I designed the black costume while using some inspiration from the grey one. I think it fits the program better than the grey.

from Christy

Q: Hey Johnny! Do you wear contacts?

A: Nope.

from Alla

Q: Privet, Johnny! I want to ask. Do you want to travel to the Russia with Ice Show? And to visit my home town Perm? ;-)

A: I am actually currently working on a deal to do some shows in Russia since I missed the last three I was to perform in. I would like to take part in the shows to give back to my Russian fans who have been waiting for me since December!

from Cathy

Q: Hey Johnny... Sorry about Nationals. But do you think in a strange way this will push your training? In other words do you think you will train harder? I think you and Evan push each other. It is obvious that the two of you do not get along. Why?

A: It has pushed my training. I don't want to be the third best American. That has never been in my plans and now that I reached that level, I have no intentions on reliving it. I am not training harder, but I am training smarter. I look forward to the World Championships and the end of the season. Evan and I do push each other in skating. It's not that we don't get along, because we do, but we're competitors and in many ways each other's biggest rival, so would Hitler and Stalin have sat down to tea? Probably not.

from Colette

Q: Have you ever felt scared of flying since 9/11? How do you overcome your fears?

A: I haven't been afraid. I flew on 9/11 and I flew a few weeks after 9/11. Not everyone is crazy. Not everyone will hijack and crash a plane. I get on planes because I have to for my life, that's it. I think, in life, if you're afraid of things you miss out on your life because you're so preoccupied with the one thing you're afraid of.

from K

Q: When was the first time you ever competed against Evan Lysacek?

A: The US National Championship in 1999. We were Junior level.

from Beth

Q: Hey Johnny. Most skaters wait backstage while the other skaters do their programs, why did you decide to watch Evan? It must have made you even more nervous...

A: I didn't watch Evan. I saw his final jump and step sequence because I skated next and I had to be near the ice. Watching is like suicide to me. Media makes up stories to add more drama and sell more papers. I stood backstage until I heard some of the last strains of "Carmen," and then I went out to see the ice. To this day, I still haven't seen Evan's entire performance.

from Joanna

Q: Hi - I was really sorry to see you lose your title at Nationals. I 'm not a big fan of yours because your anger and bitterness and just "always needing to prove a point" turns me off, but I felt sorry for you when you were crying in the kiss&cry. Better luck next time!

A: Thanks.

from Alla

Q: Hi, Johnny! I'm from Russia. What is your favorite program? ;) Thank you and good luck.

A: My favorite program has been "The Swan." Tatiana Anatolievna really brought out the best in my skating with that music and program and I loved performing it.

from Keri

Q: What do you think of Tanith and Evan's relationship? Are you and Tanith still close?

A: All this just makes me giggle. Tanith and I are friendly yes.

from Olga (Moscow)

Q: Good time of day, Johnny! What quality of human character do you value, respect most of all? Thank you for answer beforehand.

A: Honesty.

from Nina (Saint Petersburg)

Q: I've heard that famous people don't like to associate with "usual" people because they are afraid that their "new friends" want to rub shoulders with them only because they are famous. What about you, can you become a friend of a person, who is a usual student (for example)?

A: Most of my friends are "normal people." Some of them skate and they're good at it, but I'm not friends with "Hollywood" type people. I am real and I choose to have real people around me. It doesn't matter who you are, if I like you, I like you and that's it. I don't care about celebrity status, student status, unemployed status, status is bull.

from Mirjam

Q: I kept thinking about your childhood and fame.. I guess it was awfully rough at first... But when you got famous then how can you make the difference who's your friend for real and who's your "friend" for fame?

A: At times I think I have a sixth sense with people. I don't consider myself famous or a star, so I don't think anyone else should think as such. I can usually tell when someone is fake, and I definitely don't have time for that. I tend to keep my inner circle very small and select and with only the people I can trust. I've been hurt a lot by "friends" and I've had to deal with it. Not everyone is looking out for me, so I look out for myself and can spot a fake a mile away.

from Dora W.

Q: I know of your love of the Russian culture and people, is it your intent to try to obtain Russian citizenship once your competitive life is done?

A: It depends on where I wish to live when I'm done competing. I will be a citizen of the World!

from vickie in Texas

Q: Who takes care of your 'Vanya' while you're gone? And what made you pick that particular breed of dog?

A: My family takes care of Vanya while I'm away. He's kind of a problem child so it would be hard to travel with him. He'd bark the whole way. Vanya was actually a gift from my parents on my 21st birthday. I have one Chihuahua already, BonBon, so my parents know I like Chihuahuas. I was actually going to buy myself a Papillon for myself for that birthday, but my parents found me Vanya first. I am so happy I didn't get the Papillon! I like small dogs, because I like puppies and I think small dogs always look like puppies.

from Irina

Q: Hello! I'm from Russia and I enjoy to watch you skating very much. Your performances always leave a feeling of smooth native, Russian. And that's incredible! My question is: you've achieved so much and such results presuppose hard work, besides, constant attention can't but make one exhausted. So, how do you usually relax? Don't you sometimes have a wish to leave everything and just stay alone for a little bit? Thanks for your reply. I wish you all the best and I'm looking forward to watching you on the World Championship. Good luck!

A: I don't relax. I don't think I even remember how. Even when I'm just sitting at home my legs are always moving, or my hands are always going. I have been training at the peak level since July 2005, and I have had no vacation or rest. After this coming World Championship and Champions On Ice tour, I will take a break and have a true rest. I hope I remember how! Sometimes I do wish to leave everything and have a break, but that doesn't get results.

from Sue A.

Q: Hi Johnny, You've been to Japan several times now. I will be there during Worlds and besides going to the competition on March 21-22, I will be touring in Tokyo and Kyoto. What are your favorite places to visit? to eat? to shop? Any tips for a first-time visitor who does not speak Japanese? We'll be cheering for you at Worlds. Hugs, Sue

A: Go to Harajuku. You can lost for a day there!

from Victor (Romania)

Q: Hey Johnny, thanks for answering my question in January about the Quad. Just don't forget that you were, are and will always be BETTER than Evan. Who helped you develop those difficult spins?

A: I wish I could spin better right now. The new levels of difficulty are difficult but it trivializes spins and makes them uncreative I think. I create my positions with my coaches and we work from there. I would rather do a well done, simple spin than a level four monstrocity but to have results, you need level four. Thank you by the way! :)

from Claudia NYC

Q: Hi Johnny! you put all the craziness into perspective very eloquently! I saw a preview for that new ice skating movie, which parodies you. How do you feel about that? It must be sort of painful, but in a way it's a form of flattery too, right? I just wondered how it makes you feel. Keep doing your thing, we love you!!! ;)))

A: I think it's amazing. I like the fact that I stand out enough for someone to parody me. I got to meet the producers and director of the movie and they were very complimentary of me, they were very cool. I don't think it's painful at all.

from Tina and Eva

Q: Johnny, How did you feel about your coverage on perezhilton.com? We are huge fans!

A: I didn't even know I was on PerezHilton or what PerezHilton was until my friend called and told me. I think it's so funny that I make celebrity websites and am not classified as just an athlete. I think it's cool how I can cross over into the fashion world, celebrity world and sports world. I think in figure skating it's rare to find that, so even though PerezHilton is a bit mean spirited, I was happy that they chose to put me up!

from Tom

Q: I love your style on and off the ice. If you had to estimate.. how much would you say your entire wardrobe is worth? You have excellent taste in fashion.

A: My wardrobe is priceless. I've worked very hard to get all the superficial things I have, so they all mean something special to me. I had to work for everything I have, nothing was just given to me. As much as I go on and on about clothes and cars and stupid things like that, they aren't so stupid to me because I wanted them and had to work for them. I still have the first thing I ever bought myself with my own money after my first paying show. I bought a beanie baby, the Princess Diana beanie baby, the purple bear with the rose. I still have it in one of my closets to remember where it all started. HAHA That all seems like so long ago...

from Daleah

Q: I wanted to tell you, in fact thank you for sharing YOURSELF with the rest of the world. I was having a rough time in my life and for some reason after a figure skating event I googled your name, basically read EVERY article about you & it's amazing the way my life has changed ever since, suddenly I'm very proud of who I am and what I want.  Lots of people seem to be offended by your honesty & think you're a bad influence, I respect their opinion...but they don't know how that SAME honesty is life-changing to so many of us. My question is, did you notice you're kind of a self-esteem "pump" to many of us just by saying what you think & doing what you love? and if so, how does it feel to be a huge help in such a personal & spiritual way? (thanks so much & best of luck with EVERYTHING you do :D)

A: Wow, thank you. I am happy I could help you out. :) I get a lot of messages from people saying in some small way I've helped them. I am so thrilled with that. I never set out to be a role model, or to change people, or to help people. I set out to make myself happy and to do what I love and in some way, people can use that and apply it their lives. Thank you for your question.

from Violet

Q: What are your favourite male and female names? Thanks:)

A: For girls I like Anastasia, Hannah, and Lilya. For boys I like Roman, Nikita and Alexander.

from Micheala

Q: Hey Johnny! It was really nice of you to make a MySpace in order to connect with even more of your friends! And I read on your MySpace page-and have seen on your home page here- that you are filming a reality series? Could you please explain what it is and what inspired you to film your life? Thanks! And good luck training for Tokyo!!! :)

A: In September 2006 James Pellerito and David Barba approached me about filming a reality show in the artistic format of a documentary. We are calling the series Johnny Be Good. We have released a DVD in Japan to help get some buzz going about the show and we would like to bring it to US television at some point. For a reality show there are generally seven cameras on you at all times, I have at maximum, two. It will be a very artistic show. I have seen some sample DVDs of it, and I think it's funny and well shot. It will give people an idea of what my life is like and how boring it is sometimes! I also wanted to give a glimpse inside the world of figure skating in general. James and David have traveled everywhere with me this season, and although it may not have been my best season, you'll still get an idea of what it's like to go to competitions, other events, fashion shows, red carpets and so on. I think it will be interesting to see. I was also happy that the results of the events wouldn't dictate the show. I had no pressure from them to make sure I won everything for the show. HAHA In general, it was a good concept and I wanted to try it to see what it was like and I think we'll have a great show when we are finished filming after the World Championships.

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