Interview: Alessia
Camera, montage: Nadya
Transcription: Lola, Nika, Allusion, (with help of Estriel).
Hi everyone! Today we have interview with an inique skater and the interesting person Johnny Weir. He’s sitting next to me. Hi Johnny, how are you?
I’m good, a little bit tired but good.
Ok, let’s start. During attending Moscow, you have a really great cultural program.
We have been to “Yunona I Avos”, and saw “The Swan Lake” in the Bolshoy Theatre. Your impressions?
Culturally, Russia is so diverse, and you can see a rock opera and a ballet, and both of them are fantastic. And in the US, you’ve a Broadway show, this and that, this and that, and nothing is like to the best level. But everything in Moscow is to the best level.
Does it give you an inspiration to skate better at Cup of Russia?
Of course! I always want to skate well in Russia, but this year I think I can win for sure. I’ve never won Cup of Russia, so that’s inspiration enough; plus seeing these amazing shows.
In your ordinary life, what inspiration and motivation you have to skate better?
I don’t like to lose.
Let’s go back to the Cup of China, where you won your first gold medal there, since, if I’m not mistaken, the 2004 season…
Aha.
What is it for you?
Well, first, I skated two clean programs, so that was the first huge improvement. Second, I was first place, and that was amazing for me. And, third, I beat Lysacek. And that was the third big step for me. And I beat Stéphane Lambiel, too. But Lysacek was more important for me, because we’ll go against each other for National title, and for World medals. I don’t want people thinking it’s like this (shows like if they are equal - Lola) for the Americans. I want to be this one (shows – the one who’s on top), and he can be… (shows the one in the bottom)... whatever else.
To beat Evan what is more important: to do the quad or to skate really clean?
I think it’s more important to have a good performance. A quad is amazing when people land them, but it’s not the only thing in the sport. There is the the program, the music, costumes, artistry, jumps, of course, spins. And everything has to be good, not just – Oh, he can do a quad. That’s not the most important thing to me.
So, you’re not going to do the quad at Cup of Russia?
Cup of Russia, Galina and I still are working. Last week we were training in Olimpiisky (stadium), and it was good for four days, and the fifth day it was bad. So, today was a day off, tomorrow, I’ll skate. And I have Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday – a day off and then, official practice at Cup of Russia, Thursday. So, we’ll see in these practices how it’s going.
And what about step sequences? Are you going to do them more difficult in both programs?
Well, the step sequences are difficult.
What level are they?
They were level 1, and 2 or 3. It’s because I left out certain steps. And I didn’t do the steps cleanly. But if I do the steps the way we’ve practiced every day, it’s level 3 with pluses. Because level 4... it’s so hard to get, and nobody ever takes it except a Japanese boy, one time, and Plushenko, one time. So, it’s more important to go for level three, that’s good.
And what’s new in your training with Galina as a coach?
She is more exact then Priscilla was. She likes everything to be a certain way, and she likes in to be her way. And she’s very good at motivating me. If I’m too tired, or if I feel too old one day, and I can’t do a long program today, she can pull it out of me. And we do full runthroughs. Before we just did pieces of the programs, so now we do the whole thing.
Does it mean that she’s too strict sometimes?
She’s a little bit strict, but it’s something that I needed. That’s why I moved from Priscilla, who was a good friend, more like a mother than a coach, that’s why I left her and went with Galina, because I knew Galina wouldn’t let me relax and let me be … to make stupid decisions. She only wants the proper decisions for my sport.
And what's about more choreography for your programs? Because some people after China, they said you’re more technical, and your choreography is not so good.
The short program, it changed a lot from the original choreography, because originally it was so hard to make the hardest step sequences, the hardest spins and all the jumps in 2 minutes and 50 seconds. So, we had to change a lot of things so I could do the elements. And that’s something I don’t like about the new system, because, we have these elements we have to do, and one steps sequence takes 30 seconds now. So, if you have two step sequences, it’s one minute. And then three jumps, it’s maybe 30 or 40 seconds. And then the rest of the time basically you’re spinning. So, the choreography for the short program especially – it’s your costume and it’s the opening and closing position. So, it’s really hard to have choreography now.
And why did you change your costume for short program?
I looked fat.
You really think so?
At the Japanese Competition this one side was completely white, and it made me look too wide.
(Laughs) It’s funny because you look so skinny, Johnny!
And do you feel comfortable skating your programs now?
Aha… I think I’m well-trained and I’m consistently working hard, I’m doing good programs at home, and I think, of course I’m well-trained and I’m comfortable.
Some wishes for you friends in Russia?
Ummm… Derzhi kulachki za menia!
“Writer” in your ISU profile, what does it mean?
I’m going to write for a newspaper.
What’s the newspaper?
I can’t tell the newspaper yet.
It’s secret?
Yes, it’s a secret for now. But I’m going to write for a newspaper. It’ll be one time per month. And I’ll basically pick a topic, any topic, and I’ll write my story about it. And it’s going to be like an opinion column. So, basically, the first one I’m going to write is that it’s difficult to travel and to be American in other countries. Because the reputation of Americans is so bad now.
And what about designing? Do you forget this idea?
No, I’m still doing it. I designed both of my costumes.
It was your design?!
(Nods) Previously it was… I was having designs by Natella Abdulaeva. She lives in New Jersey, and she did really nice things and good ideas, but when my costume ladies started to actually make it, it wasn’t working right. So I designed, I made new drawings; we just... we used what I drew. Then I also designed all of the costumes for Melissa and Denis this year.
Ti molodets! (Well done!)
Not that you can see, anybody saw her free dance costume because of the accident, but I think it’s really cool. It has big feathers here (shows).
I see (laughs). Creative, really creative.
Imagine you have a collection. What will be the label for it?
I’ve been thinking about it a lot. And I like the name Ripped, Torn and Burnt.
Well, nice decision.
Because I like the style when everything looks like it’s wrong, like everything’s ripped apart or it’s frayed on the edge or burnt, something like that. It’s interesting to me.
It’s a test. See, some figures. You need to paint something every this figure to become a picture.
What is there, a butt? Is it boobs? What is it?
(Big laugh) ;-)
No ! You have to paint something to the figure to become a real picture, not like a figure but a picture, and then to add one adjective for each picture. Imagine something! It’s not a butt! It can be heart. Then I’ll tell you what it means.
Oh, that’s true.
It's interesting… (Johnny draws)…
I have to write what it is, yes?
Yes, an adjective.
About it, or what it is?
No, about it!
It’s a boat.
No, you can say that it’s …
…boat.
No, an adjective. What’s boat?
This is a boat ;)
What’s boat exactly? Wonderful boat, for example…
Conquer. Did I spell it wrong?
No, no, it’s ok!
Just four pictures… Just imagine something, and that's all! Don’t care about the results!
It’s coming, it’s coming!
What’s this test?*laughing*
…to do! You promised me!
Is this bad? Like... Is it dirty, this test?
No! No! It’s only about you. I’ll tell you the results when you’ve done it… You’ll be shocked, but it’s okay. And you’re red, you’re ashamed.
Am I? (touches cheek).
It’s a funny test!
The second one is how you see other people (LOVE - russian cathedral).
The third one is what do you think about life (ME - his name).
The fourth is how you see your soul, you inside (CONQUER - boat).
It’s very strange, but the fifth, it’s your relation to your family (NOTHING - black box).
Oh, that’s not right! No, it’s not right!
And the last one is what you think about love (TASTE - lips). Especially first time (laughs).
So, in reality, what’s wrong? The fifth is wrong… Cross it!
The fifth is wrong. Well, I just don’t like that shape. Boxes are stupid. Like if you’d given me a more fun shape. Like if it was… (draws) I could have done something better.
Ok, what does your family, and what does love mean to you?
What does family and love mean to me? Well, family for me, it’s... like a safe place, I guess. Because your family is always behind you. My family is always behind me. And I know like if I was 20th place on the Olympics or first place, I would have the same reaction with my family. And the love, you know… I guess sex is a part of love in some ways, but “taste” doesn’t have to be just like (licks his hand) taste. It’s like choosing someone that you feel compatible with, someone you have similarities with. And I think maybe that’s this. I have taste, and I’m smart and clever, that’s what it would mean. I don’t know, this is all very funny. And I’m Mishutka. A little white bear (laughs). And in my life, yes, right now I’m selfish, so it is me.
So, it’s true… Not all but…
This one is real. This one is real. Mishutka – yeah, I guess. Four is right, five is wrong, and sixth is ok.
Thank you so much! Enjoy your time in Moscow! I wish that you will win.
Derzhi kulachki za menia!
Of course. That is all.
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