Fan Interviews

Interviews from the 2005/2006 Season (Part 3)

(Johnny answers questions from his fans)

June 7, 2006

1. (From RuiRobyn aka Midori in Raleigh, NC ) Did you receive a bag at the Raleigh COI show from a fan that included some bears, a card and three single red gloves? If so, what did you think?

I did receive that package. Thank you so much! Even Evan was like, "who left you a bunch of baby Camilles?" I was very excited about them and the fact of the matter is, I needed gloves and now I wear them for practice every day. Thank you!

2. (From Tania in British Columbia , Canada ) Johnny, you always have such beautiful pimple-free skin on your face. Care to share any of your secrets?

Eck, pimple is the dirtiest word to me! HA HA. I try to take really good care of my skin and I actually try a new product every month or so. I always stick to the same moisturizers and washes though. My favorite companies are Ren and Cle de Peau. This past year I also learned that if you feel something coming up, and there's an important function you have to go to, your dermatologist can shoot it up with a tiny bit of cortisone and it disappears. I also have a device called Zeno that heats up and kills whatever bacteria you have in the inflamed area and helps kill the pimple without force! My favorite find as of late is a little gel rolling pen by Cellex that is filled with tea tree oil and anti-inflammatories and it helps me stay clear. It sounds very vain to go on and on about skin, but I'm very passionate about skin and one of my dreams is to have my own facial health spa one day and my own line of dermatological products.

3. (From Marie in Revere , MA ) Hi, Johnny. It sounds like you're enjoying the tour. Since the tour is stretched out until mid August, are you going to be able to get away on vacation before the new season?

I have just had about two and a half weeks off minus two days for the show in Pensacola and I feel very refreshed. I went to Boston and then back to Delaware and it has been great to with family and friends and chill out for a bit and not worry about the shows. Today I am going to my brother’s graduation and I'm so excited about it. I was also able to be home for Patti's birthday which gave me warm fuzzies, and I've been enjoying my wine and lots of rest. Hopefully all of my breaks will be somewhat restful.

4. (From Heather in Michigan ) Hey Johnny. Are you concerned at all about the length of the post-Olympic COI tour, vs. time to prepare for the upcoming season?

Not at all. I have a mission this year and it's to skate well with no excuses. I will train as hard as possible to be prepared for the Grand Prix and the pro-am. I'm not expecting perfection, but I'm expecting a strong sense of preparation and the ability to skate clean.

5. (From Dorine in France) Bonjour Johnny! J'espère que tu vas bien. Here is my question for you: Was it hard to find your next exhibition song after "My Way" being such a powerful song that fits your life (it gave me goose bumps), or was it something that you were thinking about for some time? I'm pleased to know that everything's fine for you ! Enjoy yourself . Take care, bisous!

It wasn't difficult. 'My Way' is a classic for me and I love it so much, but I didn't want my mind to turn to mush after skating only to 'My Way' for fifty seven shows. The new program is a more fun style for me. I finished making it in twenty five minutes and I think I did a good job. It is to 'Desert Rose' by Sting to help get me in a Middle Eastern mood for my upcoming free program. I'll pick and choose which cities to do it in. Nobody has seen it yet, but Patti will be the first to see it.

6. (From Judi in Fair Lawn, NJ) Hi Johnny, I know your dad stayed home with your brother while your mom attended your competitions, and I was wondering now that your brother is graduating high school and may be more independent then before, if your dad may start attending your competitions now?

Generally that all comes down to money. My brother will be going to college in Delaware for a while so he'll still need a home base anyway. If we have the extra money to take my parents to events, we'll do it. I know after the Olympics though, my dad was a bit maxed out and didn't like the judging and felt awkward when I didn't skate or place very well, so I think he got his fill. I'd love to take him to Russia or Japan but it's all about money. He's also disabled from his past job. His back is very weak and it kills him to go on long trips. I think he'll come to Vancouver though!

7. (From Liz in Germany) Hi cutie ;-) Have you planned to come to Europe this summer?

I may be in Spain sometime in July and possibly Russia in August. I will go both places for work, but it will be fun in any event.

8. (From Nicole in Ohio) Book or movie? I.e., do you generally prefer the book version or the movie version of a story?

Usually the book. With a book you can create your own sets, actors and inflexions. Sometimes when you see the movie it crushes your idea of what the story was supposed to be. I do want to see The Devil Wears Prada when it comes out though.

9. (From Sharon in Point Pleasant, NJ) Hi, Johnny. I was happy to see that Tatiana Tarasova is choreographing your SP :-). Since she has moved back to Russia, is she coming back here to do it, or are you going to Russia to work with her there? Good luck with everything this season!

It depends on scheduling. At this point I think I'l probably be going to Moscow, but you never can tell. Doing it here or there isn't a big issue; I just want to make another fantastic program with Tatiana Anatolievna.

10. (From Shiloh in Michigan) Dear Johnny, what was it like when you first became a figure skater?

I loved moving so fast from place to place on the ice. I also liked feeling in control of myself once I understood the delicate chemistry between ice and blade as opposed to the ice and my butt. I remember it feeling so good when I would land a new element or conquer a new spin or step. Everything was new and exciting.

11. (From Betty in Virginia) In one word (or phrase), how would you describe your attitude/mind set going into this season? As always, I wish you the very best of luck and can't wait to see your new programs!

Determined.

12. (From Pamela in San Francisco) Hey, Johnny! You seem to be having a great time on the COI tour and I can't wait to see you when you reach the Bay Area (I have tickets to see you in 3 cities!). I'm really curious about what happened to the "My Way" tuxedo, however. I LOVE that costume and you don't seem to be wearing it anymore on the tour. Did you get tired of it or was it uncomfortable? And is there any chance you'll dig it out and put it on by the time you reach the West Coast?

I have several outfits on tour with us so I can choose which one I'd like to wear on the day. The tuxedo outfit is great, but the delicate fishnet on the pants causes a problem on the pancake spins because the rhinestones and heart cuff links get stuck! If you watch the last spin at Olympics Gala, you can see me rip my sleeve off my pants. I'm tweaking it now so I can wear it again. I love that costume.

13. (From Carole in San Jose, CA) I have read that you will be doing a cameo role in the movie Blades of Glory" and have seen the preview of your upcoming appearance on the Kathy Griffin Show on BRAVO. Did you enjoy doing these skits and are there any other non-competitive TV appearances you have planned or would like to do? I'm looking forward to seeing you in COI in August.

I don't have anymore TV things coming up. The thing I'm most excited about is my photo shoot with Blackbook Magazine. I had a lot of fun that day and it comes through in the pictures. I didn't do an interview, I just took pictures, so technically I was a model for the day. Just a warning though, the pictures are very androgynous and the clothes aren't anything I'd wear every day, but it's a fashion spread so it was bound to be a bit weird. I loved it anyway.

14. (From Anthony in Pittsburgh, PA) Dear Johnny, you were spectacular in COI - it was so breathtaking to see you perform in person! With the figure skating season fast approaching, what are your thoughts on other skaters coming into this season? Who do you see as your biggest competitors, and what will you do to see that you achieve everything you want to this year?

As cliché as this sounds, I'm my own biggest competitor. I screwed myself last season and I don't want that to happen again. For another National title, Lysacek is my biggest rival. On the Grand Prix and Worlds there's a slew of people, the Japanese, Russians, Canadians, French, Swiss, and the list keeps going. Hopefully I can be the first American to win Worlds in a long time.

15. (From Abigail in Illinois) Johnny - great to hear y'all are doing well on tour and having a blast - that's always important! My question is: What has been your favorite and least favorite moment while on tour so far, and why? (Please explain.) Thanks! Have a WONDERFUL rest of the summer and an AWESOME, AWESOME Birthday! Luv ya,

My favorite moments come when I skate well. My best cities have been Philadelphia, Boston, and Long Island. I love feeling like I gave people their money's worth. :) I also love the bonds I've made with the other skaters this year. I am more open to people this year I think and I've gotten to know people very well. We're like a family. I am especially close with Rudy and the Russians. I am really excited to be so comfortable and relaxed with everyone and we can all talk and help each other through anything, and there's a lot of stuff going down with this long tour so it's good to have a support system. The worst moments are when I don't skate well or when we travel too much because I get really cranky from both. I also hate being away from the people I love, it's hard.

16. (From Chris in Rutherford, NJ) If you could ask your fans one question, what would it be?

I'm glad that all of you have found a community and support system in each other, how does it affect you guys?

17. (From Veronica in Frederick, Maryland) Hi Johnny!! If you were given the chance to meet any one person (someone whom you've never met before), deceased or still living, who would it be and why?

Christina Aguilera, no contest. She's my idol and it's everyone’s dream to meet their idol.

18. (From Brian in Florida) I’d like to know if he had a hard time fitting in at high school and if so how did he deal?

I didn't have trouble because I wasn't there too often. When I was though, I was very confident in the fact that I had higher aspirations than smoking in a bathroom or not paying attention and failing Algebra or French. I also had an understanding that school is very important, but in no way does it define who you are. I wasn't very popular or anything, but I was always nice and considerate of other people. I treated teachers and students the same. In school, the teachers aren't cops, and people lose sight of that and give them a hard time. Teachers are there to help teach you and guide you, and I was lucky with most of mine. The bad teachers are the ones that use their position to demean and terrorize their students because "they can." School is a mixed blessing. Fitting in isn't important to me so I didn't notice how much I didn't fit in, but that is for each person to decide.

19. (From Larissa from Moscow) Dear Johnny, everybody knows that you're always very kind to your fans and always sign autographs and pose for pictures. But I understand that it can be very hard to be in the center of attention all the time and to smile when you feel tired or unhappy about something. We're all human beings, after all, so each of us needs some time to be on their own, time to rest, reflect and simply be alone. People often recognize you in the street and you're usually happy to chat to them, which is very nice I think because it means so much to the fans. How do you deal with this when you want to be on your own, but people around might expect something different from you at the moment? I'm looking forward to seeing you in Moscow again. Wish you good luck with your new programs and hope you have a great season.

I still think it's so amazing that people come up to me to chat and ask for autographs and things. I do get tired very quickly, but that doesn't mean you can't be pleasant. If someone takes their time to speak and be friendly, you have to do the same, I don't care if you're an ice skater or an international pop sensation, support is priceless. I always try to take time and meet my fans whenever I can. They support me, and I support them.

20. (From Meredith in California) Hey Johnny! First of all, I'm very happy to hear that you are having fun and that your life is going great! My question is: Were the equestrian competitions that you used to do similar in any way to the figure skating competitions? Was the pressure different, and how did you handle it now and then? I could use some advice!

It was different because it was almost as if I was on a team with my horse. The judging was just as strict and at times as corrupt as figure skating and I suppose as an athlete and performer I like that! It pushes you to be better than they can imagine so they can't place you somewhere they think you deserve, you have to strive to be a surprise for them. When you're young it's always easy to compete, as you get older and more mature it's more difficult to collect yourself and your thoughts so competing is harder now than ever, regardless what I'm competing in.

21. (From Koala in China) I’ve just learned that the music of your new LP is Persian. Will you be choosing a costume with a Persian style for yourself? Longing for your new show. Thank you, and good luck to you and your family.

I would like to have a costume with Persian flavor and a flavor of the Middle East or some nod to tradition of that culture, but I won't be wearing purple and gold pajamas or anything. I want my costumes to be classy and have style while utilizing the character of the music.

22. (From Lila in California) Hey Johnny, I know you didn't have the greatest high school experience but I'd love to know what were some of your favorite subjects and if you participated in any sports or were you too busy with skating? THANKS YOU'RE AMAZING!

My favorite subjects were history and French and I didn't have any extra time for team sports. I was always driven by solidarity and I think that helped me get through high school with good grades and a strong work ethic. I love to learn.

23. (From Sue in Georgia) Hi, Johnny. I'm looking for a little insight into your likes. I love raspberries, being awakened by birds chirping in the morning, walks on the beach in cool weather, an afternoon nap on the week-end, spending time with friends, singing along to my favorite songs in my car, surprising friends/family with unexpected cards or gifts. And you?

Hmm...I like a lot of things. I love to go on long car trips, sing along to my CDs and get lost in the miles of highway. I like to get presents for my friends and family when they least expect it. I love that I have a lot of strange eccentricities. I love going over to a friend’s house and just relaxing and watching a movie and talking about the world and ideas. One of my favorite things to do, which is kind of geeky, is to watch international news programs. There's a station in Delaware that broadcasts BBC, French News, and DWTV (German News), all in a row and I love seeing what's going on in Europe. There's so much I love about life, but for now that's all I can go through because I have many other questions to go through.

24. (From Rebecca in Texas) In the hypothetical world, if there was a movie made about you. What actor do you think would portray you the best?

I think Adrian Brody. He has a very expressive face and can play many different roles well and make them believable. I loved him in 'The Pianist.'

25. (From Susie in Portland, Oregon) Hi Johnny. I'm happy to hear all is well and you are enjoying the tour. I look forward to seeing you in Portland on July 30th. Will the new exhibition program you mentioned be ready by then or are you planning on using My Way for the rest of the tour? Take care and have fun!

I'll pick and choose which cities get 'My Way' and which cities get the new program. I just get bored doing the same thing night after night so I had to change it up. We'll see. By the end of July I'll need to be training while doing the show, so whichever one I feel pushes me more, I'll do.

26. (From Raluca in Romania) Hey Johnny! I'm so glad that you are enjoying summer and tour.  What was your biggest achievement since you became a figure skater?

It's not always a success, but juggling a strong personal life and strong professional life has been a huge step and has made me a stronger person. I'm proud that I can have both and still be somewhat normal. Professionally speaking, my biggest achievement has been my three National titles in a row, especially my first title.

27. (From Miho in Tucson, AZ) Hi, Johnny. Thank you for taking time to write all your Angels. It was very nice hearing from you - you are very sweet! I like Russian culture and loved Oksana Baiul's skating too. Have you ever met Oksana? Enjoy COI and your free time!! I will be there in Phoenix.

I've met Oksana on several occasions and she's very sweet and not that crazy. She has been a huge inspiration for me and she is very supportive of me and my skating and that was crazy for me!

28. (From juju in Japan) Hi, Johnny. I'm glad to know that Marina Anissina will choreograph your free program. I think she is a dramatic skater. Why have you decided to work with her? And do you think that you will need some change of your style of skating for new season? Thanks for sharing your time for answers.

I definitely need to reinvent myself. I chose to work with Marina because she is a very strong skater in her own right, I'm her first elite singles skater, and because we click very well. I like her because she doesn't bullshit me. When I asked her if she'd work with me she said it won't be easy, and I want to give you a fresh face and there is a lot to improve upon. She wants the same things I want and that makes me feel strongly about her. We'll work very hard to make a first class program, because not only is it my name on the line, it's hers as well.

29. (From Jennifer in California) Hello Johnny - You've done some really fun, creative photo shoots (the "Farewell to Camille" was priceless!) with such talented photographers. Can you tell us a little bit about your shoot for the upcoming issue of Black Book Magazine? Who did you work with on this project? Looking forward to seeing you in the San Francisco COI!

I worked with a really talented photographer who only uses natural lights for his shots. I worked in the Splashlight Studios in NYC. There was a whole studio for us to work in and we had a great time. I was a model that day so no interview or anything, so I just got made up, put in some crazy clothes and posed. It was so much fun. A $30,000 Dior Homme jacket was flown in from Dubai for me. I also posed in a lot of Chanel and McQueen. It was fun. You'll see! The magazine hits the stands in August.

30. (From Kaori in Colorado) Hi Johnny! I can't wait until you come to Denver, CO for COI. From this COI tour, whose program out of everyone's, but not including yours, do you like the most? And why?

There is a great balance of fast and slow numbers in the show. I have two favorite numbers and two acts that I watch every night. The first is Irina Slutskaya's 'Big Spender' program. She looks like she has so much fun when she skates and the music and costume work perfectly for her. She skates well every night and always jumps unlike some of the others. The energy is great. I also love Marina Anissina and Gwendal Peizerat's Spanish number. Star Wars is good too, but I prefer the Spanish one. I like to watch Marina because when she gives me pointers and things I watch her to get an idea as to what she wants from me. Her eyes and face are so expressive and that's one of my biggest problems I have to overcome. Tatyana and Max have a great number as well, but I rarely get to see it because I'm changing for the finale while they skate.

31. (From Inna in Odessa, Ukraine) Hey, Johnny!!!!! Do you like children!? And when you feel ready to become a father, will you prefer a boy or a girl?

I love some children. I am still at the point where I like them when they're clean and cute and funny. I wouldn't be able to do the diaper thing quite yet. I would like a little girl one day.

32. (From mi kyeng in Korea) I’m happy to hear that you are enjoying the tour. What do you usually do in your free time?

On the tour we shop, go out for sushi and just enjoy each other’s company. I'm also becoming quite a wine aficionado, but that doesn't make me a lush! :-) I just relax when I have free time, even if it's being alone in my room for a few hours and working on my skin!

33. (From Lucie in the Czech Republic) Hi Johnny, I read that you'd like to become a fashion designer in the future. Would you prefer to create fashion for men or for women? Why? Wishing you all the best for the next season. You rock!

I would like to launch a line for both men and women and homewares. Women will probably come first because there's a bigger demographic of women who shop than men and it would be easier to get my name out there. Men also aren't quite as trendy or explorative in fashion and my line will be for the glamour people of the world! I'd love to do homewares because there are so many things I personally want, but aren't made. My favorite things are big unfinished fur blankets and very over the top, ornate, Peterhof style pieces of furniture.

34. (From Marina in Moscow) Hey, Johnny. What do you feel when you see that someone wears the same clothes or handbag that you have? Thanks. Enjoy your life.

I try very hard to find things that nobody else has. I have a lot of Louis Vuitton, and so does the world, so that's tough to be an individual with, but I style myself in such a way that it's doubtful that someone will have the exact same outfit as me. It also helps that I travel so much and shop wherever I go, so I won't have the same clothes as someone in my town who usually just runs to Abercrombie and Fitch when they need clothes. I also am more of a collector of clothes than a consumer. I find original pieces, and do my best with wearing them.

35. (From Brandi in Texas) Hey Johnny. Boxers or briefs? Just kidding! If you had a teleporter and could beam yourself anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do?

I wear whatever underwear goes with the clothes. I would use it to go everywhere, I hate airplanes and buses.

36. (From Janina in Germany) Hi Johnny. With all that traveling that you do, I wondered - do you have a favorite monument? And what's on Johnny's sightseeing list for the future? Fashion boutiques don't count! :-) Enjoy your summer and take care!

I thought it was so spiritual and intense when I walked on the Great Wall of China. I don't know if I'll ever have that opportunity again so I maximized it and spent three or fours hours walking it. Of course, I also love Red Square in Moscow. There is so much history there and so much depth mixed with the modern matryoshka salesmen and food carts. I love seeing places like that. While I was in Italy there was a beautiful house on Via Roma. It was deserted and under construction so I broke in just to see it. I love the feeling of history and oldness, as odd as that sounds!

37. (From Ellen in Boston, MA) I was psyched to see the film Velvet Goldmine listed among your favorites, because I loved that movie. If you ever skated an exhibition program to one of the songs from the soundtrack, which one would you choose? Hugs and best wishes for the upcoming season!!

Probably 'Tumbling Down.' I love the piano in it and the highs and lows throughout the song.

38. (From Casey in Morris, MN) Dear Johnny, in your message to the site you mentioned that you're saving up for a house. I was just wondering what sorts of color schemes and styles you're thinking of using. Are you going to decorate it all yourself, or isn't that something that interests you? Good luck in 06-07!

I am very bipolar with my decorating sense. I'm very nostalgic and love old styles, but I also love ultra modern pieces that don't look like furniture at all. For my first house I'll decorate in the fashion of Peterhof, very over the top, ornate and decadent. I just found a beautiful fur throw that will inspire the whole house. Luxury and comfort.

39. (From Julie Redbird, Washington, DC) Hi Johnny! I was wondering, if your fairy godmother flew into your room one night and said with a flick of her magic wand, she could change anything about you (inside or out) would you want anything to be different? Many blessings!

I wish I weren’t so judgmental or jealous. I wish I could let things slide off my back all the time, but I'm uber sensitive and always have an opinion so it makes things difficult.

40. (From Nozomi in Japan) Hi, Johnny! You're going to come to Japan for DOI in July, aren't you? What are you going to perform there? I think I'm happy that you tell it a bit.

I will be performing 'My Way' and 'Desert Rose.' I'll have a new costume for 'Desert Rose' made by Rest. I'm so excited to return to Japan. I haven't been since last September so I wanna see how small the cell phones have gotten and what the current fashions and styles are. The Japanese are the most progressive stylists in the world in my opinion.

41. (From Lisa in Newark, DE) Hi, Johnny. What qualities do you think are essential in a coach in order to bring out the best in their students (particularly young skaters under 8 yrs old)? Thank you so much!

Understanding. A coach who is only a coach for the money can't possibly get through to a child. The coach also must remember that they were that level once too and understand that different people have different issues with certain elements. I also believe a coach should have skated in their life.

42. (From Sandra in France) If you have to choose ONE symbol (religious, cultural or esoteric) to represent your way of being or your way of thinking, what would it be? (but maybe the answer is already among your necklace's charms...)

This is a hard one! I think a star is my symbol. A star doesn't know how it got where it is, or where it is going, or even what it is, but it keeps on sparkling. That's how I like to live. No matter what, keep on shining.

43. (From Shannon in Florida) Have you considered yet whether you will be adding a quad to either of your programs this season?

I really want a quad in both programs.

44. (From La'Tisha in New York) Do you ever worry about becoming too famous, about not being able to go places without being chased by fans or paparazzi?

Certainly not. I'm a figure skater. I know Evgeny and Irina have paparazzi in Russia, but I don't here. I can't imagine that. I'm surprised the paparazzi haven't made more famous people quit what they do. It's such a nuisance. It's as if you're under house arrest and you can't do anything freely.

45. (From Alenushkaa in Ukraine) Dear Johnny, it is pleasant, that you in spite of your employment could have allotted the time for the communication with fans. You have already said about your future programs. Will you, as a future designer, create your costumes by yourself? Thanks so much for the answer.

I have my opinions and ideas, but so do the people in my inner circle. I take everything under consideration, but generally I do what I want. 'The Swan' was a huge hit, and I didn't have any say in it really, so maybe I'll learn from that!

46. (From Adrienne in Fort Washington, MD) I notice when you skate that before you take center ice you wipe the excess ice off of your blade. I've never noticed any other skater do this - why do you?

It's a nervous twitch. I wipe my blades like crazy and make sure they're ready to go! They've gotta be clean and shiny to start. If they aren't, then the program won't be clean and shiny!

Read more fan Q&A's with Johnny:

2007/2008 Season

2006/2007 Season (Part 1)

2005/2006 Season (Part 2)

2005/2006 Season (Part 1)

2004/2005 Season (Part 2)

2004/2005 Season (Part 1)

2003/2004 Season (Part 2)

2003/2004 Season (Part 1)

2002/2003 Season

2001/2002 Season