Suzuki aiming higher following best season of career

Mrs. P · May 21, 2012

Olympia said:
Back to Akiko: has she ever performed abroad in any shows or other exhibitions? (I mean, any not connected to a competition, obviously.) I can't offhand recall.

Also, is she aware of the level of her international popularity? I sure hope so. She deserves to know how happy she makes so many skating fans.

I think so!

I remember in 2010, she tweeted a letter she received from one of the stars of West Side Story. I remember thinking, "how cool!" and then "she deserved it" because she skated to that music so well!

Olympia · May 21, 2012

No kidding? That's impressive. I wonder if it was George Chakiris. I had such a huge crush on him in the movie. He was a dancer and did a tremendous job as Bernardo. Whichever star it was, that was a lovely and considerate gesture.

Mrs. P · May 22, 2012

Olympia said:
No kidding? That's impressive. I wonder if it was George Chakiris. I had such a huge crush on him in the movie. He was a dancer and did a tremendous job as Bernardo. Whichever star it was, that was a lovely and considerate gesture.

It was from George Chakiris! Per this article (http://www.haaba.com/news/2010/02/19/1-388305/olympicsfskate-suzuki-delight-at-oscar-winners-praise), which was published right before she competed at the Olympics:

Japanese figure skater Akiko Suzuki revealed her delight Friday at receiving a letter from Academy Award-winning actor George Chakiris praising her on her free skate to West Side Story.

Chakiris won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role of Bernardo in the 1961 movie version of West Side Story.

And Suzuki will be portraying Maria in her free skate on February 25.

"When I trained with Shae-Lynn Bourne in Toronto she recommended I skate to West Side Story," she explained.

"I reminded her of the character of Maria, because it's similar to my own personal character - emotional with strong mind and strong heart.

"George Chakiris sent me a letter thanking me for using West Side Story and he wished me all the best at the Olympic Games.

"He said he's looking forward to my performance."

periperi · May 22, 2012

Aw, that's wonderful! Thanks for the link to the article, Mrs. P. I'd never read about George Chakiris praising her LP to West Side Story! :yay:

demarinis5 · May 22, 2012

I loved Akiko's West Side Story! She really captured the character and music of that era. Thanks for the article.

Olympia · May 22, 2012

Mrs. P said:
It was from George Chakiris! Per this article (http://www.haaba.com/news/2010/02/19/1-388305/olympicsfskate-suzuki-delight-at-oscar-winners-praise), which was published right before she competed at the Olympics:

That's delightful. Thanks so much for the quote. Can you imagine what it must have meant to Akiko to get such a communication?

Suzuki aiming higher following best season of career

Mrs. P

Uno, Dos, twizzle!

Olympia

Mrs. P

Uno, Dos, twizzle!

periperi

demarinis5

Gold for the Winter Prince!

Olympia

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