Elizaveta Tuktamysheva

[CaroLiza_fan]

I've had the opposite internet experience myself. I've been stricken with illness and bed bound for going on seven days straight bugging everyone on GS and FB. Sad thing is until today I haven't even been able to get on my computer to edit videos due to the mobility issues to make videos. My iPhone has done well keeping me connected but limited in many ways. Oh well ... Good health is on the horizon and there is no need to fret over me.

Awww, Sam. Sorry to hear you are ill. I hope it's not too serious.

But, you are always a breath of fresh air on Golden Skate, so even though I haven't really had a chance yet to check everything that was going on in my absence, I'm not complaining that you were "bugging everyone"!

For the internet, well, it wasn't until this week that I have come to realise how much I rely on it! There was so much I could have been doing that I couldn't because I had no internet access. Like, I couldn't even get started on my last Fan Fest update because I didn't have access to the source materials!

But, at least it gave me a chance to catch up on other things.

Nothing really. She posted a pic in a swimsuit but was kind of pulling down on one side with a "come hither" sort of look. It wasn't that bad really but there wasn't much left to the imagination. She is a confident young woman now and if the Ex is any indication ...ready to be flirtatious about it.

Back to the topic, and from the description you gave of the photo, and everything else that has happened in the past month or so, I am getting very concerned about Liza.

Yes, there's an old cliché that "if you've got it, flaunt it". But, she's flaunting it too much now.

I know I said a few pages back (at the end of this comment) that the "Get Low" EX would alienate fans. But, I think that these suggestive pictures have the potential to alienate far more.

Put it like this, it has already alienated me...

I don't know whether it was Liza herself or somebody on her team. But whoever made the decision to suddenly transform Liza into a sex goddess has made a big mistake.

One of the things about teenage skaters that draws fans in is that they have an innocence about them. Let's face it, that is part of what makes them so successful in competition, in the interpretation. But, Liza has lost that innocnence now. Big time.

I have been a massive fan of Liza since she first turned Senior. And I have fancied her for a long time as well. But, the fact that I am no longer finding her attractive says that something has gone badly wrong with her image.

I just hope that her skating this season will counter-balance the image she is projecting off the ice.

Skating related I'm eager to see Liza get her jumps back via video clips. Outside of the split jump on that Exhibition number she looked a bit underwhelming. I guess it's just the offseason and all but her jumps are so impressive it's weird to see her performing without them as the highlight. Know what I mean? I suppose patience will be key because it's likely we may not see anything until the public test skates.

I only watched that routine once, and that was a good few weeks ago. And I don't want to watch it again (you will remember how vocal I was about the choice of "music"!) But, from what I remember, the skating wasn't the best we've seen from her.

Although it was a bit worrying, I'm not too concerned by a poor performance in an off-season show. After all, there is still plenty of time to get the skating polished before the Grand Prix Series starts.

If I were in her team, I would be more concerned about making sure she doesn't go off the rails in the meantime...

Not that I expect her to. It's just that there are worrying signs...

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Sweet Dream]

http://www.sports.ru/others/figure-skating/1031542503.html
It said that a new choreographer named Richard Benoit has joined Liza's team (I have never heard about this guy). Finally she selected the music of her two programs for the new season, but she still wanted to keep a secret for the moment.

 

[satine]

http://www.sports.ru/others/figure-skating/1031542503.html
It said that a new choreographer named Richard Benoit has joined Liza's team (I have never heard about this guy). Finally she selected the music of her two programs for the new season, but she still wanted to keep a secret for the moment.

Thanks for translating Whatever she chose, I'm sure it will be lively.

 

[adelia]

http://www.sports.ru/others/figure-skating/1031542503.html
It said that a new choreographer named Richard Benoit has joined Liza's team (I have never heard about this guy). Finally she selected the music of her two programs for the new season, but she still wanted to keep a secret for the moment.

Benoit Richaud, former ice dancer. He's also done a program for Nugumanova this season.

 

[karne]

Oh dear, Caro_Lizafan...she is young, she is beautiful, and in spite of the abuse hurled her way, she is clearly proud of and confident with her body. And nothing she has done is really bad. She posted a suggestive photograph in a one-piece swimsuit that showed little more than some shoulder and a bit of cleavage. I dislike the exhibition, but she is far from the first and she certainly won't be the last to make questionable exhibition choices - Jeremy, for example, has made a just as questionable one this summer, and he is far older and presumably wiser than Liza!

One photo, and one questionable ex choice, does not mean Liza is going to go off the rails. And I certainly don't expect her to retain her innocence forever. She is eighteen now - she will be nineteen this season - she is not our pretty little Princess anymore, she has grown into a beautiful Queen, and she is an adult. I am sure those around her advise her - but she would not be the first or last eighteen year old to toss aside the advise of those older than her!

We have seen many of the men wearing far less than Liza was in the swimsuit shot - including the King himself - and heard of much worse trouble that young skaters have got themselves in. If this was a boy - would you be saying the same thing?

 

[TheGrandSophy]

CaroLizaFan, here is Guillaume Cizeron's Instagram. Now Guillaume has many a picture in swimsuits and with clothes somewhat disarranged (bless him, his Instagram is a delight for the androsexual even if he does love to pout). Now, is it his gender or the two years he has on Liza that makes that acceptable and Guillaume not to have to stay in perpetua an innocent encased in amber?

I am genuinely sorry if that sounds too snarky. I am not meaning to be rude, but I really think you have unrealistic expectations of an adult woman with her own agency and freedom to express herself as she wishes.

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

I know, I know! I'm being too protective. She's grown up now, so we have to let her act her age, etc.

But, it still doesn't mean I have to like it.

karne - I haven't actually seen the photo that has prompted this latest discussion (as I said, my internet has been down, and it is not coming up on Liza's various social networking profiles). My comment was based on Sam's description of this photo, and on various other things we have seen over the past few months.

So, my apologies if this particular photo is not as bad as I am imagining.

And it is great that Liza has come through all the abuse she was getting (*cough* Skyfly *cough*) about her weight, and has matured into an extremely beautiful young woman.

I do still find Liza beautiful. It's just that, my feelings have also changed in that time. I have fallen big time for another (slightly older) girl. And more's the pity! (You will know what I mean by that, karne).

TheGrandSophy - don't worry, I don't think you are being rude or snarky. We all have our own opinions on things. The world would be a much more boring place if we all agreed on everything. And, if that were the case, there would be no need for fora like this, which would be a real shame.

As for having unrealistic expectations, yeah, that's probably right!

I've never been one for going on nights out (even when I was that age, I was more interested in nights in with the TV), so I would say I am definitely out of touch with what girls in their late teens/early twenties get up to. (And that is probably why I get shocked with a lot of the photos I see on Facebook of them on nights out!)

Maybe that is why I'm not having much success...

CaroLiza_fan

EDIT: Sorry, forgot to address the comments about if it were a bloke.

Yeah, I would be the same. In fact, I would probably be protesting even more, as I don't want to be looking at half-bare-naked men!!!

 

[Tutto]

http://www.sports.ru/others/figure-skating/1031542503.html
It said that a new choreographer named Richard Benoit has joined Liza's team (I have never heard about this guy). Finally she selected the music of her two programs for the new season, but she still wanted to keep a secret for the moment.

What it says exactly is that:

'In order to cover all angles we got specialists in SS and choreo, Richard Benoit work specifically on arm [movements] and transitions. Nikita Mikhailov and Vahtang Murvanidze help with step [sequences].
About new programs: There is a certainty. I still don’t disclose music, want to keep it a secret. It took a long time to choose the music, we could not stop on anything. But now everything is finally decided, and I have already began working on the programs with my new choreographer Richard Benoit. I am not a bit disappointed in music selections which show my strong and vibrant character'

The plot thickens! So I take it Stephane's Grieg program's gone? Very interesting...

To Caroliza_fan: I kind of agree with you that Liza's image is changing and maybe in not the way we like but if she feels comfortable with it so be it. But the problem is it is such a thin line between being sensual/provocative and downright vulgar. Will she be able to balance on the right side of things I am not sure (in fact after the Ex I am not sure at all)?

 

[Lipea]

To Caroliza_fan: I kind of agree with you that Liza's image is changing and maybe in not the way we like but if she feels comfortable with it so be it. But the problem is it is such a thin line between being sensual/provocative and downright vulgar. Will she be able to balance on the right side of things I am not sure (in fact after the Ex I am not sure at all)?

For some reason, I am sure that this image (sexual, provocative, on the edge of being vulgar) is Mishin's idea/strategy, that just turned to fit Liza's young wish to be seen sexually attractive. Just thinking of Plushy, his Sex-bomb EX, his sometimes cheesy music choice, - Liza now reminds me of this, and I certainly see one big smiling face in it - Mishin's. He knows that some won't like this image, but he knows what he does on the larger scale: attracts more attention and interest towards her, and with this attention her technical mastery will be seen even more impressive; in addition, gets more popularity = more sponsors.
So I am not worried about it at all. I am entertained

 

[Tutto]

For some reason, I am sure that this image (sexual, provocative, on the edge of being vulgar) is Mishin's idea/strategy, that just turned to fit Liza's young wish to be seen sexually attractive. Just thinking of Plushy, his Sex-bomb EX, his sometimes cheesy music choice, - Liza now reminds me of this, and I certainly see one big smiling face in it - Mishin's. He knows that some won't like this image, but he knows what he does on the larger scale: attracts more attention and interest towards her, and with this attention her technical mastery will be seen even more impressive; in addition, gets more popularity = more sponsors.
So I am not worried about it at all. I am entertained

I agree Mr Mishin's influence is clearly indicated. Ohh how I wish he left the choreo side of things to the professionals! :hopelessness:

But is it really only way to attract more attention & sponsors? Julia got lots of sponsors without going that route. I would hope that Liza has more class & taste than cheesy music choices & choreo. But I reserve my judgement till we get to see new programs.

 

[Meoima]

Liza will be 19 soon, it's normal for girls her age to be sexy and proud of her own attractiveness. Just saying...

 

[silverfoxes]

One photo, and one questionable ex choice, does not mean Liza is going to go off the rails. And I certainly don't expect her to retain her innocence forever. She is eighteen now - she will be nineteen this season - she is not our pretty little Princess anymore, she has grown into a beautiful Queen, and she is an adult. I am sure those around her advise her - but she would not be the first or last eighteen year old to toss aside the advise of those older than her!

We have seen many of the men wearing far less than Liza was in the swimsuit shot - including the King himself - and heard of much worse trouble that young skaters have got themselves in. If this was a boy - would you be saying the same thing?

CaroLizaFan, here is Guillaume Cizeron's Instagram. Now Guillaume has many a picture in swimsuits and with clothes somewhat disarranged (bless him, his Instagram is a delight for the androsexual even if he does love to pout). Now, is it his gender or the two years he has on Liza that makes that acceptable and Guillaume not to have to stay in perpetua an innocent encased in amber?

I am genuinely sorry if that sounds too snarky. I am not meaning to be rude, but I really think you have unrealistic expectations of an adult woman with her own agency and freedom to express herself as she wishes.

Liza will be 19 soon, it's normal for girls her age to be sexy and proud of her own attractiveness. Just saying...

:thumbsup: CaroLiza_fan, this is more general than directed at you, because I know your heart is in the right place. But it drives me batty the way young female skaters are expected to always "be a lady" and nitpicked to death over every little thing they choose to do. I hardly see any of that attitude toward male skaters. If Liza were 15 or 16 I could understand more of the pearl-clutching, but she has to be allowed to grow up at some point. She's hardly turning into Lindsay Lohan just because she showed a bit of cleavage. Skating is her priority, but if she wants to have fun and she's not breaking any laws or ISU rules, so what? She's only young once.

 

[plushyfan]

Liza will be 19 soon, it's normal for girls her age to be sexy and proud of her own attractiveness. Just saying...

yes, this is so natural!!!!!:thumbsup::yes: I really don't understand wht is the problem!!!! I remember when I was in same age...

 

[Tutto]

yes, this is so natural!!!!!:thumbsup::yes: I really don't understand wht is the problem!!!! I remember when I was in same age...

The discussion is taking a strange turn I think. If we all now start recalling what we'd done at the same age... well... but we are not World Champions are we? (at least I know I am not) and 18 turning 19 is a practically middle age in figure skating!
Caroliza_fan voiced some concerns with which I happen to agree but waiting for new programs

 

[StitchMonkey]

I think Liza has been behaving very normally for an 18 year old young women. I don't see harm in seeing normal in skaters.

The swimsuit pic while attractive, was also very normal and very much the same as thousands if not millions of 18 year old women post online everyday.

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

The discussion is taking a strange turn I think. If we all now start recalling what we'd done at the same age... well... but we are not World Champions are we? (at least I know I am not) and 18 turning 19 is a practically middle age in figure skating!
Caroliza_fan voiced some concerns with which I happen to agree but waiting for new programs

Thank you for saying this, Melissa. Because I think that the more the conversation was progressing, the more people were forgetting that Liza is NOT a normal teenager any more.

Liza is in a very different position to what she was in just a year ago. A year ago, she was just one of many Russian Ladies skaters who, in the throws of all the hysteria surrounding Sotnikova and Lipnitskaya, were trying to remind everybody that they existed. Frankly, she could have done anything, and few except her die-hard fans would have batted an eyelid.

Now, she is a Grand Prix, European and World Champion. And everything has changed.

Liza has gone from being the forgotten skating star to being the face of Russian Figure Skating. Sotnikova and Lipnitsdkaya are no longer the poster girls of Russian skating; Tuktamysheva is THE poster girl.

Liza is now the skater that all the magazines want to interview, and want to have on their covers. She is the one that companies want to appear in their adverts. And, because of all this, she has become the role model for all the little girls in Russia who want to become Ice Princesses.

And that is why Liza has to be very careful about what image she projects. Because, she will be expected to be the perfect role model for little girls.

Everything she does will come under scrutiny. Hey, we're doing it here already!

Doing things like taking racy photos or skating to "music" of questionable taste are not the sort of things that are expected of role models. The media, her fans and parents of the little girls could turn against her very quickly. And if that happens, her sponsors will pull out, as they do not want to be associated with that sort of behaviour.

In the worst case scenario, her federation could turn against her as well. And we certainly do not want that! (We've seen often enough in the past how that can destroy a successful skater's career).

So, what I am trying to say is that it is much better for everybody concerned for Liza to just continue to project the image of the innocent Ice Princess. Or else, there is the danger that everything could come crashing down around her. Which would be a real travesty.

And that is why I want to protect her.

All of what I have said can be summed up in the following quotation:

"With great power comes great resposibility" (Ben Parker).

CaroLiza_fan

 

[silverfoxes]

So, what I am trying to say is that it is much better for everybody concerned for Liza to just continue to project the image of the innocent Ice Princess. Or else, there is the danger that everything could come crashing down around her. Which would be a real travesty.

And that is why I want to protect her.

And this is why I don't really follow ladies' skating, in a nutshell. It's 2015 for crying out loud.

I like Liza because she isn't the typical "ice princess." I hope she continues to be herself and doesn't change or censor anything she wants to do. There are enough of those boring skaters already.

 

[adelia]

Thank you for saying this, Melissa. Because I think that the more the conversation was progressing, the more people were forgetting that Liza is NOT a normal teenager any more.

Liza is in a very different position to what she was in just a year ago. A year ago, she was just one of many Russian Ladies skaters who, in the throws of all the hysteria surrounding Sotnikova and Lipnitskaya, were trying to remind everybody that they existed. Frankly, she could have done anything, and few except her die-hard fans would have batted an eyelid.

Now, she is a Grand Prix, European and World Champion. And everything has changed.

Liza has gone from being the forgotten skating star to being the face of Russian Figure Skating. Sotnikova and Lipnitsdkaya are no longer the poster girls of Russian skating; Tuktamysheva is THE poster girl.

Liza is now the skater that all the magazines want to interview, and want to have on their covers. She is the one that companies want to appear in their adverts. And, because of all this, she has become the role model for all the little girls in Russia who want to become Ice Princesses.

And that is why Liza has to be very careful about what image she projects. Because, she will be expected to be the perfect role model for little girls.

Everything she does will come under scrutiny. Hey, we're doing it here already!

Doing things like taking racy photos or skating to "music" of questionable taste are not the sort of things that are expected of role models. The media, her fans and parents of the little girls could turn against her very quickly. And if that happens, her sponsors will pull out, as they do not want to be associated with that sort of behaviour.

In the worst case scenario, her federation could turn against her as well. And we certainly do not want that! (We've seen often enough in the past how that can destroy a successful skater's career).

So, what I am trying to say is that it is much better for everybody concerned for Liza to just continue to project the image of the innocent Ice Princess. Or else, there is the danger that everything could come crashing down around her. Which would be a real travesty.

And that is why I want to protect her.

All of what I have said can be summed up in the following quotation:

"With great power comes great resposibility" (Ben Parker).

CaroLiza_fan

Sigh. Liza isn't the face of Russian skating, that's Adelina. She is not the skater that everyone wants on their covers or wants in their adverts. That's Adelina and Yulia. Adelina has Nike and KLM as sponsors. Yulia has Adidas. Liza has Herbalife. That about sums it up for you. Olympic gold > Worlds/Euro gold. That's just reality. "Racy" photos is your description, not everyone agrees. If Rus Fed were to turn against skaters for the so-called "racy" image that you think Liza is projecting then they would have no skater left to back. Take a look at the instagrams and vk pages of other Russian skaters. They all have sexy pictures posted there. Even the younger ones have bikini pictures. There is nothing wrong with that.

 

[sabinfire]

What's the big deal? I didn't care for the EX though I didn't think of it as shocking.

The 'swimsuit picture' reaction is really a mystery to me, though. It's a black&white photo of a one-piece swimsuit, and as karne mentioned, really only shows the shoulders and upper chest-area. I think this qualifies as modest by most 18-year-old girls/women?

It is the summertime and plenty of people (including skaters) are photographed in swimsuits. As I noted a few pages back, I have seen many skaters posting pics lately in far less modest swimsuits (the two-piece variety) -- off the top of my head: Polina Edmunds, Maria Artemieva, Maria Stavitskaya, Elene Gedevanishvili, Elena Ilinykh, Kaetlyn Osmond, and many others. (I am not calling out anyone specifically for criticism, I am just pointing out how normal this is.)

Though if I understand you correctly, CL_fan, I think you are saying that Liza should be held to higher standards than any of these other girls.

 

[satine]

Just to point out, there is something between Innocent Princess & Lustful Siren. As a matter of fact, most women (even the very young ones) fall between these two categories.