Ice dance teams where the man is the "diva"?
- Thread starter Mathman
- Start date
Allison moves beautifully, perfect compliment, but imv he is the star 
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- Jun 21, 2003
Sometimes, though, definitions merge. My favorite opera singer from the 1980s was the notorious Kathleen Battle, who behaved so outrageously that she was banned for life by the Metropolitan Opera Company (New York) because bo one would work with her.
The Met relented decades later and gave her a concert this year for which, musically, she returned to her Gospel roots.
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- Mar 7, 2015
Indeed. It does happen but I find that often, the best, most talented artists/athletes, remain very humble.Sometimes, though, definitions merge. My favorite opera singer from the 1980s was the notorious Kathleen Battle, who behaved so outrageously that she was banned for life by the Metropolitan Opera Company (New York) because bo one would work with her.
The Met relented decades later and gave her a concert this year for which, musically, she returned to her Gospel roots.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2013
Sometimes, though, definitions merge. My favorite opera singer from the 1980s was the notorious Kathleen Battle, who behaved so outrageously that she was banned for life by the Metropolitan Opera Company (New York) because bo one would work with her.
The Met relented decades later and gave her a concert this year for which, musically, she returned to her Gospel roots.
I have a friend from the opera world, and his take is that Battle is supernaturally talented, and equally unpleasant.
This reminds me of an ice dancer in the not-too-distant past, who was universally celebrated as a diva... a "yaaasss queen" sort of individual. Everybody loved that, except, apparently.... her partner, who unceremoniously dumped her at a moment when they were undeniably on the rise.
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2003
Agreed I remember reading somewhere that they're in it for another quad at least, so if they don't earn a spot in next year's Olympics they are continuing on. I'm very glad. Even if the Shibs hadn't returned, the ice dance field is insanely crowded in the USA, a few teams are going to be very disappointed. I don't want to guess which three teams will make it to Italy...I don't want to jinx anybody.
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- Sep 1, 2020
I think they are interesting now and would likely be progressing much faster if they were repping a less 'stocked with depth' federation. I agree that Vadym is not a male diva in the same way as some of the men mentioned in this thread. However, in their last season's RD, Vadym was definitely performing to the hilt, like a diva. Of course, Emilea was holding her own, too, in that RD. Yes, Vadym has a way of showing off his partner, as he did with Avonley. Yet, his vibe with Emilea is more raw and earthy than the mesmerizing, other-worldly quality he and Avonley possessed together.
Some observant ice dance fans still critique that Vadym compensates for Emilea's minor yet detectable weaknesses. She came on in their first season like a house on fire, but weaknesses began to show in their sophomore season. She certainly displays musicality and she has a unique feel for ice dance. They are a good match with promising potential. Right now, I think they are still trying to find out what makes them unique together, like most teams attempt to figure out early in their career. Unless you are a team with blazing hot chemistry that sizzles immediately, like with Flores/Desyatov.
Even in the case of Flo/Des, as a young team, there's the constant need to push forward in progressing up the ladder, refining your skills, and navigating the challenges of an ice dance career. What remains memorable and resonant about Flo/Des is their speed, power, passion, and creative collabs with choreographer, Kaitlyn Weaver. The brilliant costumes and innovative choreo for their Poor Things FD will continue to have an impact. Already, as I said earlier, Z/K's choreographer, Benoit, has been inspired to emulate the opening move from Flo/Des' PT FD. And, Pham/ Spirodonov are emulating Flo/Des' successful West Side Story vibe, moves, and costumes in their new season's FD. Anton's costume and movements are especially reminiscent of Desyatov's WSS costuming and movement qualities.
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- May 15, 2024
I'm sorry, but I couldn't see this chemistry, for me they were team with good qualities but there are many teams with good qualities. She tried to build the aura of mutual interest and tension on and off ice while he seemed checked out and uninterested and let her cling to him - and tbh this was awkward both on and off ice. But this is an offtopic because Desyatov deffinetly was never a diva and is no longer ice dancer.
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- Sep 1, 2020
Well, that's your perception. Fair enough in terms of your personal perceptions. Quite a number of fans, new and old, would disagree with you. Many people have commented on Flo/Des' remarkable chemistry, even observers who were not full-fledged fans. I think Isabella Flores possesses an authenticity of expression and a light that shines from the inside out. She was very good with Dmitry Tsarevski. She started her IG when she competed with Dima, in the hopes of eventually being able to monetize in order to help fund her training expenses. She had her first viral video with Dima. When their split abruptly happened, many skaters would not have recovered and returned to competition. But she did, which took courage, self-belief, and determination, along with huge amounts of grace and supportive family and friends. The partnership with Desyatov happened unexpectedly and turned out to be very exciting. They have similar lines, mutual speed, charm, energy, and a great rapport, even though he didn't speak or understand English well in the beginning.
In their first season, Flo/Des won two domestic comps and were second at Ice Dance challenge, precipitating a buzz in the lead up to 2023 U.S. Nationals where they made a huge impression in the RD, but faltered late in the FD due to a costume malfunction. Their spirited and passionate WSS FD at 2024 Nationals received a standing ovation. Plus, they medaled at both of their debut senior international competitions, after successfully overcoming hurdles to obtaining Desyatov's release from Belarus. They were on their way with two great growth-building performances for 2024 - 2025 season and a Skate America assignment, when an allegation, as yet uninvestigated by SS, successfully shuttered their partnership. Again, most skaters would never be able to come back from a second sudden partnership devastation, occurring through no fault of their own. Yet, Isabella Flores, still has a passion to compete in ice dance, and I hope she will eventually be able to fully share her talent without undue hurdles blocking her path.
Your comment that Flores "tried to build the aura of mutual interest and tension on and off the ice," is a strange comment and a complete misreading. She didn't have to try to do anything. The connection between her and Desyatov simply happened and it evolved organically. They share a similar sense of humor and they clearly had fun together with each other and with training colleagues at their rink. Your odd description of Desyatov is undecipherable for me. You are welcome to see whatever you see, but your misperceptions do not affect reality. The fact is, their success as a team and Flores' unprecedented following on IG (which has nothing to do with competitive status and little to do with event results) sparked jealousy in some quarters, sadly, but unsurprisingly.
I don't think USfigsk has known what to make of Flores' huge IG followership. Flo/Des' talent was respected by the federation but they were not a favored team. Flores' IG follower numbers had grown to 392K by the time of 2024 Skate America, and surely would have later surpassed 400K had they been able to compete as scheduled. Flores currently has between 360K to 370K followers, despite the disruption to her career. Many skaters have copied her lift POVs and other reels. USfigsk has recently told their top skaters to promote themselves more on IG because they realize the impact and influence Flores' skillful engagement with fans has had, not only for her increased popularity and visibility as an up-and-coming, unanointed skater with burgeoning possibility, but also for the new fan base she has brought to the sport, across ages, cultures, and backgrounds. One of her viral reels even prompted Derek Hough of DWTS to comment.
In this thread, there has been discussion not only of male divas, but also of partnerships in which both skaters together sparked a mutual, indefinable, magnetic appeal. Flores/ Desyatov definitely had that kind of appeal whether or not some fans felt it, admired them, despised them, or gave a 'rusty hoot' about their partnership.
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- Jan 31, 2019
I think it should be okay for everyone to see a skater any way they see them, diva or no diva. Arguing with someone's pov on that kinda defeats the point of the thread. You go and ask people, 'what do you think about this very personal perception thing?' only to tell them 'seriously, what are you drinking? you are so totally wrong. he is so not it!' If you see someone else as a diva, just nominate someone else, as many as you want, describe them to the wazoo, but don't go arguing with another person. I won't post again if the hive-mind taste corrections are on the menu.
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- Joined
- Aug 22, 2014
From the past.Sergei Sakhnovsky and Ilia Averbuch.
Isabella Flores and Ivan Desyatov, formerly US ice dancers.
At least they weren't referred to as Bella and Ivan (or maybe they were, I didn't read the post that confused you). It very much annoys me when posters use weird abbreviations to make themselves look oh-so-knowledgable at the price of being understood.
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2012
Nanapat - AMEN. I've been following figure skating for more years than I care to admit but I swear, the use of nicknames and abbreviations drives me to distraction. Half the time I don't know they're talking about. It only takes a few more key strokes to adequately identify the skaters. Also,using a skaters nicknames implies that the poster KNOWS the skater personally. sorry -got off on a tangent there!
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2022
Don't I remember reading in the guidelines that one shouldn't use abbreviations for couples' names? Or am I thinking of a ballroom dance forum I belong to where posters do that for dance couples, but are asked not to.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
Many fans use abbreviations for skaters' names. It's not a new, unusual, nor unexpected practice. Yes, the usage can sometimes be frustrating and confusing, just as Internet slang, nicknames, and acronyms can be difficult to decipher. I do my best to make sure I spell out the full names of skaters first before using abbreviations, which I did in my previous posts about the well-matched, charismatic former team, Flores/ Desyatov. Neither are divas, but their successful partnership mutually sparkled. 
A pairs male diva that came to mind for me is Daniil Parkman. LOL! He used to be so physically expressive that his wild enthusiasm would sometimes look out of control. When he partnered with Katie McBeath at the Irvine rink, I noticed coaches looking at him and lowering their hands, as if to say, 'Remember to stay measured and calm out there.'
I got that he needed to tone things down a bit. But now, I think he could benefit from showing a bit more of his original flair and expressing his personality. Oh well, though, I'm not a pairs coach, so maybe he still needs to maintain calm while he and Katie are trying to develop consistency and to discover and lean into their unique qualities as a team. 
A pairs male diva that came to mind for me is Daniil Parkman. LOL! He used to be so physically expressive that his wild enthusiasm would sometimes look out of control. When he partnered with Katie McBeath at the Irvine rink, I noticed coaches looking at him and lowering their hands, as if to say, 'Remember to stay measured and calm out there.'
I got that he needed to tone things down a bit. But now, I think he could benefit from showing a bit more of his original flair and expressing his personality. Oh well, though, I'm not a pairs coach, so maybe he still needs to maintain calm while he and Katie are trying to develop consistency and to discover and lean into their unique qualities as a team. Then why post about them in this thread?
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