Nathan Chen

[Mamamiia]

I think that white blouse is great for his junior program perhaps not so much for senior. I am still hoping for a well designed white top

 

[oatmella]

I’m not sure I would read much into him not wearing Vera for the shows - I think he’s going for a more relaxed, slouchy (BTFE), casual vibe.

I wasn’t a fan of Vera at first - but eventually came to love the vanilla sleeve+black pants and white collar outfit. I think Nathan liked these costumes (and they fit his personal aesthetic better than his costumes from the previous season). The Vera costumes looked comfortable, amazing fabrics, and more emphasized and more flattering to his physique than his previous non costumes. The SP black pants in particular - A++ for fit, especially in comparison to the black pants he’s wearing for the shows - zoom in on his waistband if you must.

I don’t know if Vera wants to continue the Nathan costumes or that was just for Olympic season - but I’m guessing that if she wants to design more costumes for him, he’s not going to turn her offer.

 

[shine]

^Not BFTE, but for Nemesis. He could’ve easily just worn the vanilla sleeve costume (which is by far my fav of the Vera collection btw) instead of using the original one which was only supposed to be temporary. I wonder if he feels the original actually fits the character more?

 

[oatmella]

shine - I think that could be very possible.

And who knows what are the terms of his Vera deal - maybe they are only for competitions, not shows. Nathan obviously isn’t into maintaining a pristine and unwrinkled outfit either (though completely normal for an 18 yr old guy). I think he also likes a more casual aesthetic overall - which may not be the most suited for competitions but is completely fine here

And his fans were begging for black shirt Nemesis - though no idea if anyone on his team would pay attention to this

 

[lurkz2]

I really hope for no more Vera.. And choreography wise, I def agree Stole the Show was much better done than BFTE.

What’s y’all’s take on him not using his Vera costume in all these shows? It makes me wonder if he himself is not that big of a fan and perhaps won’t be going back to Vera after all?

I agree that BFTE was not technically brilliant. What sets it apart is he really seems to be feeling the music. So I hope he has more input into the music choice for next season. Maybe one guitar piece since he’s into guitar playing ATM. I’d prefer that one program be contemporary and the other classical to showcase his versatility.

It’s possible he loathed the Vera costumes, but also equally possible he reverted to the black shirt by popular demand or some other reason.

My only hope for his costumes next season is no pit stains (which probably eliminates fine white shirts/blouses). No matter how much the attire complements the moves, IMO pit stains ruin the overall impression (looking at you blue shirt from Mao’s Last Dancer).

 

[Mamamiia]

I've always liked Vera's costumes but I think she has done her job and Nathan can move on.

 

[oatmella]

I’m guessing that after a million of photos of him wearing Vera at worlds - Nathan did not hate the costumes in the end

As for the sweat issue - either he needs a better antiperspirant or if all else fails - botox

holy pit stains:
https://78-media-tumblr-com.cdn.amp...250ab9cf7/tumblr_p25axalW7u1uwc1x0o1_1280.jpg

A white silk or fine cotton blouse plus Nathan’s pits would be a no-go.

The Vera costumes didn’t show anything pit wise though

 

[georgia]

I've always liked Vera's costumes but I think she has done her job and Nathan can move on.

I agree with you. Also his back/neck looks straighter in Vera’s costumes and that’s important.

 

[oatmella]

Just throwing random music suggestions out there

Grohg, Aaron Copland, for NATHAN’S VAMPIRE PROGRAM:
https://youtu.be/hyXUBnxYOqU

Rachmaninoff Prelude in C sharp minor (I know it’s quite associated with Mao Asada - but I think Nathan could do a killer program to this and maybe Vampire theme here too lol):
https://youtu.be/YOx710drHnw

Bach partita no.5 (I like the praeambulum):
https://youtu.be/aecenXn3obw

Tchaikovsky symphony no.6
https://youtu.be/yDqCIcsUtPI

Tchaikovsky Sleeping Beauty - I’m sure this has been used a lot by ladies but what about men and there’s a lot of great music in there ... and Nathan would look amazing in a prince costume
https://youtu.be/hJkTvPXRztU

Schubert symphony no.5
https://youtu.be/3MkYv1DMQyI

Step, vampire weekend (maybe mixed with something else - I like the bach inspired harpsichord)
https://youtu.be/_mDxcDjg9P4

Take Me Out, Franz Ferdinand
https://youtu.be/Ijk4j-r7qPA

If he wants to try Coldplay - Every teardrop is a waterfall:
https://youtu.be/1Kf_6BWcOOg

MGMT - Kids: did not link to the music video and don’t recommend that you watch it
https://youtu.be/w7JthgTMHDU

Wondering if Nathan ever performed his Golden Slumbers program choreo by Phillip Mills? I thought at last year’s Sun Valley show he performed Nemesis and Parachute

Eta: corrected link for entire Grohg

 

[sheetz]

I think that since SOI (both JP and US) requested he perform Nemesis for the show it's very possible they requested he wear the black shirt as well.

 

[1111bm]

Anyone care to enlighten me, why you all feel that Nathan has a stiff back?

Because apparently I’m really bad at judging posture. Not only do I not care much for it in everyday life, but I’m usually surprised when people criticise a skater for it, because in most cases it looked totally fine to me.

I mean, I recognise that Nathan is hunching his shoulders too much. I don’t mind a little here and there, especially if it’s part of an overall body movement within the choreo or to convey a more casual vibe, and I actually don’t like what would be considered „good posture“ (straight and upright, shoulders back…) because it looks just too pompous and unnatural to me, but Nathan clearly went a bit overboard with the hunching lately, especially during SOI.

But stiff? When I think of a stiff back, I think of skaters like Patrick Chan, Boyang Jin or Adam Rippon. :think:
The way Nathan moves always looks very… pliable (?) to me. I may be totally biased, but when I compare him to the other men in the SOI shows (or even the majority of men in competition), it looks like he’s the only one who uses his whole upper body when he’s skating, doing steps or parts of dance choreo, especially his head and shoulders. He seems to be really hurling his body around, and there’s always such a spring to his movements.

Maybe I just can't separate the arms and shoulders (the way they move) from the back, and look at it in isolation?

Please no Chopin. It's been beaten like a dead horse by too many skaters, especially recently.

Leave the Chopin to Yuzu and others.

If it’s about novelty, why should Yuzu and others still be „allowed“ to use Chopin, but not Nathan, if we assume that it suits him?

And as others have noted, he could skate to a less popular piece (although I realise, that Chopin has quite the distinct style and this wouldn’t exactly serve the purpose of adding diversity to program music).

 

[oatmella]

People have noted that Nathan actually has amazing posture just standing regularly - so I don’t really get it ?

He does a lot of weight training - so maybe he has some muscle imbalance, he’s had previous back injury, he carries tension there ? To me the occasional hunching is not that big a deal, and seems intentional in BFTE

Nathan makes the best use of his head/torso/ARMS/HANDS - and it all moves together very fluidly and naturally - which I will credit that to his years of ballet training. And there’s no wild flailing - every movement is deliberate

I tried to list some less popular/unused music thus far in FS (see previous post). Kinda sad tho that Chopin is reduced to like one ballade and two nocturnes in FS and the rest is seen as redundant.

 

[frida80]

I'm about half way done with my video breaking down Nathan's jumps at WC. Of course it occurs to be that now I may be inviting a lot of controversy.

I don't want to create a widespread dischord over a measly video that I've made as a fan. So just as a heads up, I will only share the link to people that PM me. Hopefully that should keep things civil.

I'll let you know when it's done.

 

[shine]

Anyone care to enlighten me, why you all feel that Nathan has a stiff back?

Because apparently I’m really bad at judging posture. Not only do I not care much for it in everyday life, but I’m usually surprised when people criticise a skater for it, because in most cases it looked totally fine to me.

I mean, I recognise that Nathan is hunching his shoulders too much. I don’t mind a little here and there, especially if it’s part of an overall body movement within the choreo or to convey a more casual vibe, and I actually don’t like what would be considered „good posture“ (straight and upright, shoulders back…) because it looks just too pompous and unnatural to me, but Nathan clearly went a bit overboard with the hunching lately, especially during SOI.

But stiff? When I think of a stiff back, I think of skaters like Patrick Chan, Boyang Jin or Adam Rippon. :think:
The way Nathan moves always looks very… pliable (?) to me. I may be totally biased, but when I compare him to the other men in the SOI shows (or even the majority of men in competition), it looks like he’s the only one who uses his whole upper body when he’s skating, doing steps or parts of dance choreo, especially his head and shoulders. He seems to be really hurling his body around, and there’s always such a spring to his movements.

Maybe I just can't separate the arms and shoulders (the way they move) from the back, and look at it in isolation?




If it’s about novelty, why should Yuzu and others still be „allowed“ to use Chopin, but not Nathan, if we assume that it suits him?

And as others have noted, he could skate to a less popular piece (although I realise, that Chopin has quite the distinct style and this wouldn’t exactly serve the purpose of adding diversity to program music).

I think there's this tension/tightness in the particular area between the back of his head and his shoulders. Instead of extending his neck and head upwards and relaxing his shoulders to create a sense of openness, he likes to tighten or supress that area. It's interesting because this issue comes and goes with him. He also tends to do this more in his "modern" programs than his classical programs. I thought it was particualrly bad in BFTE in that debut video from Japan, but the bunched up shirt might have made it look worse than it is. he looks better in some of the more recent SOI videos. And I'm not convinced that he needs to maintain this hunchy posture in order to present a slouchy/relaxed vibe - you can be jazzy and relaxed and still be opened up. OTOH, in Bolero from the same show that tightness went away completely and he was all opened up. It also used to be more prominent when he was younger and I really believe working with Marina has helped correct that a lot (Le Corsaire). Even though it doesn't bother me as much as it seems to bother some other fans , I do often wonder why this has not been addressed from day one with him, because he's simply splendid in all other aspects of movement and dance. .

 

[yyyskate]

@oatmella

Nathan absolutely need to do a VAMPIRE program in his career, otherwise, he needs to apology to his VAMPIRE like teeth

Grohg, Aaron Copland, for NATHAN’S VAMPIRE PROGRAM recommended by you, after I listen to it, I think Lori may like it, sometimes, Lori has a thing for Frankenstein type of music.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Anyone care to enlighten me, why you all feel that Nathan has a stiff back?

Because apparently I’m really bad at judging posture. Not only do I not care much for it in everyday life, but I’m usually surprised when people criticise a skater for it, because in most cases it looked totally fine to me.

I mean, I recognise that Nathan is hunching his shoulders too much. I don’t mind a little here and there, especially if it’s part of an overall body movement within the choreo or to convey a more casual vibe, and I actually don’t like what would be considered „good posture“ (straight and upright, shoulders back…) because it looks just too pompous and unnatural to me, but Nathan clearly went a bit overboard with the hunching lately, especially during SOI.

But stiff? When I think of a stiff back, I think of skaters like Patrick Chan, Boyang Jin or Adam Rippon. :think:
The way Nathan moves always looks very… pliable (?) to me. I may be totally biased, but when I compare him to the other men in the SOI shows (or even the majority of men in competition), it looks like he’s the only one who uses his whole upper body when he’s skating, doing steps or parts of dance choreo, especially his head and shoulders. He seems to be really hurling his body around, and there’s always such a spring to his movements.

Maybe I just can't separate the arms and shoulders (the way they move) from the back, and look at it in isolation?




If it’s about novelty, why should Yuzu and others still be „allowed“ to use Chopin, but not Nathan, if we assume that it suits him?

And as others have noted, he could skate to a less popular piece (although I realise, that Chopin has quite the distinct style and this wouldn’t exactly serve the purpose of adding diversity to program music).

My point was let Yuzu skate to boring overdone Chopin, I'd rather Nathan do fresh, innovative programs like this year.

 

[1111bm]

I think there's this tension/tightness in the particular area between the back of his head and his shoulders. Instead of extending his neck and head upwards and relaxing his shoulders to create a sense of openness, he likes to tighten or supress that area.

Ah okay, I think I was focusing on the middle or lower part of his back and was wondering what people meant.
I also took the word "stiff" to mean something completely different, more about the way he moves his torso, and didn't think in terms of extending or opening up in the neck area, so that's why I was confused.
I also thought it was a separate "problem", but it actually seems to be part of the whole hunching his shoulders issue.

I'm about half way done with my video breaking down Nathan's jumps at WC.

Breaking down the jumps? What do you mean by that?

My point was let Yuzu skate to boring overdone Chopin, I'd rather Nathan do fresh, innovative programs like this year.

I see!
(Although, Yuzu does a fine job at it, that doesn't bore me at all, same for Nathan's Chopin program from his junior days... I guess, if I like the execution of it, I'm totally fine with it)

 

[yyyskate]

regarding Nathan's posture/stiff back etc, debate.
An video comparison worth more than a 1000*1000 words.
Here is Shoma's "This town" ex from 4CC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKhQ1EaZjFA
Here is Nathan's "Chopin" using the one video Mamamiia linked. or you can choose to watch Nathan's BFTE etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OWp0sAuFdE

the difference is there. Shoma is the superior one, I hope Nathan can fix his back issue. since it is distracting from the over-all view experience of his otherwise amazing quality.

EDIT: i think I will need to put a disclaimer there, otherwise, I may get into trouble. This little fan has very high standard for Our Nathan, and you all already know that (The Ciz ice dance standard) Shoma's posture/back is my standard and match Nathan up to. Since Shoma is probably the best in terms of posture in current group of male skaters.

 

[oatmella]

@oatmella

Nathan absolutely need to do a VAMPIRE program in his career, otherwise, he needs to apology to his VAMPIRE like teeth

Grohg, Aaron Copland, for NATHAN’S VAMPIRE PROGRAM recommended by you, after I listen to it, I think Lori may like it, sometimes, Lori has a thing for Frankenstein type of music.

#VampireProgramforNathan

Otherwise it will be a waste of his sharp canine teeth

 

[Mamamiia]

regarding Nathan's posture/stiff back etc, debate.
An video comparison worth more than a 1000*1000 words.
Here is Shoma's "This town" ex from 4CC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKhQ1EaZjFA
Here is Nathan's "Chopin" using the one video Mamamiia linked. or you can choose to watch Nathan's BFTE etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OWp0sAuFdE

the difference is there. Shoma is the superior one, I hope Nathan can fix his back issue. since it is distracting from the over-all view experience of his otherwise amazing quality.

EDIT: i think I will need to put a disclaimer there, otherwise, I may get into trouble. This little fan has very high standard for Our Nathan, and you all already know that (The Ciz ice dance standard) Shoma's posture/back is my standard and match Nathan up to. Since Shoma is probably the best in terms of posture in current group of male skaters.

I remember Nathan mentioned in the TCL interview that he had shoulder injury, not sure if it has anything to do with the "issue" you are talking about.