Nathan Chen

[yyyskate]

There's no direct flight to New Haven from CA (as far as I know)

Honestly trying to make contact with Nathan/high five sounds and looks super stressful:

https://twitter.com/PuntasticDeath/status/997313769343627265

OMG, @oatmella, this is soooooo real, it is exactly like that in competitions.

the emotions and craziness is soooo real and sooo true.

if you wanna touch their hands, you need to run down the hill fast!

ETA, Also, Thank everyone for your concerns, I think I will still be safe (not banned yet) and I cannot post the reason why the mod give me warning, since I was given an infraction last time I did something similar. Just has to be more careful when posting. well, I at times, easily got carried away. All good!

 

[heyheyhey]

I don’t know about the absolute number, but Hanyu seems to have the ability to attract fans from outside of the sport and people idolize him as some kind of pop culture icon and would travel the world in hordes to see him (like what we saw at Rostelecom; and the infamous crying girl dressed in Seimei is actually Chinese). Social media are flooded with accounts with Hanyu’s nicknames and Hanyu’s picture as profile pics. They are really more fans of Yuzuru Hanyu than of figure skating, I would say. I’m pretty sure Boyang doesn’t have anywhere near the appeal there.

Hanyu is an icon in Japan but outside of that he’s popular within the niche of figure skating, not in a mainstream way. That’s why training in Canada is easier for him, most people don’t care or know him. I would def not say he has more fans than figure skating, that’s kinda pushing it lol. A similar position with past skaters like Yuna, Plushenko etc. It’s not really particular to him, he’s just been the recent “star” of skating but having a dedicated large fanbase that follows you everywhere has happened to each major star of each cycle. I think only 90s figure skaters were ever really globally mainstream popular.

 

[shine]

Hanyu is an icon in Japan but outside of that he’s popular within the niche of figure skating, not in a mainstream way. That’s why training in Canada is easier for him, most people don’t care or know him. I would def not say he has more fans than figure skating, that’s kinda pushing it lol. A similar position with past skaters like Yuna, Plushenko etc. I think only 90s figure skaters were ever really globally mainstream popular.

I’m specifically talking about his popularity in China and relaying what I’ve observed on Chinese social media etc. I never said he’s as popular as actual celebrities such as the ones in entertainment, but relative to *other* figure skaters he definitely has much more of a celebraty status there, not just in Japan. I think most people who (somewhat) follow Chinese social media would make the same observation.

 

[livetoskate]

thanks sheetz for clarifying. aww - she sounds like a very sweet person and Nathan is fortunate to have her as a fan.

Oatmella, thanks for your translation of the "Apple watch" fan's post. I feel sad for her, having come all the way from Japan with an expensive gift for Nathan, but yeah, what kind of interaction can anyone really have with a top competitive skater? Nathan and the others must meet so many people that they can't possibly remember someone in a sea of faces, even if they give him nice things. It reminds me of a time my friend, an uber-Kwan fan, really wanted to talk to Michelle after 2003 Worlds; they had spoken briefly at some other competition. Michelle was busy talking to Brian Boitano at a hotel bar, and we left without bothering her. My friend was so overwhelmed rehearsing what she wanted to say, and I thought it was weird, because she was this otherwise normal, educated young woman in her 30s!

 

[heyheyhey]

I’m specifically talking about his popularity in China and relaying what I’ve observed on Chinese social media etc. I’m not saying he’s more popular than actual celebrities such as the ones in entertainment, but relative to *other* figure skaters he definitely has much more of a celebraty status there, not just in Japan. I think most people who (somewhat) follow Chinese social media would make the same observation.

Yea, I was just thinking that Boyang doing so well in the Olympics for his home country might have changed that but maybe not since figure skating doesn’t seem to hold too much interest there in general? Beijing should be interesting nonetheless

 

[livetoskate]

I’m specifically talking about his popularity in China and relaying what I’ve observed on Chinese social media etc. I never said he’s as popular as actual celebrities such as the ones in entertainment, but relative to *other* figure skaters he definitely has much more of a celebraty status there, not just in Japan. I think most people who (somewhat) follow Chinese social media would make the same observation.

It would be easier for Nathan to learn Chinese, since he already understands a lot and can sort of speak it, I gather. But are there any big skating shows anyway in China or sponsorships that could come his way if he spoke Chinese better? I don't know of any Stars on Ice type productions going on there. Learning Japanese sounds like it would be more helpful, since he's already going there to skate and has a fan base.

Random tidbit-- I recall reading one of those online interviews Nathan had about 4 years ago, possibly another site or something similar, before he became known. Someone told him he should date Karen Chen. His response was, nah. Another person asked him why he couldn't speak Chinese, and he responded with something like, because I'm American.

 

[yyyskate]

thanks sheetz for clarifying. aww - she sounds like a very sweet person and Nathan is fortunate to have her as a fan.

and she is the most famous Nathan fan on Insta and among very few fans that can DM with Nathan!!! Cheer UP girl:luv17: Thank you for your gift to Nathan, T-shirt, apple watch, and Nathan were wearing them immediately afterwards. And thank you for sharing your precious videos of Nathan. You are appreciated within the fandom. Cheer up!

 

[heyheyhey]

Lol I think you’re thinking of his askfm when he was like 14 or so. He hasn’t been on it in years but some of the responses were so cringe and very typically teenager lol. He’s so talented and advanced for his age that I forget sometimes that yea, he’s still just a kid at the end of the day lol (though obviously he’s matured ALOT since then and he probably would be embarrassed if he read it again now [emoji23])

 

[alexaa]

It would be easier for Nathan to learn Chinese, since he already understands a lot and can sort of speak it, I gather. But are there any big skating shows anyway in China or sponsorships that could come his way if he spoke Chinese better? I don't know of any Stars on Ice type productions going on there. Learning Japanese sounds like it would be more helpful, since he's already going there to skate and has a fan base.

Random tidbit-- I recall reading one of those online interviews Nathan had about 4 years ago, possibly another site or something similar, before he became known. Someone told him he should date Karen Chen. His response was, nah. Another person asked him why he couldn't speak Chinese, and he responded with something like, because I'm American.

I think yyyskate would respond to this better.

IIRC, she mentioned a month or 2 ago that SOI China is interested in inviting Nathan to perform there, but it was before all this Yale thing, which makes schedules/things much difficult now.

She also posted a Askfm in this FF. I remembered his response to the not speaking Chinese was because he was in America. yyyskate, please correct if I am wrong.

Jason has a large Japanese fan base, and he is taking Japanese classes and working with private tutors. Nathan doesn't seem to me be that much into learning languages, plus I think his schedule/todo list is already way overwhelming.

 

[oatmella]

Was Nathan that young during his askfm - he said he loved Amber - aww ... young love. So at least some responses he must have been older than 14. Maybe he should just delete the account !

 

[shine]

So I guess the point I was trying to make--and it's really not that important of a point really -- is that I don't think learning/speaking Chinese is really that necessary in terms of gaining popularity in China. Of course it'll endear you to the people to a certain degree, but would they really become die hard fans like the Hanyu fans? Also I think the Chinese public is in general very welcoming or even gravitates towards certain foreign celebrities. For example, there are many Korean actors/boys groups/girls groups who are just as popular in China as any A list Chinese celebrities. I think true fandom still stems from someone feeling attracted to then falling in love with a certain appeal/style/looks more than simply having the ability to speak the same language.

 

[heyheyhey]

He doesn’t really have to learn any languages, the fan bases will come on their own as he continues to succeed. It’s always the same formula, if you become the “it” person within the sport (media/results wise), the fanbase will naturally come in pretty much any figure skating market regardless if you speak the language or not. He just has to keep showing results and the rest will come.

He was 14-15 for the askfm. I don’t think he’s been on it since then but someone can double check.

Emma Watson isn’t blonde and that’s his crush lol. I think he’s probably like most dudes and just likes pretty girls in general.

 

[yyyskate]

okay,
about Yuzuru's popularity in China, what @shine said is true.
about Ask FM/ I cannot recall Nathan's response to “not speak Chinese” , but he said he can speak “i am hungry” “where is the restroom“ etc. in Chinese

 

[discode]

He doesn’t really have to learn any languages, the fan bases will come on their own as he continues to succeed. It’s always the same formula, if you become the “it” person within the sport (media/results wise), the fanbase will naturally come in pretty much any figure skating market regardless if you speak the language or not. He just has to keep showing results and the rest will come.

Basically this.

Nathan has endeared himself to many fans the last year (especially) and his fame has grown. And will continue to grow as well.

And American fans like him more than some other skaters for a lot of reasons (some of which are not safe to get into here lol), one being that Nathan has a winning record and his off ice behavior and personality are also well liked as well. It's not just because he likes nikes and the NBA.

As for marketing himself, he barely seems interested in doing that in the US? Let alone anywhere else.

 

[yyyskate]

about ice show in China, SOI just started its tour in China. they hope to invite high-profile skaters (mostly IMG skaters), so Nathan is very possible
besides, China has Shen/Zhao's ice show artistry on ice, maybe able to invite Nathan.
Also other local ice shows, Baby Nathan used to visited China around 10 years old to do a show in Hangzhou. And he perhaps made a weibo account back then. but was forgotten since.

I would say if Nathan really wanna market himself in China, is NOT that difficult at all. but it seems Nathan is not very interested at least at the moment.
"酒香不拍巷子深"

also, the insanely popularity of Yuzuru in China is perhaps also backed up with some marketing not the type of old-school NBC marketing but modern social media markerting tactic.

 

[sheetz]

So I guess the point I was trying to make--and it's really not that important of a point really -- is that I don't think learning/speaking Chinese is really that necessary in terms of gaining popularity in China. Of course it'll endear you to the people to a certain degree, but would they really become die hard fans like the Hanyu fans? Also I think the Chinese public is in general very welcoming or even gravitates towards certain foreign celebrities. For example, there are many Korean actors/boys groups/girls groups who are just as popular in China as any A list Chinese celebrities. I think true fandom still stems from someone feeling attracted to then falling in love with a certain appeal/style/looks more than simply having the ability to speak the same language.

The comparison was really with Vincent, not Hanyu. The ability to speak Chinese is the main point in Vincent's favor over Nathan.

 

[oatmella]

我饿了- I'm hungry

洗手间在哪里 - Where's the restroom?

你好谢谢: Hello, Thank you

我的名字是 Nathan Chen: My name is Nathan Chen.

对不起 我不会说很多中国话 but ... : sorry I can't speak that much Chinese but ...

Nathan has the basics down

 

[heyheyhey]

Yea, Nathan is literally the answer US skating has been looking for since Michelle retired. Even with Lysacek, it wasn’t the same because he only won everything for like a year leading up to the Olympics and then we had nobody again. Y’all know how long our drought was? Nathan is like a saving grace for a country that used to dominate in figure skating and have the biggest stars And on top of that he has the potential to be the GOAT and win Olympics? yea...pretty much no one else is gonna matter in US skating until he retires, sorry to the rest [emoji23]

Also Nathan is a prodigy (like an actual one, not just for when they’re 13 and then can’t jump again after puberty and not just in skating) so that basically makes him as marketable as possible without him needing to do much of his own promotion/marketing. Everyone loves prodigies, it can translate to pretty much anywhere.

 

[yyyskate]

The comparison was really with Vincent, not Hanyu. The ability to speak Chinese is the main point in Vincent's favor over Nathan.

actually not all that... This is kinda tricky to explain, I will leave it to @Shine

 

[alexaa]

The comparison was really with Vincent, not Hanyu. The ability to speak Chinese is the main point in Vincent's favor over Nathan.

Yes, the comparison is between two skaters with similar background, one can speak their language and talk on TV about the Chinese heritage vs one cannot speak the language and never has the chance to talk about Chinese heritage.

But this is the case to general viewers/audiences who don't know that much about figure skating, and in an environment not very media coverage about FS except during Olympics given that figure skating is not that popular sports in China. Even Oatmella's mom like Vincent because he can speaks Chinese. Don't know if that is the case now. And there are other issues.

For die hard figure skating fans, ultimately, your achievements and your appeals are what is going to attract fans

Haha, Lu Chen is also Chen family. Other Nathans fans were telling me that she commented on Nathan's win in this year's worlds, and specifically mentioned another champion in the "Chen" family