Real life interractions with skaters...?

[iluvtodd]

I'm very surprised about the comment on Yuka. We've been lucky to meet & talk to her a few times (I gave her a picture of herself with Jason & me from Mike's show), so she recognizes us by now. Last year at Skate America I said a quick hello to her in the concourse. She was doing Japanese commentary, and was on her way to the broadcast booth before the exhibition. She apologized to me (!), saying that she was sorry she couldn't stop & talk for a few minutes because she had to get back to the broadcast booth. She didn't have to apologize, but I thought she was still very considerate. She also said, "See you at Stars!" (SOI). A few months later in March 2008, she skated over to us (in the on ice seats) at the end of our Philly SOI show and hugged me (I didn't prompt her to do that, believe me). So our encounters with Yuka have all been delightful.

 

[76olympics]

I am a rare and sad breed-- I have been a skating fan for years and have never seen a live show! We had tickets when my son was a baby, but he got sick and we couldn't go. We bought tickets twice for COI, and they cancelled both shows! So, I am an internet, television and book groupie.

I have corresponded with Toller Cranston's co-author, Martha Lowder Kimball. She is super sweet. I bought two books by mail from her and she autographed them. She included a Toller autographed bookplate from 2006 Worlds which I was very excited about.

And- I bought Jozef Sabovcik's autobio from an Amazon used book seller and it was signed by him ( inscribed to folks that didn't keep the book!).

I envy all of you. It is fun to hear about all of your encounters!

( The only celebrities I have met were non-skating. Kevin Dobson who was Kojak's sidekick made a television movie near my high school. Some girls in my class talked him into coming over to the school. I met Pete Buck from REM when I went to UGA. His brother lived in the apartment next to me. This was just when REM was about to go on David Letterman the first time. His brother gave me his discarded Rolling Stone mags with Peter Buck's address label, but I didn't keep them! )

 

[Eevun]

I'm exactly the same
I met a lot of skaters at Worlds this year. They who made the greatest impression at me were Sinead and John Kerr. They are soo sweet funny, polite, patience , you see that they really care about their fans. They're so adorable.
Met Johnny very very briefly he was in a hurry to his practice but he was very gentle, stopping by to say hi and sign my Camille-photo.
Stephane (he had problems during the whole week and wasn't well so I really understand that) and Tomas never stoped at us, their coaches laughed and made fun of us instead. That made me sad.

And Rena & John also! Met them a lot of times during that week. A wonderful couple, she was so sweet, drawing hearts and flowers at her autograph, and he was so funny all the time They sat some rows below me and watched the mens fs, they we're really into the game!

 

[Mathman]

Well my coach was stuck driving skaters and judges around one year during Ice Wars and she picked up Yuka....

That happens to everyone sooner or later.

"So-and-so? I can't stand So-and-so! *turns around* OH, HI, SO-AND-SO!

 

[gracie]

Talked to the Kerrs this SA and they are both patient, sweet and accommodating. I absolutely was impressed with their humble approach to fans.

 

[CzarinaAnya]

I congratulated him in 06 for making the team in passing, he was on the cell phone and had just hung up when I just said a congrats and good luck and he was SO SURPRISED - it was like he didn't think anyone would recognize him while he was waiting to get his luggage from the hotel

Aww, that's cute. I can see him being that way. lol

 

[penguin girl]

When I was a teenager the Cleveland Skating Club used to have these wonderful skating shows and the biggest names would come skate. I met Scott H. casually in the hallway--he is such a nice person. Jill Trenary, Brian Boitano, Rudy and Kristi when they were pairs, Robin Cousins. I'm sure there were more. I also "ran into" (literally--off ice) Jenni Meno in Kent before she was a pairs skater. And I watched Lisa Ervin grow up.

I guess I'm showing my age LOL!

 

[hongligl]

I was lucky enough being able to go to the receptions after 2006, 2007 and 2008 SOI shows and meet the whole cast! They were all super friendly! The first time I saw them up close I was shocked how slim and exquiste they were, like dolls. I really understood from that time that camera adds 10 pounds to a person

John Zimmerman was handsome beyond description. My friend and I chatted with him and took pictures with him. Actually we had the opportunity to take pictures with almost all the cast. The second time I met JZ I was brave enough to tell him that I think he's the most handsome and charming male skater. He smiled charmingly and genuinely saying "Thank you! You're the best (fan, I guess)" . Jeff Buttle was very very friendly too! Like a big sunshine boy! Kirk Browning was always friendly, funny and down to earth. I actually met him another time at a Toronto rink. He was doing some choreography there. I also met Patrick Chen there, it was April-May in 2006. I said Hi and waved to him, Patrick smiles widely and waved back, very friendly. I told my brother this is the guy to watch in the future, and it turned out to be a very near future

Have I mentioned S/Z? They are really nice and friendly people! I was a big fan of them since 2002/3 and bcame a fan/friend after 2006, the first time I met them in person. My niece even had a picture with Hongbo doing a lift with her! Too bad they don't compete any more.

I know this doesn't count but Lori Nicole is friendly and talented! She had great work ethic and was just such a beautiful skater/dancer, amazing to witness the process of her choreography.

OK, I just remembered that I met Annabella Longois and Cody Hey at teh 2008 SOI show. They sat right beside me! I didn't recognize them at the beginning and then I wondered why this girl looks so familliar. I asked if she was Annabella and she said yes, and they autographed my program! She's so tiny like a doll! My sister-in-law said she thought that she was a kid

 

[tilak]

An interaction I had with Melissa & Denis is when they performed "Fallen Angels" with Johnny at the Chelsea Piers Sky Rink in NYC over a year ago. I brought photos of the trio performing Fallen Angels, in case there was an autograph opportunity. Sure enough they happily took time for fans. When I gave the photograph to Melissa to sign she was just thrilled to see it & said it was so beautiful! Then she insisted on taking to the photo to Johnny to autograph who was being interviewed elsewhere in the building. She was so excited about it & the result is I have this awesome photograph with all 3 of their autographs. When I asked Melissa if she would like to have the extra photo she eagerly said, "Yes, thank you, I will frame it & put it on my wall." That made my day!

 

[Tonichelle]

That is so Melissa! I love her!