02/16/2006
Shopping with Johnny Weir
Former Philadelphia Eagle Vai Sikahema goes shopping with Johnny Weir in Torino. Here's Vai's setup as Johnny arrives:
Tucked into this size 2 jacket was a grey scarf, so perfectly arranged, it was a contrast against a mop of hair that looked tussled, unkempt and dyed an auburn color. Across his chest was the strap of his Louis Vuitton purse. Not bag. Purse!We had to walk about a block to meet our driver and as we made our way, I said to him, "Johnny, we were told we have an hour with you. We're down to 30 minutes and unfortunately, it'll take that long to get to the shops. Would you give us 30 more minutes to do this story right?"
His response stunned me. "Honey, I've got all day."
Not that he had all day. That he called me "Honey."
I played along and said, "You're such a diva!" Honest truth.
He giggled and said, "I am a princess."
This flirty "man date" might have been a little more interesting had I not seen it all on Queer Eye a million times before. I love the fact that all the press on Johnny Weir is petite, flamboyant, diva, yet nobody ever directly points directly at that big pink elephant in the room. I guess some things can just be assumed.
Still, Johnny Weir has been the most entertaining thing about this entire Olympics.
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 11:56 AM EST by Andy in Sports | Permalink
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Go ahead and take my gay card BUT..who the fug is Johnny Weir? Seriously.
Posted by: Chef Boyardee | Feb 16, 2006 12:03:54 PM
OK, I realize that, on a major level, it's harmless fun: the skating queen on the loose, the media finding it just adorable, ESPN shaking its macho head in amusement.
Still, though...don't care for the story. We get an Olympian who's pretty friggin' out, and he's so of the standardized, stereotypical poodle variety, 'sissy' is in no danger of being replaced as the way gays are seen.
Posted by: Jacko | Feb 16, 2006 12:11:29 PM
But at least he walks the talk.
Posted by: Rad | Feb 16, 2006 12:31:33 PM
He's gay? Who-da thunk it...
Seriously, I'm just happy for any story that doesn't contain the words "Brokeback" or "Mountain".
XO
Posted by: Mark | Feb 16, 2006 12:38:12 PM
Jacko,
If straights are still working under the sissy assumption, they are not going to be helped if Weir butches up. He is who is (diva and all), and would kick all our butts on the ice. Good for him.
peace
Posted by: James | Feb 16, 2006 12:56:27 PM
I love that he's such a princess, and doesn't feel the need to be anything but completely authentic even when the cameras are rolling. The world could use a little more of that. And furthermore, unlike Bode (whom I also like), Johnny has put his money where his mouth is and backed up his bravura with top-notch performance.
I fricking LOVE to see sissies kick ass. Good for him.
Posted by: Brian | Feb 16, 2006 1:03:18 PM
Whatever his good or bad points, if Johnny medals, we aren't going to see him on a Wheaties box.
Personally, I find him to be a big fake. The over-the-top prissy Bobby Trendy-esque act, it's too much.
Posted by: Dan | Feb 16, 2006 1:08:38 PM
I think he's cute as all get out. This kid is thoroughly himself.
Posted by: FASTLAD | Feb 16, 2006 1:10:12 PM
My favorite euphemism I've heard commentators use for Johnny is "always entertaining." It doesn't remotely bother me that the only out Olympian (as far as I know) is a bit nelly...he is a figure skater, after all. Frankly, after hearing so much about him, I was expecting him to be as flamboyant as Steven Cojocaru or Rip Taylor.
And, like Brian pointed out above, he does kick some pretty serious ass out on the ice.
Posted by: Weho Mark | Feb 16, 2006 1:28:39 PM
Seriously folks. If you were expecting our next big stereotype breaking sports figure to come from figure skating you are pretty friggin' naive! Even the "straight" male figure skaters are flamey. It shouldnt matter as long as they are themselves despite the media.
Posted by: Toto | Feb 16, 2006 1:41:13 PM
The nelly princesses are part of our community. I really don't get being ashamed of them. We've all met guys like that. We've also met the leathermen. Our community is diverse. Enjoy it. It's certainly not boring.
Posted by: Mike in the Tundra | Feb 16, 2006 1:49:20 PM
Or to look at it another way;
Might it be that since it's "obvious" that he's gay, that there is no reason to comment on it since it doesn't make any difference? At a certain point, "acceptance" also means that it's unremarkable...literatlly.
Posted by: Ted B. (Charging Rhino) | Feb 16, 2006 1:54:07 PM
All points registered, and well said.
My whine, Tundra Mike, was just that it'd blow further straight circuits, were our gay Olympian not so much what they think gay always is. Something on the order of That Movie Andy's Taking A Break From, on Ice.
But, hey - as y'all say, he rips the rink up.
Posted by: Jacko | Feb 16, 2006 1:59:14 PM
The press loves Johnny Weir for the same reason they love Philip Seymour Hoffman in 'Capote'. As long as queers are obnoxious self-involved fags (read vaguely subhuman) then they're safe. Sorta like chimps.
It's why the myth of a gay community is just that. It's like lumping (straight) mullet-wearing meth junkies in Sioux City with Brad Pitt. They're both str8..but they ain't in the same community.
Posted by: PSMike | Feb 16, 2006 2:43:35 PM
I'm with Brian...it's great to see a sissy kick ass. I liked that scene in "This Boy's Life" where the sissy kicks ass.
Posted by: Myackie | Feb 16, 2006 2:44:15 PM
He's droll, world weary, fey, over-the-top queer, lispy, snide, patronizing, pansy to the nth degree and astonishingly obnoxious. But he's a liberal Democrat and an incredible athlete and that, in my book, makes him the best American in Torino. And, most importantly, he can outskate everyone and he's got that homely Russian with the ugly nose shitting his tights. Go get him, Johnny. You're the man!
Posted by: Rick | Feb 16, 2006 3:24:22 PM
I think he is wonderful fun. He has the talent to back up the talk. He is who he is and he does not care who likes it. The USOC is freaked out by him,which only adds to his charm. He may not end up on the wheaties box but he will end up successful elswhere.
Like our man Anderson you don't have to say you are one to be one.
We need not over think this.
Posted by: Donald | Feb 16, 2006 3:31:40 PM
I have always loved his skating (yes, big figure skating fan here) but his antics are a little over the top. ITA with Dan.
Posted by: Lady Heather | Feb 16, 2006 3:48:20 PM
The USOC and in particular the Skating Federation is more concerned about his promise to write a tell-all book after this. Figure-skating and ice-dancing has always been a comfortable closet for the guys. And what if there's cross-connections to college and NFL hockey; they use the same ice arenas and lockerrooms? Names, dates, room-numbers....
Posted by: Ted B. (Charging Rhino) | Feb 16, 2006 3:52:02 PM
Celebrate our differences Jacko. Instead of getting all antsied up by Johnny's colorful persona, you should applaud him forliving his life the way he wants to. No apologies, no excuses.
Posted by: gabe | Feb 16, 2006 3:53:17 PM
Many of these comments are just a warm up to all the post pride parade bashing and cheering. At least this year we a little practice to get ready for June
Posted by: Donald | Feb 16, 2006 5:06:50 PM
If he wore A&F, a baseball cap and said "bro" a lot, would that make people feel better?
Posted by: busytimmy | Feb 16, 2006 5:45:22 PM
i LOVE Johnny Weir! I think he's hilarious and his website is the gayest thing ever, which makes me love him even more.
Posted by: RSW | Feb 16, 2006 6:07:48 PM
I'm just living for the day when "pairs skating" doesn't necessarily mean a male and a female skating together.
I can die when two John Zimmermans are skating together in the pairs competition at the Olympics. That will be HOT HOT HOT!
Posted by: Hephaestion | Feb 16, 2006 7:24:50 PM
Hurray for Johnny Weir that he's out there being exactly who he wants to be. Like it or not we're not all cut from the same piece of cloth and the nelly queens are as relevant as the gym bunnies, domesticated CPAs and tough bullriders.
Posted by: Tom C | Feb 16, 2006 8:23:15 PM