B&TF: How did you become so fascinated with Russian culture and language?JW: It was born in me. There’s something so special about Russia from the first time I ever heard the name Russia. Of course it was USSR when I was born. Everything that I’ve heard fascinated me. I had a book, it was called, “Russia and her states”, because here they called them states, not republics. I was so interested in learning about the tsars, and the alphabet. I started to draw the characters from the alphabet and it was something that was so special to me. Really, Russia lives in my heart.
читать дальшеB&TF: I’ve read that during the Olympics you got underscored because you were too flamboyant. Do you personally think that your score was fair?
JW: I don’t think the score was fair but when I took the ice there was an American, Evan Lysacek that was already short of medal so it’s hard to have two Americans on the same podium. Of course, I think Plushenko should’ve won. I mean, there’re lots of politics in figure skating and of course, I think I should’ve done better than sixth place. For me sixth is kind of nothing but through that experience so many people thought I should’ve had a medal and that gives me a lot of power and a lot of passion to skate more and be stronger.
B&TF: As you can see I work for l-word.com. Have you watched the show when it aired?
JW: I watched a few episodes but I haven’t gotten into it. I need to buy the DVD’s and really sit and watch everything. I think it’s amazing that there’s a show like “The L Word” on television. It was like “Queer as Folk” and different shows before but I think it’s so special.
B&TF: I asked because I read an interview with Jennifer Beals who plays Bette on the show, where she said that she watched you perform in Vancouver and she thought you were fabulous. She really liked how authentic you were. Why do you think the authenticity is so important?
JW: I think being an original is important. I don’t think you should be judged on what you are but who you are. I think that’s the most important thing in this life and if you’re gay or straight it doesn’t matter. As long as you are an interesting individual person that has a clear image of who you are that’s what important.
B&TF: Are you going to continue competing in the Olympics?
JW: I hope so. It’s a dream for me to compete in Sochi and I’m really looking forward to seeing where my skating career goes. I’m still training, I’m still on the ice and I also enjoying my life a little bit in doing things like this.
B&TF: I saw your performance to Lady Gaga and I also thought you were fabulous. Good luck in Sochi.
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