Entertainment News
2007-01-27
Figure skater
Weir still no stranger to controversy
Figure skater
Johnny Weir, who during the Turin Olympics famously dodged
questions about his sexuality, is causing wave
Figure skater
Johnny Weir, who during the Turin Olympics famously dodged
questions about his sexuality, is causing waves again in a
decision to play Jesus on ice.
On Saturday night
at the 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in
Spokane, Wash., Weir will become Christ for his long program
entry, set to "Child of Nazareth" by Maxime Rodriguez,
telling the story of Jesus through skating.
The three-time
U.S. champion is in second place after Thursday night's
short program, with 78.14 points to Evan Lysacek's 78.99.
Ryan Bradley is a distant third.
"In no way am I
portraying the actual entity of Jesus. I'm just
performing the story of his life," Weir told reporters at
the event. "It's an interesting concept, an
interesting idea to push myself forward and make
myself better. It has nothing to do with anything
else."
Weir has come
under criticism from gay commentator and former skater Mark
Lund for consistently avoiding the gay question.
"I say to Mr.
Weir, 'You enjoy being outspoken and a free spirit. You
have said frequently that you have been brought up to speak
your mind. However, you refuse to support the very
community that paved the way for you," Lund said. "I
say to all those that believe my comments about Mr.
Weir were homophobic to take a step back and realize the
beliefs you are actually expressing. Mr. Weir is an
individual who enjoys all the rights of the gay
community without coming out to support the gay
community. Now, who is the hypocrite here? Most certainly
not me."
A record 146,311
tickets have been sold for this week's skating events.
(Hassan Mirza, Gay.com U.K.)
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