Olympic Artist Series, Issue #9: Johnny Weir

We are halfway through our Olympic Artist Series. If you've enjoyed this content, please consider making a donation to Ice Theatre of New York! The creation of our art relies on the generosity of passionate supporters like you.

And now, on to the ninth edition of our Olympic Artist Series...

Welcome to Day 9 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, and Day 9 of our editorial project featuring Olympic artists in our Ice Theatre of New York family.

Aside from world-class Olympians, these artists have served as performance partners, honorees, and advocates for Ice Theatre of New York. Looking back at all these beautiful partnerships, I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have worked with skaters who perform at the highest level of both sport and artistry.

Today, I am thrilled that we are featuring the fabulously unpredictable Johnny Weir, our 2011 Ice Theatre of New York honoree.

Best wishes to all the 2026 Winter Olympic Competitors!

-Moi

This story has been adapted from our 2025 Ice Theatre of New York Gala Program by Edward Z. Epstein -  The Audio version of Edward  Z. Epstein’s current book, “FRANK & MARILYN:  The Lives, The Loves, and The Fascinating Relationship of Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe,” is now available on Audible.

"I love Johnny Weir!" exclaimed leading fashionista Rachel Zoe, a sentiment echoed by Johnny's iconic friend Lady Gaga and many others in and out of the skating world.

While he "dares to be different," he has in fact achieved a higher goal: he dares to be himself, and does not take his success for granted. "I enjoy every second of my career. I realize how lucky I am, how fortunate. The sheer outpouring of love from audiences is thrilling."

Like Sonja Henie, the groundbreaker in the era of showmanship-on-ice who introduced, among other elements, balletic moves, short skirts and a distinctive personality into competitive skating, Johnny is of Norwegian descent. 

Unlike Sonja, and most other skating champions, Johnny was a very late starter on the ice. By the age of twelve, when he began, most serious competitors are already veterans. A rural Pennsylvanian, he started out self-taught, experimenting on the frozen Amish-country cornfields behind his home. His skates were old and worn out, but out there on the ice, a bit magical. Horseback riding was another passion; a choice had to be made: skating had won his heart.

A skating career was a very costly undertaking — not only in dollars but in emotional commitment — and would require great family sacrifice. The Weirs forged ahead. Johnny's fearlessness, determination and dedication were invaluable natural assets. Within four years, at age sixteen, he won gold at the 2001 World Junior championships.

But this sense of showmanship was anything but an asset in the formal and conservative world of competitive figure skating. Razzle-dazzle "being different," was not a point-worthy element on a judge's computer; generating any kind of controversy was a skater's bête noir. Restraining his artistic sensibilities to conform to the stringent rules and regulations was highly stressful; over the years there were crises-of-confidence. Renowned coach Priscilla Hill was instrumental in his development; final results, more often than not, were rewarding and worth the effort.

"I saw that he had something unique right from the beginning, and I told him so," states legendary former two-time World champion — and a master of the art-of-showmanship herself — Aja Zanova Steindler (2005 Ice Theatre honoree). "I first met Johnny when he'd been invited to skate at the Harlem Skating Club at Central Park's Wollman Rink. Johnny was unknown at that point. But after he skated, I went over to him and told him, 'You've got a future. But you've got to work hard.' I loved his style — strong, elegant, dramatic. He had the potential to become a great artist."

Johnny persevered, achieving an enviable competitive record: in 2004, at the age of twenty, he became U.S. national champion. He retained the title in 2005 and 2006 — few have won three consecutive National titles — earning a spot on the '06 U.S. Olympic team. At the Games that year, in Torino, Italy, he achieved second place in the short program, finishing fifth overall. The media adored him — he was described as "edgy, elegant and unpredictable." 

In 2010, at age twenty-six, he competed in his second Olympics in Vancouver before officially retiring from competitive skating in 2013.

Johnny was the right personality, in the right place, at the right time, for his subsequent emergence into the big-time showbiz spotlight. He joined NBC as a figure skating analyst, teaming up with sports commentator Terry Gannon and fellow Olympic figure skater, Tara Lipinski. Their chemistry was an instant success, and they’ve been a staple on the airwaves ever since.

Aside from broadcasting, Johnny has proven successful with many endeavors off-the-ice as a writer, singer, reality TV star, and even fashion designer. He is a passionate LGBTQ+ advocate, receiving the Human Rights Campaign visibility award in 2010. HRC spokesman Dr. Marty Lieberman noted: "Johnny has given courage to all the little boys and girls out there who want to pursue their dreams." 

In 2021, Johnny was inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame.

Johnny retains an unspoiled spirit, a sense of humor, and wonder at all he has achieved thus far. Ice Theatre of New York founder Moira North said, "The joy and release of his work have enabled him to retain a fundamental simplicity, an honesty, and he's remained excitingly unpredictable, the true signature of a genuine artist."

Thank you, Johnny, for all you've done for our sport, our art, and our community!

This program is supported, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy C. Hochul and the New York State Legislature. ITNY is also supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council, and NYC Council Members Abreu, Bottcher, Powers and Marte. ITNY's Manhattan programming is funded in part by a grant from the New York City Tourism Foundation.

Additionally, ITNY receives funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Daniel & Corrine Cichy Memorial Foundation,The Lisa McGraw Figure Skating Foundation, the Will Sears Foundation, and its generous private patrons.

Photo credit ITNY Archives

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