The first day, I met Johnny and his agent Tara, and really didn't do much for the rest of the day. My task was to be with him at all times in case he needed to communicate with anybody. However, since the show was the next day, he was pretty much on the ice the whole time, rehearsing. I watched, FREEZING my buns off! Have you ever been in an ice rink for 8 hours? I don't know how these skaters do it...
When it was other skaters' turns to practice, he would take breaks in his room and I would just sit in there with him, chatting. Fortunately, he didn't turn out to be a diva! In fact, he is one of the coolest, funniest, kindest, most inspirational people I have ever met. He's so confident and positive, and is still so REAL despite his status. He told me that he isn't so famous in America because he's been training with Russia for a while now, but also, well let's face it, figure skating is not exactly on the same level as football here. But still, within the circles he is huge, and he said that he has gotten quite a reputation because he tries to keep it real and speaks honestly in interviews and reporters have twisted and/or isolated his words out of context to portray him as a cocky diva. He says he has to try very hard to not let his head get big, and that he has very few friends in American ice skating because most of them have let their fame and glory get to them. I have to admit that I'm still not sure yet if he's gay or not, because he has a very flamboyant personality when he is in a hyper mood. Being in the industry probably had a lot of influence there too; it IS a very graceful sport. He carries himself very gracefully and kind of reminds me of a swan (notably, he is most famous for his piece "The Swan"). And he wants to be a fashion designer when he retires from figure skating. But when I talk to him he is totally down-to-earth and just a normal 24 year-old guy. Who has better fashion and style than me and knows how to put on make-up better than I do (he does his own make up). He is so friendly and open (in every sense of the word! I know it's because he's an athlete, but within an hour of meeting, he was taking off all his clothes down to his underwear as he changed in front of me in his dressing room. I didn't know where to look!) and is always smiling and saying hi to literally everyone. Such a hard worker too!
This is Monica. She was in charge of the show, and my direct superior.
Russians and their fur:
Actually Johnny's not Russian. He was born and raised in Pennsylvania. But he speaks Russian fluently and seems to identify himself more with the culture than America.
Terry, a manager that worked with us three:
Johnny getting interviewed for a radio show in the locker room:
The press conference that I translated for! I actually held the mic! And cameras flashed and reporters asked me questions! (You can see my sleeve, I'm in the puffy white jacket at the end of the table)
That was scary and totally unexpected. They had specifically told me that they had a professional translator for these kind of things and that I would just be his personal translator but it was still exciting!
Cheers!
The next day was completely different and absolutely disastrous and frightening. Johnny suddenly became very very sick and started throwing up everything in his stomach, which wasn't much because, although he normally watches what he eats, the day before a show he really does not eat anything. Must have been the water or the coffee or something because he was literally running to the bathroom every 5 minutes to heave again. The nurse on hand said it was probably due to fatigue because he had just had a 14 hour flight (he landed the morning before), rehearsed right away in the freezing rink for the whole day, and didn't get much sleep at night due to jet lag. What a strange reaction to fatigue. I still think it was the water. I remember when I first got to Korea and had bathroom issues for a week or so. But Johnny had been to Asia and Korea a few times before and said this had never happened.
Usually when you keep barfing, you start feeling better because you're getting the offensive germs out. Johnny kept getting worse though. Soon, he couldn't even sit up without feeling dizzy and started shivering like crazy. Because he's on the US Olympics team, he couldn't take any of the shots or medications we had on hand because, as you probably know, the regulations on drugs is very strict. It being the holidays, plus the time difference, it was impossible to reach someone in the States who could authorize Johnny to take even any pain relievers. It was so heartbreaking watching him suffer.
The show wasn't until 4 pm, and by 3 he wasn't feeling any better. We lost hope and pulled him from all the group dances and one of the duets with Yunah in the program. His press conference and interviews were all cancelled, and we were all busy trying to do anything to warm him up and make him sleep. I ran around so much that day in my heels but I think it was the adrenaline because I didn't even feel drained. With his condition, he really should have been taken to the hospital or somewhere warm with a bed immediately, but the people in charge said that he couldn't just be a no-show when he was one of the stars of the show. We felt awful for having to make him perform when he could barely stand, but they were right. The entire show was marketed emphasizing him and Yunah and he had come all the way here for just 2 days. Johnny kept saying he felt awful too and that he was ruining the show. What a sweetie. Can you even tell from these photos that he's about to pass out?
He was such a professional. We held his barf bag by the door to the rink just in case he felt queasy as he did all his spins and turns. My boss and I cried as we watched (hehehe), knowing how much pain he was hiding. As soon as he finished his last piece, we zoomed him off to the hospital. Through luck (and connections), of course. There happened to be a doctor attending the show and he tried to help, but he was a neurosurgeon so he couldn't do much. He called up some buddies and they were happy to help even on Christmas Day.
To top off the night, someone stole Johnny's present for Yunah. He had designed a necklace for her that matched his, an angel's wing. It was in his bag in the dressing room the whole time, so that means someone who knew about it and had access to the room snuck in during the few minutes that we were all out at the rink as he performed. Insane!!! My boss actually found the blue wrapping and ribbon that tied the box in the trash can in the room. The nerve and gall of this thief! No conscience!
After sending him off, I went to meet Eunjung, who had just arrived in Korea the night before. It just so happened that she lived in the neighborhood of the ice rink so we just met at a cafe to see each other and have a little chat. It was late so I went home after since I was suddenly feeling very drained after the day's events.
The next day, I went to go pick up Shelly from the airport! I am so happy she is going to spend 2 weeks with me. I have already been planning every one of those 14 days since a month ago. I also got a call that Johnny is completely fine now (I guess he really did just need some rest) and he wants to go shopping the next day.
Johnny with some presents from his loving fans:
What a great experience. I think I'm seriously blessed!
