The Adam Rippon Good News Thread

[Sylvia]

I thought Adam spoke eloquently in this clip from his #TalkinTokyo show earlier today: https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics/status/1420452912690499586

"We should trust Simone, with her resume, knows her own limits. As a culture, we need to redefine what it means to be brave and to be strong."

ETA - many thanks to @BittyBug for transcribing what he said (I forgot NBC is geoblocked outside USA) in the Tokyo Olympics Gymnastics thread:

"It's hard to believe that the overwhelming favorite or gold in multiple events sidelined herself during the team competition and now in the all-around. But as hard as it was to believe it's really not that hard to understand, and it was without question the right thing to do.

So for just a second, let's just try to image the amount of expectations that are put on athletes like Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka. Not many people can, if anyone. The extra scrutiny female athletes face, and specifically, black female athletes face, is unfathomable and it's unfair.

Stress and pressure have a price and the body keeps score. In gymnastics, mental and physical health are intertwined. Yesterday, Simone said that she had "the twisties." Having the twisties is when a gymnast can't find themselves in the air. They feel lost and they feel out of control, they tell their minds to do one thing and their body does another. They are physically and mentally not in sync.

Other gymnasts have weighed in and they've said that the vault that Simone performed last night was so off that had it been any other athlete, they would have blown out their knee or ended up with an injury that could have left them completely paralyzed. Thankfully, Simone recognized that danger and chose her safety over everything else.

We should trust that Simone, with her resume, knows her own limits. The mentality of "gold at any cost" doesn't come without a price, and as a culture we need to redefine what it means to be brave, and what it means to be strong. I, for one, am grateful that Simone Biles is showing us the way."

ETA #2 - Adam has shared a longer 5-minute version via Instagram (Simone replied in the comments with "" ): https://www.instagram.com/tv/CR5dPboFyDD/

Thanks, Simone

During our rehearsal, I was warming up on the prompter before we filmed yesterday, and I read through an essay I wrote to prep for when we went live. On the live show I read a shorter version but I mean every word. Simone, you are more than just a gymnast. We’ve never met but I hope you feel how loved and admired you are.

Thanks to my #TalkinTokyo team for sending it to me and letting me share and @sarahhughes11 for helping me to organize everything I wanted to say.

Leslie Jones re-posted the same video on her Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/1420733165346295820

 

[Sylvia]

'Messyness' sounds perfect for Adam! https://www.instagram.com/p/CS7jcTqMzJ4/

'We Embrace Our Messy Moments': Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi, Tori Spelling, Adam Rippon & Teddy Ray Preview MTV's 'Messyness'

Celebrities such as Snooki from "The Jersey Shore" and Tori Spelling from "90210" will be discussing the messiest moments of their lives and careers and the craziest videos on the Internet in a new MTV series.

pittsburgh.cbslocal.com

Another spin-off of the hit series “Ridiculousness” is coming to MTV and this show features some of the biggest names in Hollywood. “Jersey Shore” star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, “90210” mainstay Tori Spelling, Olympian Adam Rippon and comedian Teddy Ray star in “Messyness,” which premieres Monday, August 23 at 7pm EST/PST on MTV.
The celebrities will discuss the messiest moments of their lives and careers and will also comment on the most insane clips from the internet. Everything from awkward proposals to nights gone wrong will be featured on the show with hilarious commentary from the panel of celebrities. CBS Local’s DJ Sixsmith recently chatted with Polizzi, Spelling, Rippon and Ray about the new series and what it’s like when the public witnesses the messiest moments of your life.

 

[Sylvia]

Adam was on Polina Edmunds' podcast after he returned from the Tokyo Olympics (90 mins.):

Bleav in Figure Skating

Tune in as Team USA Olympic figure skater Polina Edmunds carves out the world of figure skating.

art19.com

I chat with Olympian Adam Rippon about his skating career: making it to the Olympics after 9 years of skating Senior, the mentality it took to get him there, his selection for the 2018 team and all the criteria he worked hard (and smart) for, his experience at the 2018 games with media attention, Dancing with the Stars and all the fun opportunities post-Olympics, his future career goals of continuing working in entertainment, his experience at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics last month being a media personality, his approach as a choreographer for skaters now, his thoughts on current skating, who he's got his eye on for this upcoming Olympic season, and the importance of a good support system in sports.

Polina shared some throwback photos of them on her IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/CSryNT_p0PA/

 

[Sylvia]

Dec. 21, 2021 People article:

Adam Rippon Reunites with Fiancé Jussi-Pekka Kajaala After Years of Long-Distance Dating

Adam Rippon and fiancé Jussi-Pekka Kajaala are finally living together in Los Angeles after years of dating long distance, the former Olympic figure skater revealed on Instagram on Monday.

people.com

 

[sk9tingfan]

www.Inquirer.com announced that Adam has received his Olympic credential as Mariah Bell's primary coach; he received it last Sunday. I would put the link in but it requires a subscription.

 

[Sylvia]

Link is:

Adam Rippon adds to his Olympic legacy by helping coach U.S. champion Mariah Bell

Bell, the only skater Rippon coaches, won gold at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and was named to the Olympic team that will compete next month in Beijing.

www.inquirer.com

Meet Adam's & JP's new "little mutt, Tony": https://www.instagram.com/p/CX4RX2fvssn/

 

[Sylvia]

Congrats Adam & JP! https://www.instagram.com/p/CY66VcilRbQ/

SURPRISE WE ARE MARRIED One afternoon JP and I looked at each other and said the very classic romantic phrase of “let’s just go do it now”. So we did. It was just the three of us and it was perfect 12/31/21

 

[Sylvia]

[Philly Inquirer] announced that Adam has received his Olympic credential as Mariah Bell's primary coach; he received it last Sunday. I would put the link in but it requires a subscription.

Found the same article republished in the Scranton Times (Adam's "hometown" paper): https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/ad...cle_a7745b3e-f9b9-54ec-b05d-c47cfcba3ec3.html

“When we get home, I’m going to be talking with Rafael and with Mariah, and we’ll kind of see, like, what is the best plan for her? And how will she get the most out of her Olympic experience? And that’s a decision that we’ll make together as a team.
“I’ve made her do so many different kinds of runthroughs. She’s done long programs where she’s had to do a triple toe at the end of everything. She’s done long programs where she’s had to do a double toe-double loop at the end of everything, a double axel at the end of everything. So maybe it’s never something she’s done in competition, but she’s prepared to make a clutch decision if she has to, and yesterday [adding 2A to 3Lz for her 3rd combo] she made absolutely the right call.”

At the end:

Whether or not he’ll be in Beijing, Rippon will be involved in the Olympics, as NBC hired him to host a show with another former Olympian, Ashley Wagner, who is also one of his closest friends. Olympic Ice is still in the early planning stages, but is scheduled to be streamed on Peacock during the Games.

 

[Allskate]

It makes me very happy that Adam and Ashley will be doing an Olympics show together, especially after what happened with the last Olympics.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

It makes me very happy that Adam and Ashley will be doing an Olympics show together, especially after what happened with the last Olympics.

When I was going into the arena one day in Nashville, Ashley was exiting and when she saw Adam on the sidewalk she took off running toward him. They shared a big hug.

 

[Allskate]

The Scranton article says that Raf is Mariah's main coach and that it isn't clear if Adam will be at the boards, but they would discuss what was best for Mariah. So, I gather that they discussed it and decided that Mariah would do best being with Adam just before and after her skate so, for purposes of the Olympics he will be considered her "main coach?"

The article also says that Mariah is the only skater he is coaching. I guess this is a good way for Adam to figure out if coaching is something he wants to pursue as a career.

 

[Sylvia]

This People article (Jan. 19) has details of their impromptu wedding:

Surprise! Adam Rippon Married Fiancé Jussi-Pekka Kajaala: 'We Always Wanted to Do Something Simple'

The longtime couple decided to elope on New Year's Eve

people.com

Looks like he will be in Beijing with Mariah:

While he and Rippon are still adjusting to not having to ride the emotional roller coaster that comes with constant comings and goings — "You don't have to worry about calendar or how many days do I have left before I need to go back. It's so nice," says Kajaala — he will get some time on his own to settle in next month while Rippon is in Beijing for the Winter Olympics, where he's coaching national champion Mariah Bell.

 

[Sylvia]

Associated Press article by Barry Wilner (Jan. 22, 2022):

Adam Rippon looks back at his role in 2018 Olympics

So, it's just another competition? Got to treat the Winter Olympics that way? Many athletes say that, perhaps trying to convince themselves that the Games are a regular, no major deal kind of event.

apnews.com

“I enjoy doing a lot of comedy work and try to take it more seriously (as a profession),” he says. “I’ve gotten to experiment and explore what I really enjoy doing. Entertainment is so broad in what you can pursue. I’ve loved everything I have gotten to do in a comedy space. In the years coming and this year I really want to focus on that, working more in comedy.
“I’ve had a chance to do some comedy writing, which is really something I am passionate about, to be in that space, and another challenge to put all of my focus into.”

 

[Sylvia]

So far Adam has shared three videos from his TikTok - this 1-min. Instagram reel recaps his day yesterday... he was a "seat filler" in the USA team box for the first part of the Day 2 team event before heading to the practice rink with Mariah: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CZpBGkCltG5/

"I abandoned my student by accident. Not every coach is perfect.": https://www.instagram.com/tv/CZmXTUMFoQe/


First days in Beijing with Mariah & quick look into the practice rink: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZhHO09lXgM/

 

[Sylvia]

@AngieNikodinovLove - here you go. Re-posting your article link from the U.S. Men's thread in GSD:

Adam Rippon celebrates turning 33 with some sweet life advice and a twinky throwback photo

Rippon showed gratitude to all those who have helped him reach this stage in his life. Adam Rippon showed gratitude to all those who have helped him reach this stage in his life.

www.queerty.com

Adam's reflections on his 33rd birthday (Instagram post featured in the above article): https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck_tQVayWbr/

Turning 33 on 11/11/22 This picture is from 10 years ago. I just tired 23 and I JUST moved to California. When I think about everything that’s happened in the last ten years, it’s truly WILD. I’ll forever be grateful to the skinny kid wearing the backwards cap in this picture (I really thought I was serving tbh) because when I moved here, I didn’t have anything. What I did have was amazing people around me who went out of their way to help me. It was really embarrassing to ask for help because I didn’t want anyone to know I was struggling. The friends, coaches, family, and random stranger who showed me kindness when I had nothing to offer; I will always be grateful for you. You saved me, shaped who I am today, and made such an impact on my life that I’ll never be able to thank you enough… but THANK YOU . I appreciate all the birthday message and I love you ALL so very much. Being 33 is a gift and I can’t wait to celebrate it all year long

ETA:

Adam was a guest on The Randy Rainbow Podcast (November 3, 2022):

‎The Randy Rainbow Podcast: 7. ADAM RIPPON is off the market! on Apple Podcasts

‎Show The Randy Rainbow Podcast, Ep 7. ADAM RIPPON is off the market! - Nov 3, 2022

podcasts.apple.com

 

[Sylvia]

Adam will be one of the celebrity guests on NBC's "The Wheel" tonight - Wednesday, Dec. 28 - at 8 pm Eastern (and streaming on Peacock the next day) - his promo post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmt0N3tP1mP/

The Wheel: “Wigs Galore, Dogs & More”
"Contestants hope for answers from celebrity experts Bobby Berk, Margaret Cho, Kate Flannery, Loni Love, Andy Richter and Adam Rippon in categories that include wigs, comedians, dogs, figure skating and more."

Adam (also Johnny vs. Tara) will appear on FOX's "Celebrity Name that Tune" - season 3 is scheduled to start on January 11, 2023: http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/...nuary-11-at-8-7c-on-fox-290515/20221130fox03/

Professional Wrestler Chris Jericho, playing for Juvenile Diabetes Research vs. Olympic Medalist Adam Rippon, playing for Pups Without Borders

I recall him posting about a work trip to Dublin back in the summer - apparently this show is taped there.

He recently launched a podcast called "Normalize This" with Danielle Young:

Normalize This

Listen to Normalize This from SpringHill in podcast apps like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and others

podnews.net

 

[Sylvia]

Happy 1st Anniversary to Adam & JP!

Adam's post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm1ikBkvBm8/

Today is our ONE YEAR anniversary of being married. OKAY! So, I have decided to be serious but just for this post!!! JP is the kindest, most thoughtful, and handsome (I MEAN COME ON) person I have ever met. In JP, I have found someone who pushes me to be the best version of myself everyday and to believe in all the things I want to accomplish. I hope that I'm able to do the same for him too. I am so excited for all the great things, professionally and personally, we are BOTH going to do in the coming year. I am ready for all the amazing moments 2023 will have to offer us I'm grateful EVERYDAY that this tall Finnish boy agreed to move all the way the way to California. JP, I LOVE YOU

JP's post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm1t5kaLLBu/

Happy anniversary to my wonderful husband. We met five years ago and we have been married for a year. I always say that this time feels like forever which I mean in the best possible way. We have experienced SO MANY things together, we have grown so much independently AND together, we give each other the freedom, space and support to be what we want to be, we understand each other better than anyone else does, we have so many amazing dreams and goals for our future and still the most basic day is the one that feels the most special with you. Love is an amazing thing that I hope everyone can find in life. I love you Adam! Getting old with you (you are off to a great start (see the last picture)) will be an exciting adventure. I wish 2023 will be an amazing year for you, me and us!!

 

[Sylvia]

Adam posted that he will face off in FOX's "Celebrity Name that Tune" season 3 premiere against pro wrestler Chris Jericho tonight (Jan. 11): https://www.instagram.com/p/CnR3TNNvsYs/

One of us was wearing cowboy boots covered in silver glitter and unfortunately that was NOT me. Chris and I are on Name That Tune TONIGHT 1/11. I'm playing for @pupswithoutborders (the rescue our dog, Tony, is from! They are the best) SEE YOU AT 8/7c!

 

[Sylvia]

Adam posted that he will face off in FOX's "Celebrity Name that Tune" season 3 premiere

He lost to Chris Jericho but this May 7th tweet went viral long after the show aired: https://twitter.com/AdamRippon/status/1655091670336061440

"The red planet is calling": https://www.instagram.com/p/CsRJ80NuiPb/
Scheduled to premiere Monday, June 5th on Fox:

‘Stars On Mars’: Natasha Leggero, Ariel Winter, Lance Armstrong, Adam Rippon, Ronda Rousey Among Celebs Set For Fox Competition Series

Fox has set the 12 fearless celebrities who soon will be packing their bags and preparing for launch to the red planet (sort of) on Stars On Mars.

deadline.com

Adam recorded a podcast episode of "The Runthrough" last month when Ashley was unavailable (he and Sarah H. discussed World Team Trophy & his old exhibition programs): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...rce-or-financial/id1678259172?i=1000609617177

Today Lilah Fear posted a clip with her latest (May 15) "Lilah Jo Show" podcast guest: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsRYsYItywp/

Adam Rippon: The Secret to Fearless Confidence

Listen to this episode from The Lilah Jo Show on Spotify. Adam Rippon:Need I say more? Charm, charisma, commitment to his dreams and comedic timing … how can you not love Adam?Most of you know Adam from the 2018 Winter Olympics, where he won the bronze medal with Team USA, while also winning the...

open.spotify.com

 

[kwanette]

He lost to Chris Jericho but this May 7th tweet went viral long after the show aired: https://twitter.com/AdamRippon/status/1655091670336061440

"The red planet is calling": https://www.instagram.com/p/CsRJ80NuiPb/
Scheduled to premiere Monday, June 5th on Fox:

‘Stars On Mars’: Natasha Leggero, Ariel Winter, Lance Armstrong, Adam Rippon, Ronda Rousey Among Celebs Set For Fox Competition Series

Fox has set the 12 fearless celebrities who soon will be packing their bags and preparing for launch to the red planet (sort of) on Stars On Mars.

deadline.com

Adam recorded a podcast episode of "The Runthrough" last month when Ashley was unavailable (he and Sarah H. discussed World Team Trophy & his old exhibition programs): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...rce-or-financial/id1678259172?i=1000609617177

Today Lilah Fear posted a clip with her latest (May 15) "Lilah Jo Show" podcast guest: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsRYsYItywp/

Adam Rippon: The Secret to Fearless Confidence

Listen to this episode from The Lilah Jo Show on Spotify. Adam Rippon:Need I say more? Charm, charisma, commitment to his dreams and comedic timing … how can you not love Adam?Most of you know Adam from the 2018 Winter Olympics, where he won the bronze medal with Team USA, while also winning the...

open.spotify.com

I can hear Lilah..but not Adam..

 

[BittyBug]

I can hear Lilah..but not Adam..

He drops in at 2:27.

 

[kwanette]

He drops in at 2:27.

TY!

 

[Sylvia]

"The red planet is calling": https://www.instagram.com/p/CsRJ80NuiPb/
Scheduled to premiere Monday, June 5th on Fox

"But where on earth will they actually be? Stars on Mars was filmed in Coober Pedy, an opal-mining town in southern Australia."

'Stars on Mars': Watch first footage from Fox's galactically goofy reality show

Check out the first footage from 'Stars on Mars,' Fox's galactically goofy reality show hosted by Star Trek legend William Shatner.

ew.com

Looks like this was taken when Adam was/is in Australia to film this show: https://www.instagram.com/p/CsTusutOrfp/

 

[DreamSkates]

"But where on earth will they actually be? Stars on Mars was filmed in Coober Pedy, an opal-mining town in southern Australia."

'Stars on Mars': Watch first footage from Fox's galactically goofy reality show

Check out the first footage from 'Stars on Mars,' Fox's galactically goofy reality show hosted by Star Trek legend William Shatner.

ew.com

Looks like this was taken when Adam was/is in Australia to film this show: https://www.instagram.com/p/CsTusutOrfp/

Saw the first night of the show. He made it through the first round.

 

[Sylvia]

'Celebronaut' Adam has survived to the final 7 in Stars on Mars!

Olympics.com's Pride Month feature by Nick McCarvel (June 22, 2023): https://olympics.com/en/news/adam-rippon-exclusive-olympic-coming-out-power-sport-lgbtq-pride-month

June 17:

Adam Rippon: 25 Things You Don’t Know About Me

Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon let Us in on 25 hilarious (and sincere) secrets about himself — exclusive interview

www.usmagazine.com

 

[Sylvia]

Adam greeted William Shatner on "Mars" in last week's Stars on Mars episode (first photo): https://www.instagram.com/p/CwdDaUQSEdg/

Chef Cat Cora shared some behind-the-scenes pics before tonight's finale (5 are left): https://www.instagram.com/p/CwdvzIhJT1s/

"Adam Rippon, Cat Cora, and Tinashe are tasked with questioning Paul Pierce, Porsha Williams, and Marshawn Lynch [he already was eliminated last week] to figure out who is mission critical and who will be eliminated." (preview clip from tonight's finale): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ywlAxvHqOY

Talia Barrington's article on Adam that was published on July 26:

Adam Rippon Made History as an Openly Gay Athlete. Now He’s on Mars.

The former figure skater tells Obsessed about his unexpected journey from the rink, where he was the first openly gay Winter Olympian to medal, to the reality show “Stars on Mars.”

www.thedailybeast.com

Excerpts:

Ultimately, Rippon made the decision to stay, crediting not only the support of his husband, but the kindness of both cast and crew, all of whom saw how much the altercation upset him. He shared that shortly after the scene shown in Episode 5, the audio crew cut in, claiming his mic needed fixing. “Nothing was wrong with my mic,” he said. “They just took me out to stand in the sun for 15 minutes. I really appreciated that kindness.”
As uncomfortable as the incident made him, looking back, Rippon recognized how much closer it brought him to the rest of the cast. Calling former Modern Family star Ariel Winter “the strongest woman I know” and describing Williams as a friend for life, he also cited getting to know NFL cornerback Richard Sherman and MMA fighter Ronda Rousey as highlights of his time on the show.
“Ronda really surprised me,” he said, enthusiastic-iPhone-waving back in play. “Because she is one of the nicest people I've ever met. And she's also somebody who could murder me bare-handedly.”

As filming of the show progressed, the celebronauts’ investment in the game intensified, and Rippon found himself having to remind himself and others that they were still, actually, on Earth, and it was just a reality TV show.
“I was having so much fun with everybody, and I totally got sucked into the drama of surviving on ‘Mars’ sometimes,” he said. “But when I could see other people getting more sucked in than me: that’s really when I felt the most joy, because I went, ‘OK. I haven’t cracked as much as they have!’”

“You know, you don’t expect, on a silly show like this, to learn about yourself. Or learn how you can be in uncomfortable situations and push through to find a hidden strength that I think exists within all of us,” he pauses, unable to contain himself, “But I’m mostly glad I got to meet William Shatner [who is 92]. I really need to ask him what his skincare routine is.”

 

[sk9tingfan]

Adam won!

'Stars on Mars' winner reveals what you didn't see on season finale

The 'Stars on Mars' winner reveals what you didn't see on the finale and why they almost threw the mission: 'We had been out there for so long. We're sweating and William Shatner is covered in flies.'

ew.com

 

[Sylvia]

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

(he includes pics with 7 of his fellow ‘celebronauts’): https://www.instagram.com/p/CwhxkU-OdHR/

ETA - and of the "OG 3": https://www.instagram.com/p/Cwh_UmUOOFR/

 

[love skating]

EW article:

'Stars on Mars' winner reveals what you didn't see on season finale

The 'Stars on Mars' winner reveals what you didn't see on the finale and why they almost threw the mission: 'We had been out there for so long. We're sweating and William Shatner is covered in flies.'

ew.com

Reading the article Adam says he wanted to throw the win to Tinashe or at least finish at the same time but she was too far behind. Gotta love TV editing to make it look like a nail biter! Anyway, congrats Brightest Star Adam!

 

[Sylvia]

I just saw on Adam's latest Instagram story that he won $56,000 for Pups Without Borders on "Name That Tune" last night - I believe Season 3 Episode 7 (should be available on Hulu) can be watched online via a free preview here:

Watch Name That Tune: Season 3, Episode 7, "Sport Star Showdown" Online - Fox Nation

Name That Tune - Sport Star Showdown: Sports stars John Salley, Adam Rippon, Rashad Jennings and Todd Gurley compete for their charities.

www.fox.com

Adam & JP recently adopted a second dog, Tracy, from Pups Without Borders : https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxjCs-uyfrO/

ETA the link to a local PA article previewing the episode:

Former Olympian from Clarks Summit appears on Name That Tune tonight on FOX56

Bronze medal winner of the 2018 Winter Olympics, Adam Rippon who is from Clarks Summit, appears on Name That Tune tonight at 8pm on FOX56!Hosted by Tony Award w

fox56.com