How Elladj Baldé took on ice skating's elitism and went viral

[Orm Irian]

The Guardian has just published a nice story about Elladj Baldé's recent viral videos, his experience of competitive skating as a Black Canadian skater and his post-competitive career: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/feb/19/elladj-balde-ice-skater-canada

 

[Judy]

I saw that! So cool!

 

[BittyBug]

I've been enjoying Baldé's outdoor skating videos but have been wondering what he has on his feet. Maybe it's the white laces, but they look like those blue rubberized rental skates, which would make his tricks all the more impressive. Does anyone recognize his equipment?

 

[made_in_canada]

Elladj was featured in the opening for Hockey Night in Canada today. I am so thrilled that people outside of figure skating are paying attention to him!

https://twitter.com/sportsnet/status/1365818645461536768?s=21

 

[overedge]

I've been enjoying Baldé's outdoor skating videos but have been wondering what he has on his feet. Maybe it's the white laces, but they look like those blue rubberized rental skates, which would make his tricks all the more impressive. Does anyone recognize his equipment?

Riedell makes custom boots in all kinds of colours. He may have a pair of Riedells that are navy/dark blue.

Custom Skates | Riedell Ice Skates

 

[Orm Irian]

Jordan from OnIce Perspectives just posted a video from 2018 of Elladj's 'Sounds of Silence' short program from his final competitive season, filmed at Ice Theatre of New York. I'd forgotten just how gorgeous that program is...

Login • Instagram

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

www.instagram.com

 

[feetwerk]

I am always entranced by Elladj. His ability to use the ice, his body, his edges and his music, is a gift. He doesn't need tricks to mesmerize me. It was always a thrill ţo know he was in the building at competitions. Now it's a thrill to have him in my insta feed.

 

[JasperBoy]

It is wonderful to see and know that Elladj is having such a great influence in so many aspects of athletics and society. His talent transcends competition.

 

[Sylvia]

Article by Phil Hersh (March 11):

A social media sensation, Elladj Baldé uses his new stature to champion figure skaters of color

Elladj Baldé, who had long wondered if there was a place in the sport for a Black man, suddenly found himself on social media, filling the vacuum that occurred when COVID-19 closures left skaters and their fans in an airless environment.

olympics.nbcsports.com

Excerpt:

“Elladj has always been this unbelievable performer, pushing boundaries and drawing people in when he skates,” [Jason] Brown said. “He has this unique ability to capture an audience through personal storytelling pieces that resonate with viewers.
“He’s always been insanely special, but what has changed is that people are now paying attention. It’s incredible to see him getting the recognition that he deserves. He deserved it while he competed, and he deserves it now.”
In the middle of last year, Baldé became a co-founder and president of the Figure Skating Diversity and Inclusion Alliance, whose mission is “to foster a more diverse and inclusive figure skating environment worldwide through policy change, program development and funding for the next generation of athletes.”

ETA his most recent skating on Lake Louise videos:

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CMIk1Zsp30A/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMFsHd6JNXY/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMSjkJ2JTRr/

 

[Sylvia]

CBS Weekend Saturday news anchor Adriana Diaz's story on Elladj:

Canadian figure skater Elladj Baldé shatters the traditional world of figure skating with viral videos

"People love skating," Baldé said. "It's just, it hasn't modernized itself."

www.cbsnews.com

The 2.5 minute segment can also be watched via IGTV video on her IG account: https://www.instagram.com/tv/COElGqrATnN/

Also appearing in the story are Maxime-Billy Fortin (skating footage), FSDIA member Mariyah (Thurston) Gerber, and pair skater Gabriel Farand.

 

[Sylvia]

I think @Alvyne meant to (cross) post the link in this thread :

Elladj Baldé was on a talk show via zoom last night [April 28]. In French.

Elladj Baldé, ce patineur artistique qui enflamme la toile | Bonsoir bonsoir!

Elladj Baldé ne s'est jamais senti aussi libre de s'exprimer que depuis qu'il a quitté l'équipe canadienne de patinage artistique canadienne, à 28 ans.

ici.radio-canada.ca

Elladj Baldé has never felt so free to express himself as since leaving the Canadian figure skating team at the age of 28. Today, the videos he produces on social networks where we see him dancing on outdoor rinks generate millions of views around the world.

 

[Dr.TylerPhD]

Do they ever have outdoor skating competitions?

Maybe it could be something done more in figure skating as other sports do sometimes have indoor vs. outdoor events.

 

[Erin]

It's great to see Elladj getting so much positive attention these days. I always enjoyed his style in his competitive days and just wished he was more consistent on the jumps. But I like that he is taking it a step further with what he is doing in the instagram and tiktok videos and providing a lot of inspiration for people of colour in the sport.

Does anyone know what he is doing in LA now?

 

[Sylvia]

Elladj guiding actress Octavia Spencer on the ice : https://www.instagram.com/tv/CO6xePDgqG_/

 

[Sylvia]

openicecollective's video post today: https://www.instagram.com/p/CPTlMgtp2L3/

Standing in solidarity with Elladj Balde and our skating family at the Figure Skating Diversity and Inclusion Alliance on the one year anniversary of George Floyd’s death.

We’ve come a long way, and we still have so much more to go.

Hear Elladj’s story and more, on Open Ice II: Visionaries. Coming soon.

 

[Sylvia]

elladjbalde "Best weekend of my entire life ": https://www.instagram.com/reel/CSZ5asJJIyq/

Big Sur, CA is an amazing place to celebrate their wedding! Michelle Dawley's clip: https://www.instagram.com/p/CSYBI-fhAj6/

Congrats to the happy couple!

ETA:

Professional Figure Skater Elladj Bladé Is Married: 'Best Weekend of My Entire Life'

The social media star, 30, and his wife Michelle Dawley tied the knot over the weekend in an intimate ceremony

people.com

 

[victorskid]

And now it's been announced that Elladj (and Mirai Nagasu) have been added to complete the cast for the Canadian SOI tour: https://www.starsonice.ca/articles/...ic-and-pov-to-the-2021-stars-on-ice-fall-tour

 

[Cant Skate]

YAAAAAAAAS! I've hoped for Elladj to be on this tour for years! I might actually buy a ticket now

 

[Lemonade20]

Finally!!!!!

 

[Sylvia]

Calgary's Stars On Ice show is scheduled to take place on May 14, 2022 - here's a local feature article on Elladj:

Elladj Baldé is Flipping the Narrative of Figure Skating - Avenue Calgary

Figure skater Elladj Baldé vibes on the ice to make his sport more inclusive.

www.avenuecalgary.com

On Dec. 7, 2021, Elladj participated in a Summit for Democracy Event titled "Advancing Racial Justice Through Sports Diplomacy":

Advancing Racial Justice Through Sports Diplomacy

This is "Advancing Racial Justice Through Sports Diplomacy" by Interactive on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

interactive.america.gov

Elladj's upcoming performance & fundaiser: https://www.instagram.com/p/CXb0aNngIYJ/

If you’re in Calgary, COME SKATE WITH US!! I will be performing alongside Kaetlyn Osmond and Nam Nguyen at 4pm at the Temple Community ice rink and then we will ALL get to skate together till 7pm with a DJ playing music for us. It’s happening this Friday, on Dec 17th!
•
To attend, please click the link in my bio! It will take you to an event page where you can your ticket. The event is free BUT there is a suggested donation as all the money will go to helping purchase skates for the community ⛸
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DM me for more info!

 

[kwanfan1818]

I'm not sure if Balde posted this video earlier, or if it's one of his end-of-2021 re-posts, but it's really beautiful, and, according to the written post, was choreographed by Julie Marcotte:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYKCjyLJy1s/

 

[kwanfan1818]

This is a wonderful "behind-the-scenes" video:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Clt7Z3gON15/