Repercussions of Papadakis' book & Cizeron's response

[gkelly]

See the quotes from her above: "the publication date had already been planned before the announcement of his return".
In all llikelihood they were targeting the Olympics due to the increase in interest for skating, and Gabi being the reigning Olympic champion. His return just made it all into the perfect storm.

And was NBC's original decision to hire her also before the announcement of his return?

 

[angi]

And was NBC's original decision to hire her also before the announcement of his return?

I don't see how this is a relevant question to what you quoted, but Gabi has been doing commentary for NBC since last season. I don't remember what the first time was, but she was commentating at the US Championships 2025 ice dance event which took place before FB/C announced their return (March 2nd, 2025).

 

[nylynnr]

Papadakis has every right in the world to the speak her truth as she knows it. Ciz DOES come off as a pompous a$$ but then so have most ice dancers since I have started really watching it back in 1991.

I don't speak French, my education such as it is does not include psychology and I admit I may be missing a great deal. From the translations I've read, it appears, according to Papadakis' truth, Guillaume was at his worst cold, condescending and impatient with her mental struggles. The worst thing I've read is he rudely snapped his fingers at her at practice. Gabi stuck it out because there was Olympic gold to be won. Does that add up to abuse, or is it two people who no longer like each other, and probably shouldn't be partnered?

What disturbs me most about the book are the U.S. produced articles, including the AP article, written about it. In one sentence, it is noted that Gabi was sexually assaulted. In the next, that she feared Guillaume and refused to be alone with him. It's kept vague as to what, exactly, Guillaume's transgressions were, and people who don't know the players could assume Guillaume physically assaulted his partner.

 

[cholla]

In one sentence, it is noted that Gabi was sexually assaulted. In the next, that she feared Guillaume and refused to be alone with him. It's kept vague as to what, exactly, Guillaume's transgressions were, and people who don't know the players could assume Guillaume physically assaulted his partner.

Media cherry picked things to create and keep the confusion going and indeed, people who don't know what this is all about can believe he was her rapist. What infuriates me is that some people thinks that SHE created the confusion purposefully.

Her book was ill-timed. It would have been better if she waited until Cizeron retired from skating.

Why? She should, again, have shielded her former partner by not speaking when she wanted to? He should have come first once more? She is retired. If FB/C stay until 2030, she should have patiently keep on shutting up not to disturb the beautiful, fair and soooo healthy sport that is figure skating? I don't mind valid arguments to defend Cizeron (like, it was not up to him to find a solution to her troubles), but most of the ones I read equal: Gabriella, please STFU! ("Please" being optional most of the time). That's precisely the chore of the problem with FS: women must shut the F**** up permanently.

 

[overedge]

Is the video on Youtube?

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[Vagabond]

I From the translations I've read, it appears, according to Papadakis' truth, Guillaume was at his worst cold, condescending and impatient with her mental struggles. The worst thing I've read is he rudely snapped his fingers at her at practice. Gabi stuck it out because there was Olympic gold to be won. Does that add up to abuse, or is it two people who no longer like each other, and probably shouldn't be partnered?

It adds up to emotional abuse.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is a pattern of behavior in which the perpetrator insults, humiliates, and generally instills fear in an individual in order to control them. The individual's reality may become distorted as they internalize the abuse as their own failings.

www.psychologytoday.com

Emotional abuse is a pattern of behavior in which the perpetrator insults, humiliates, and generally instills fear in an individual in order to control them. The individual's reality may become distorted as they internalize the abuse as their own failings.

As you say, he knew about her mental struggles and was nevertheless impatient. He did so to control her, and she felt fearful.

 

[nylynnr]

Her book was ill-timed. It would have been better if she waited until Cizeron retired from skating.

Her book was timed well to trigger sales, no fault there. It was ill-timed if she wished to work as an analyst for NBC. It's not reasonable to expect NBC to have Gabi providing commentary on ice dance, right after her publisher released a highly publicized book with heartfelt, emotional criticisms of Guillaume, who is a co-favorite for gold, as well as the dominant ice dance coaches. Not to say NBC is perfect in its record of hiring non-biased commentators but this would be beyond the pale for a U.S. network.

 

[once_upon]

Caveat - I was never a fan of Guillaume's, he gave me a vibe of cold and arrogance.

During their partnership Gabi seemed very subdued and restrained. She sounded so calm and happy commentating. She let Johnny do the talking.

If you look at figure skating (actually any thing where men are revereed), when a women tells the story of trauma, many comments I hear are - she shouldn't tell the story. It's private talk to someone privately, not the public.

 

[Alilou]

Caveat - I was never a fan of Guillaume's, he gave me a vibe of cold and arrogance.

During their partnership Gabi seemed very subdued and restrained. She sounded so calm and happy commentating. She let Johnny do the talking.

If you look at figure skating (actually any thing where men are revereed), when a women tells the story of trauma, many comments I hear are - she shouldn't tell the story. It's private talk to someone privately, not the public.

Over and over, since the dawn of the patriarchy, it's the women who must be silenced. And if they dare to speak out they are branded as hysterical. I suppose we must be glad we are no longer living in the times when women who spoke out/fought back were institutionalized.
Dear god, the very title of her book is So As Not To Disappear. And yet there are all these people, men and women both, STILL saying she should.
Brava Gabi!

 

[Sally1214]

Her book was timed well to trigger sales, no fault there. It was ill-timed if she wished to work as an analyst for NBC. It's not reasonable to expect NBC to have Gabi providing commentary on ice dance, right after her publisher released a highly publicized book with heartfelt, emotional criticisms of Guillaume, who is a co-favorite for gold, as well as the dominant ice dance coaches. Not to say NBC is perfect in its record of hiring non-biased commentators but this would be beyond the pale for a U.S. network.

Agree 100%. You are absolutely correct regarding NBC's position.
And, of course, Gabby's publisher (not her personally) is going to release the book when the publisher feels it will attract the most attention and sell the most copies ... which is right now. The Olympics are what ... 3 weeks away? And, they last 2 weeks. So, basically, the publisher is looking at 5 weeks to sell the book. Because, one week after the closing ceremonies of the Olys, no one is going to care about this whole thing. They will all move on to something else.

 

[Debbie S]

If Guillaume did indeed threaten to end their partnership if Gabby reported the coach who sexually assaulted her, in the U.S. that would be a SafeSport violation. Obviously, that doesn't apply b/c they were not in the U.S., but i'm just putting that out there. (This is why we need an int'l SafeSport-type org).

Under SafeSport rules, any coercion to prevent a report and/or failure to make a report as all adults in the sport are mandatory reporters, is a violation. This was the issue with John Zimmerman and Silvia Fontana in the Cipres case.

 

[annie_mg]

When you publish a book, you need to expect some scrutiny. Of course this is on another level because of the Olympics(timing!) but I'm sure she didn't expect to not hear any negative comments. Yes this is her story, but there are accusations in this story. And then there are accusations, people will talk. A lot.

I feel horrible for her. I hope she has people around her who support her through this.

 

[once_upon]

To me the whole situation reads: Guillaume wanted to return to Olympics. Gabi had had enough of skating, and she had started writing her book (yeah it takes a while to write one and get it published).
He wasn't able to push her into another Olympics. Gabi seems happier, more sure if herself

To me it smacks of
Guillaume - you try to eff with not being pushed into skating again, you write a book that may (or does) put me in a bad light because I'm skating without you. I'm going to tell your new employer cease and desist. You get fired. Ta-Da I win again

As I said I never liked his behavior before. This is my opinion

 

[Twilight1]

I don't speak French, my education such as it is does not include psychology and I admit I may be missing a great deal. From the translations I've read, it appears, according to Papadakis' truth, Guillaume was at his worst cold, condescending and impatient with her mental struggles. The worst thing I've read is he rudely snapped his fingers at her at practice. Gabi stuck it out because there was Olympic gold to be won. Does that add up to abuse, or is it two people who no longer like each other, and probably shouldn't be partnered?

To be very blunt, few people really know how to help someone struggling with mental illness and often complicate things for the person struggling.

When you add in layers with possible personality disorders it is even more difficult.

Borderline Personality Disorder probably has the biggest negative reputation and yet few realize the absolutely incredibly beautiful and powerful abilities people living with it have.

Generally speaking though, people just see the dysregulation, the comments that are hurtful. Possibly even self harming behaviours that cause alarm.

With depression people think they should just "snap out of it." And so many other hurtful and dismissive things.

Trauma is "get over it."

Anxiety in it's various forms can be completely debilitating in it's own way and many people just don't understand.

Then you add in the layers of introverts, and people who are generally pacifists and that creates a storm for a person's mental health. Generally shy people, people who tend to prefer to avoid conflict trying to interact with a world that can be extroverted and loud, is hard as F.

Someone who hates conflict will see even someone with assertiveness skills as aggressive.

We are a some of all our parts. We carry how we were raised, old messages and tapes of hurts, harms etc, our own guilt, shame and remorse for things we feel we did wrong. Trauma bringing on a whole other layer of pain and issues.

I honestly have so much appreciation for people managing all of that in sports because that strength is incredible. I am in awe of them.

I am not a psychologist or psychiatrist but have worked in the field of addictions and mental health for decades now.

It is a shame after so much time, some people still have no understanding of mental health. Nor understand the power of simply having grace for them.

I have no idea what diagnosis/diagnoses Gabby has so my post is just a general impression I have.

 

[annie_mg]

To be very blunt, few people really know how to help someone struggling with mental illness and often complicate things for the person struggling.

When you add in layers with possible personality disorders it is even more difficult.

Borderline Personality Disorder probably has the biggest negative reputation and yet few realize the absolutely incredibly beautiful and powerful abilities people living with it have.

Generally speaking though, people just see the dysregulation, the comments that are hurtful. Possibly even self harming behaviours that cause alarm.

With depression people think they should just "snap out of it." And so many other hurtful and dismissive things.

Trauma is "get over it."

Anxiety in it's various forms can be completely debilitating in it's own way and many people just don't understand.

Then you add in the layers of introverts, and people who are generally pacifists and that creates a storm for a person's mental health. Generally shy people, people who tend to prefer to avoid conflict trying to interact with a world that can be extroverted and loud, is hard as F.

Someone who hates conflict will see even someone with assertiveness skills as aggressive.

We are a some of all our parts. We carry how we were raised, old messages and tapes of hurts, harms etc, our own guilt, shame and remorse for things we feel we did wrong. Trauma bringing on a whole other layer of pain and issues.

I honestly have so much appreciation for people managing all of that in sports because that strength is incredible. I am in awe of them.

I am not a psychologist or psychiatrist but have worked in the field of addictions and mental health for decades now.

It is a shame after so much time, some people still have no understanding of mental health. Nor understand the power of simply having grace for them.

I have no idea what diagnosis/diagnoses Gabby has so my post is just a general impression I have.

100%. People don't realise how complex mental health issues can be, for the person suffering from them of course but also for those around them. Most people are fast to make conclusions, and say the wrong things. Add to that the pressure of high level sports, it's a big mess, and can even be dangerous.

 

[Oreo]

It could be that NBC offered a written contract to Gabi in which there was a clause about compromising interests. To me, it would be highly distracting to NBC's coverage of ice dance, especially when you have an American team in the mix for a gold medal. It could be, too, that the US Nationals coverage was a try out on how well Gabi came across to the audience--and if NBC was on the fence about it, this latest legal filing pushed them into their decision. And personally, if I were on a jury, I would want to hear both sides of what went on between Gabi and Guillaume before making a judgment.

 

[overedge]

I would be very surprised if NBC has a clause like that in their sports commentators' contracts. So many of their commentators in other sports are former athletes or coaches. Professional sports being the small(ish) world it is, it would be very hard in some sports to find someone to be a commentator who wasn't connected to an active participant.

ETA: I'm pretty sure there would be contract language about not working for a competing broadcaster or media outlet during the event, or during the length of the contract. But having connections with the athletes/teams being covered is a separate issue.

 

[jmtfti]

This might not be relevant if there was an agreement behind the scenes, or if specialists weren't included in the general press release, but NBC hadn't listed Gabi for their Milano-Cortina figure skating coverage as of January 6, according to this.

 

[MacMadame]

She had been doing better, but considering the way she is being lynched on social networks, FS boards, in French and foreign media and about everywhere, I don't see how she could keep on feeling better right now.

I sincerely hope she is NOT online right now.

I completely agree. If anything, the fact that Haguenauer never saw anything amiss in Cizeron's behavior is just another red flag that perfectly demostrates how toxic skating culture and society in general can be. He saw nothing wrong because that's just the way things are. Totally normal and to be expected. For shame!

Exactly.

Figure skating culture is toxic. It is toxic in a way that all elite sports are. It is toxic in a way that all sports with an element of lookism are. And it is toxic in its own unique ways.

It is not going to change if people don't talk about it. Yes, what happens to an individual is private. But if no one talks about it, how can it change? It can't.

There are several ways to change a toxic culture. One is to talk about the toxicity and the other is to not buy into it. I admire anyone who talks about their bad experiences, especially with the goal to change things, just as I admire people like Amber Glenn and Alysa Liu who say f'it, I'm not buying into this toxicity; I can be friends with my competitors and I can skate without sacrificing myself for medals.

The Shibs video doesn’t bother me. People lose their temper, they argue and swear and do a time out and either talk it out and apologize. I’ve been there and done that.

There is a BIG difference between siblings squabbling, someone losing their temper and saying things they regret and a person screaming at another person for 15 ****ing minutes while the other person just stands there completely shut down. And then not apologizing afterward but excusing this abusive behavior.

I'm sorry you can't see this.

When you add in layers with possible personality disorders it is even more difficult.

Borderline Personality Disorder probably has the biggest negative reputation and yet few realize the absolutely incredibly beautiful and powerful abilities people living with it have.

WTF? You are implying Gabby (or Cizeron?) has a personality disorder based on what exactly? This is incredibly irresponsible on your part.

 

[Lara111]

I have not read the book, nor do I intend to, but is smells of revenge of some sort.

Interestingly, she says she felt betrayed when Ciseron started a new partnership. My understanding was that they had already split, and that he was no longer obligated to her and free to make decisions that made sense for him. I’m sure she is sincerely describing her feelings, but they are still her feelings. It seems like something that might be more helpful to unpack with a therapist rather than frame as wrongdoing on his part.

 

[overedge]

It could be, too, that the US Nationals coverage was a try out on how well Gabi came across to the audience--and if NBC was on the fence about it, this latest legal filing pushed them into their decision.

It wasn't a legal filing, as in a lawsuit being filed in court. This is how Cizeron described it in his statement:

Cizeron said he has asked his lawyers "to formally put all parties involved on notice to immediately cease the dissemination of defamatory statements about me."

(from https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/...accusations-lies-ice-dance-olympics-9.7043586)

Apparently his lawyers sent a letter to NBC to that effect. No lawsuit has been filed. And defamation is something that's proven in court, so the claim that Gabi has been defaming Guillaume on NBC is a long way from being valid.

 

[kedrin]

It's not reasonable to expect NBC to have Gabi providing commentary on ice dance, right after her publisher released a highly publicized book with heartfelt, emotional criticisms of Guillaume, who is a co-favorite for gold, as well as the dominant ice dance coaches. Not to say NBC is perfect in its record of hiring non-biased commentators but this would be beyond the pale for a U.S. network.

I actually think it's worse to have a commentator with financial relationships with many different skaters, as when Scott was commentating on skaters who appeared in his Stars On Ice tours. It's easy to recuse yourself or have a disclaimer when commentating on one team.

 

[Twilight1]

WTF? You are implying Gabby (or Cizeron?) has a personality disorder based on what exactly? This is incredibly irresponsible on your part.

Reread my last sentence. I stated very explicitly I was not saying anything of the sort.

"I have no idea what diagnosis/diagnoses Gabby has so my post is just a general impression I have."

My post was a overarching take on mental health in a thread about Gabby's book.

It was easy enough to seek clarification instead of assuming.

 

[overedge]

I actually think it's worse to have a commentator with financial relationships with many different skaters, as when Scott was commentating on skaters who appeared in his Stars On Ice tours. It's easy to recuse yourself or have a disclaimer when commentating on one team.

When Sandra Bezic was a broadcast commentator for Worlds and Olympics, she was also choreographing for more than a few of the skaters whose performances she was commentating on.

 

[PRlady]

Ben had at least at least one team he commentated on, maybe a Junior team, and Jean-Luc did choreo for one or more. Thats fine, those guys know a lot and it’s worth a bit of conflict-of-interest.

But the ex-partner of a gold medal contender is a bit different. I don’t think NBC realized or thought through the issues even before the book was published, but firing her was still a dick move.

 

[MacMadame]

Reread my last sentence. I stated very explicitly I was not saying anything of the sort.

Your last sentence at the end of a very long post doesn't not excuse your attempts at armchair diagnosis. It's irresponsible at best.

 

[MacMadame]

But the ex-partner of a gold medal contender is a bit different. I don’t think NBC realized or thought through the issues even before the book was published, but firing her was still a dick move.

I agree. They could still have used her in some capacity. Like commenting on the lower-level teams on Peacock and letting the A team comment on the contenders. Or interviewing competitors backstage. Or giving technical demonstrations like those videos on "what makes a good step sequence"

 

[peibeck]

Interestingly, she says she felt betrayed when Ciseron started a new partnership. My understanding was that they had already split, and that he was no longer obligated to her and free to make decisions that made sense for him. I’m sure she is sincerely describing her feelings, but they are still her feelings. It seems like something that might be more helpful to unpack with a therapist rather than frame as wrongdoing on his part.

I think her feeling of betrayal was not because Cizeron chose a new partner, but WHO he chose. Cizeron knew Gabi did not want to practice with Sorenson on the ice, and then teams up with Sorenson's girlfriend. I can see why she'd find that triggering considering her (and Gui's knowledge of) prior assaults.

 

[angi]

I actually think it's worse to have a commentator with financial relationships with many different skaters, as when Scott was commentating on skaters who appeared in his Stars On Ice tours. It's easy to recuse yourself or have a disclaimer when commentating on one team.

Skating commentary has been a business full of conflicts of interest for many years. Carol Lane commentated on her own team and their direct rivals, Johnny Weir and Kurt Browning toured for years with many of the skaters that competed in events they were doing commentary for, and many others like Charlie White, Sandra Bezic, Jean Luc Baker, and Tessa Virtue to name a few choreographed or mentored teams that were compoeting at events they've done commentary for. The skating world is small, and there's simply no escaping it.

ETA: I forgot about the many years in which Tanith Belbin was commentating on D/W vs. V/M while being Charlie's partner. No escaping it...

 

[Twilight1]

Your last sentence at the end of a very long post doesn't not excuse your attempts at armchair diagnosis. It's irresponsible at best.

You are absolutely welcome to your opinion.

I also have full ability to not have to take your opinion on.