The Dance Hall 13: When You Dance on the Ice and Your Feet Twizzle Twice, That's Amore

[Former Lurve Goddess]

I'm hardly his fan, but while I also don't think he is necessarily the main character (or at least the main topic) in the book, the publishers did choose to promote the book using solely stories about him, and they also consciously chose this very specific timing to do so. Regardless of the truth behind those stories (I think, like others, that they each experienced the situation in an individual way that differs), I can understand why he feels so attacked (especially since the story about him trying to stop her from pressing charges against her alleged rapist is very damming for him).

The publisher is likely not responsible for the media stories focusing on Cizeron. Media outlets would have received advance copies of the book and a press release from the book's publicity and marketing team. The outlets would then haven chose which parts to highlight to get the most engagement/clicks. Now as the book was timed to come out during Euros, it's likely that the publicity team sent the advance copies with specific sales/marketing points which likely included mentions of Cizeron but I really doubt those were the main points.

 

[chantilly]

I agree with both post above. But I will reiterate the title of her book is "So as not to disappear."
I'm sure there are personal
Stories in the book, but I guarantee a bulk of that book will
Be about skating, Guillaume, IAM, and her coaches.

Yes the media may have cherry picked the most salacious stories, but the publishers chose now to promote the book.

Savvy and smart, but still knowing full well it was going to cause a s&&tstorm for Guillaume and IAM.

 

[Rukia]

Or the publishers picked a time right before the Olympics because that's a good time to promote an Olympic champion's book and they didn't even consider Guillaume because they are book publishers

 

[Orm Irian]

Or the publishers picked a time right before the Olympics because that's a good time to promote an Olympic champion's book and they didn't even consider Guillaume because they are book publishers

Exactly. They care about selling the book, and about promoting Gabriella as their client. Guillaume has no relationship with them and they have no obligation to take him or his schedule into account when doing their job.

And I'll also point out that likewise, now that they no longer work together, Gabrielle has no further obligation to take him or his schedule into account as she pursues her new career. Her book's being published at the best time for the book, which is how it should be.

 

[angi]

Exactly. They care about selling the book, and about promoting Gabriella as their client. Guillaume has no relationship with them and they have no obligation to take him or his schedule into account when doing their job.

And I'll also point out that likewise, now that they no longer work together, Gabrielle has no further obligation to take him or his schedule into account as she pursues her new career. Her book's being published at the best time for the book, which is how it should be.

I 100% agree about this part, I don't think Gabi has any responsibility here. I do, however, think it's naive to assume that the publisher had no impact on how the book is promoted or didn't also choose this timing because it will bring more attention to the book due to the (unfortunately for everyone involved) explosive nature of the stories. It doesn't mean that the publisher is also not within its right to do so, but I don't think anyone should be surprised by Cizeron's response (I doubt they didn't anticipate it).

 

[kwanfan1818]

This book has been in the works for long before Cizeron announced a return to skating: it was before Sorensen was suspended, and when FB/S were expected to be going to the Olympics together. If he took time out from staring at himself in the mirror, he would have known about the book before he launched his current partnership. It feels like she's been talking about it forever.

What publisher wouldn't plan a book about a participant in a niche sport to be timed with the event where there was the most exposure for said niche sport?

 

[kwanfan1818]

Double post, because it just occurred to me that he might have thought that her writing may have been so intellectual and abstract that many would have put it down with a yawn or not bought it at all, and he could have an insider laugh to himself. Until recently, that’s what the book sounded like.

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

To lighten the mood, I saw this on a parody x skating account.

The theme for the Rhythm Dance in the 2026/27 season has been announced as “White Noise - The Feeling of TV Static”. The Pattern Dance Type Step Sequence will be replaced with the Choreo Standing Movement (ChSM), with a base value of 7.50 points.

With the Heated Rivalry soundtrack releasing this week, my viral-bait suggestion for next year RD is music from skating or hockey tv and movie soundtracks. Blades of Glory, Heated Rivalry, Cutting Edge and I, Tonya programs here we come!

 

[marbri]

This book has been in the works for long before Cizeron announced a return to skating: it was before Sorensen was suspended, and when FB/S were expected to be going to the Olympics together. If he took time out from staring at himself in the mirror, he would have known about the book before he launched his current partnership. It feels like she's been talking about it forever.

What publisher wouldn't plan a book about a participant in a niche sport to be timed with the event where there was the most exposure for said niche sport?

Do you know this to be fact or are you just guessing?

 

[SidelineSkater]

With the Heated Rivalry soundtrack releasing this week, my viral-bait suggestion for next year RD is music from skating or hockey tv and movie soundtracks. Blades of Glory, Heated Rivalry, Cutting Edge and I, Tonya programs here we come!

I love that idea! Couldn't be worse than the last few seasons, just don't make it a slow, dirge tempo requirement. Although I'm sure some of the more conservative folks would be freaked out by anything related to Heated Rivalry. They already have their unders in a twist about same-gender skating.

 

[thvu]

The timing has less to do with any of the people included in her memoir and more to do with the fact that it's Euros week in an Olympic year - the public's eyes are on figure skating naturally.

Nothing is done in a vacuum. That her former partner is still competing and is in competition for an OGM is also part of their calculus. It’s clear in the excerpts they’re choosing to release.

It’s obvious they want the controversy and hope it translates into sales.

 

[deegee]

Nothing is done in a vacuum. That her former partner is still competing and is in competition for an OGM is also part of their calculus. It’s clear in the excerpts they’re choosing to release.

It’s obvious they want the controversy and hope it translates into sales.

well this could be one of those times when a controversy bolsters some redress for something much bigger than an olympic medal or book sales

 

[Karen-W]

Nothing is done in a vacuum. That her former partner is still competing and is in competition for an OGM is also part of their calculus. It’s clear in the excerpts they’re choosing to release.

It’s obvious they want the controversy and hope it translates into sales.

I mean, if that's what you want to believe. The point is that the book deal was signed a long time ago, before Cizeron partnered with Fournier-Beaudry, so the arrogant statement from him that this is a deliberate smear campaign on Papadakis and her publisher's part timed to derail his quest for a 2nd Olympic gold is inaccurate.

 

[thvu]

well this could be one of those times when a controversy bolsters some redress for something much bigger than an olympic medal or book sales

I’m just talking about the publisher. Their business motivations are common sense and exactly what any publisher would do.

I don’t know Papadakis and can’t speak at all to her motivations, nor do I question them.

 

[angi]

I mean, if that's what you want to believe. The point is that the book deal was signed a long time ago, before Cizeron partnered with Fournier-Beaudry, so the arrogant statement from him that this is a deliberate smear campaign on Papadakis and her publisher's part timed to derail his quest for a 2nd Olympic gold is inaccurate.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that Gabi came up with an evil masterplan to take down Guillermo the moment she thought about writing her own story, and that this is some kind of a hit piece. And as mentioned before, Gabi owes him nothing, and she has every right to write her story and publish it.
But at the same time, as @thvu mentioned, nothing about the timing or the excerpts that are being shared feels coincidental, and it does appear to be aimed at boosting sales (a legitimate if slightly unethical business method).

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

Nothing is done in a vacuum. That her former partner is still competing and is in competition for an OGM is also part of their calculus. It’s clear in the excerpts they’re choosing to release.

It’s obvious they want the controversy and hope it translates into sales.

As I said on another thread, Papadakis's publisher is barely promoting the book on their social media. They're too busy marketing the French translation of Margaret Atwood's book. I suspect that they expected Gabi's book to have a very modest sales and a niche audience. Releasing a memoir by an OGM just before the Olympics just makes sense, as January is otherwise a very bad time to release a book. I really doubt that Cizeron figured much into the equation at all.

 

[Icedream]

Nothing is done in a vacuum. That her former partner is still competing and is in competition for an OGM is also part of their calculus. It’s clear in the excerpts they’re choosing to release.

It’s obvious they want the controversy and hope it translates into sales.

The publisher sent the whole book to the media. The excerpts published in the media were selected by the media, not by the publisher.

 

[Andrea82]

Evan Bates re-elected unopposed as the Ice Dance Rep in the ISU Athletes Committe.

 

[Orm Irian]

As I said on another thread, Papadakis's publisher is barely promoting the book on their social media.

That's sadly standard for midlist-and-below books in every genre the world around, these days - while the publisher takes care of scheduling and packaging, supplying review copies to reviewers and etc., the majority of the on-the-ground promotional work falls to the author, and their agent if they have one. Which is ridiculous when you consider how little the vast majority of traditionally published authors earn from their writing now (here in Australia, the average amount* tradpub authors earned from their writing in 2024-25 was $18,200, i.e., just under the threshold at which one starts to pay tax). Gabi's book would probably be considered low midlist, as while it's being given an on-publication relevance boost by the Olympics, it may also have enough legs within the memoir and feminist writings categories to sell out a modest print run and make keeping the ebook edition available worthwhile.

*Meaning that while some earn a lot more, the vast majority earn a very great deal less.

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

That's sadly standard for midlist-and-below books in every genre the world around, these days - while the publisher takes care of scheduling and packaging, supplying review copies to reviewers and etc., the majority of the on-the-ground promotional work falls to the author, and their agent if they have one. Which is ridiculous when you consider how little the vast majority of traditionally published authors earn from their writing now (here in Australia, the average amount* tradpub authors earned from their writing in 2024-25 was $18,200, i.e., just under the threshold at which one starts to pay tax). Gabi's book would probably be considered low midlist, as while it's being given an on-publication relevance boost by the Olympics, it may also have enough legs within the memoir and feminist writings categories to sell out a modest print run and make keeping the ebook edition available worthwhile.

*Meaning that while some earn a lot more, the vast majority earn a very great deal less.

I work in the business and this is exactly how it is. Canadian writers by the way earn an average of less $12,000 a year from their books but that stat is misleading because a handful Canadian writers (people like Margaret Atwood, Louise Penny and now Rachel Reid) earn most of the money and the rest earn chump change. Judging from Gabi's publisher's website and social media, her book is definitely considered low mildlist or "c-list" in terms of sales potential. Anyway, I just book the ebook so Gabi just earned $1.99 in royalties from me.

 

[Bigbird]

Is it just me, or FB/Ciz didn't really wow me today. It didn't have the energy that the music demands, and the skating seemed heavy. I think in fair judging Fear/Gib should have been 1st here. I know FB/Ciz may have the better FD, but I think the RD for the Brits is superior, at least in performance. On a side note, I really do wish Gabby understood her worth, because in comparison to the OG RD, this Vogue is rather flat. This RD has no magic for me. And her outfit just screams costume violation.

 

[irenemulindwairen]

Is it just me, or FB/Ciz didn't really wow me today. It didn't have the energy that the music demands, and the skating seemed heavy. I think in fair judging Fear/Gib should have been 1st here. I know FB/Ciz may have the better FD, but I think the RD for the Brits is superior, at least in performance. On a side note, I really do wish Gabby understood her worth, because in comparison to the OG RD, this Vogue is rather flat. This RD has no magic for me. And her outfit just screams costume violation.

Yeah, It just felt rather flat today.I preferred Fear and Gibson. Guinard and Fabri were great today, finally.

 

[Bigbird]

Yeah, It just felt rather flat today.I preferred Fear and Gibson. Guinard and Fabri were great today, finally.

There were a lot of changes.

 

[irenemulindwairen]

There were a lot of changes.

Too many that it became abit disjointed.

 

[Ikari]

Is it just me, or FB/Ciz didn't really wow me today. It didn't have the energy that the music demands, and the skating seemed heavy. I think in fair judging Fear/Gib should have been 1st here. I know FB/Ciz may have the better FD, but I think the RD for the Brits is superior, at least in performance. On a side note, I really do wish Gabby understood her worth, because in comparison to the OG RD, this Vogue is rather flat. This RD has no magic for me. And her outfit just screams costume violation.

Personally, Cizeron seemed clearly the best male skater of the evening. His expression is so soft and fluid, yet crisp. Maybe the program itself wasn't a killer - but lot of the pairs have generic programs where only 'theme' is the decade music is from. I wasn't feeling Fear/Gibson at first, but the program really got going towards the end. However, I hate quickfire medleys. Pick a song and stick with it more than 15 seconds.

I don't get why the Lithuanians scored so high. I don't have eye for technical details I suppose, because that program bored me. Techno Frenchies were great, they picked a theme which suit them. Loved T/V if not for the fact that it was 18th Ricky Martin of the evening. Georgians and Taschlers were quite good too.

 

[Bigbird]

Personally, Cizeron seemed clearly the best male skater of the evening. His expression is so soft and fluid, yet crisp. Maybe the program itself wasn't a killer - but lot of the pairs have generic programs where only 'theme' is the decade music is from. I wasn't feeling Fear/Gibson at first, but the program really got going towards the end. However, I hate quickfire medleys. Pick a song and stick with it more than 15 seconds.

I don't get why the Lithuanians scored so high. I don't have eye for technical details I suppose, because that program bored me. Techno Frenchies were great, they picked a theme which suit them. Loved T/V if not for the fact that it was 18th Ricky Martin of the evening. Georgians and Taschlers were quite good too.

Lurved T/V also. Very glad to see them back. Liked Sm/Di, but I think the young Brits have the better Geor Mich RD.

 

[Wyliefan]

I thought the Taschlers should have been higher. They were so fast and sharp. T/V looked really good too.

 

[tony]

For those interested, groupings & start orders for Olympics as of now.

Zingas & Kolesnik can climb up to the 16-18 start order in the penultimate group if they do skate at 4CC, which would push Smart & Dieck down to 14-15 start order in that group.

Last Group:
19-20: Lopareva & Brissaud, Gilles & Poirier
21-23: Fear & Gibson, Chock & Bates, Guignard & Fabbri

Penultimate Group:
14-15: Zingas & Kolesnik, Lajoie & Lagha
16-18: Reed & Ambrulevicius, Carreira & Ponomarenko, Smart & Dieck

Group 3:
9-10: Lim & Quan, Mrazkova & Mrazek
11-13: Davis & Smolkin, Turkkila & Versluis, Taschlerova & Taschler

Group 2:
5-6: Fournier Beaudry & Cizeron, Bekker & Hernandez
7-8: Lauriault & Le Gac, Janse van Rensburg & Steffan

Group 1:
1-2: Val & Kazimov, Wang & Liu
3-4: Harris & Chan, Reitan & Majorov

 

[sadya]

Someone on Twitter posted excerpts from an interview of Papadakis: she explained that the publication date was already set before they even knew that Cizeron was returning to competition. In the book she tried to understand why he reacted the way he did and tried to be nuanced. She wants us to understand the environment which creates this culture/behaviour so we can change it, so things get better for future athletes.

The book seems to be more nuanced than the media will quotes will make you believe. Unfortunately I can't quote here, as the excerpts were screen shots and I don't have the link of the interview itself.

It's sad that one of the greatest pairs of ice dance ever don't get along anymore. Instead of learning and understanding the situation and helping to make things better, this is going in the wrong direction. Both fans and people in the sport, either as athletes or as coaches and other professionals are making things worse. We should read what she actually wrote, so not just a quote, but the entire thing for proper context.

 

[Sylvia]

@sadya (and anyone else interested in this topic) check out the GSD thread on Gabriella's book - @Nmsis just posted a review: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...-cizerons-response.113571/page-9#post-6874855