The Shibutanis Thread 6: Paradise Found

G

GloriaW

Active Member
Messages
47
VIETgrlTerifa said:
The Shibs are going to Taiwan on Saturday. I wonder what they're doing there.
Click to expand...

Ooh! One of my sisters lives in Taipei. I'll have her keep an eye out. Another US ambassador trip? They've done a bunch in Asia. Maybe a project with one of their brand partners. Tumi? Ralph Lauren? Alex seems to have something going with Leica cameras. They featured his photos on their Instagram account. He has a great "eye" as they say.

I thought their skating looked so good on the Stars On Ice tour. Impressive given how non-stop busy they have been off the ice. Maia especially looks stronger and more confident than ever. The Anaheim crowd was definitely Uber-fan-ing pretty hard for the Shibs.
 
S

SCeline

Well-Known Member
Messages
121
I agree with GloriaW that skating-wise, they look as strong as ever. Watching Maia especially in the Stars On Ice show, she looks so confident. She literally radiates strength. I thought this was more than subtly highlighted by the way Jeff Buttle assigned certain choreographic highlights in group numbers to Maia. The split lift carry screamed "Make Way for the Queen!"

It's understandable to think that a return to competition is not looking very likely for them. They continue to be such standouts as far as continuing to find exciting opportunities outside the skating world. And yet, if there are athletes who I would trust to know how to navigate a successful return to competition, it would be Maia and Alex. The way they took ownership of their careers, applying their smarts and integrating non-traditional inputs into their skating, give me a lot of confidence that they would be potent forces to be reckoned with should they decide to return to competition heading into the 2022 Olympics. Tessa and Scott certainly set a precedent. Momentum in ice dance especially, can be so fickle, and one could debate whether the leaders exiting the 2019 season limit opportunities for others or not, including those ranked below them or returning former leaders. I definitely see how Maia and Alex could define their own unique path to being very real contenders in 2022, without necessarily competing in 2020.
 
Last edited:
CaliSteve

CaliSteve

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,114
Spun Silver said:
Most likely... but V/M only came back the season before the Olympics. It's possible. I am not ready for them to retire!
Click to expand...

I agree with your "most likely". It seems to me they are moving on to other opportunities. In addition to their skating, they did a great job in their social media marketing and networking that open the door to a lot of opportunities.
 
VGThuy

VGThuy

Well-Known Member
Messages
41,022
I have no hopes that the Shibs are coming back...but if they plan to, then maybe having another year would do them some good to really prepare for it and maybe work on things people have said they needed to work on to be from just vying for a medal and being actual true contenders for higher placements. However, not competing puts them at a huge disadvantage and they will be a bit rusty compared to rising teams and now World medalists who are working on things and competing in the elite level right now. I think we'll find out sooner rather than later if they plan on competing for the 2020-2021 season as they'll need a coaching base (now that Marina left to go to Florida) and we'll see less of them traveling and attending events on social media. Right now, I'm just going to adopt the mindset that they aren't coming back and will be surprised if they do.
 
S

SCeline

Well-Known Member
Messages
121
VIETgrlTerifa said:
For those in L.A., the Shibs will be hosting a screening of the new film The Farewell with Twitch co-founder Kevin Lin at the ArcLight Hollywood at 4:45pm this Saturday:

Click to expand...

This makes me smile. Maia and Alex have always, and continue to "walk the walk" embracing the "responsibility" that comes with their more visible profile to be positive and supportive out in the broader world, going beyond their lives as athletes. Last summer, they also hosted a screening of the Crazy Rich Asians movie.

www.nbcnews.com

Chasing a 'gold open,' 'Crazy Rich Asians' supporters buy tickets for strangers

More than apparently 200 individuals and organizations have organized group screenings or bought tickets for others to see “Crazy Rich Asians.”
www.nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com
www.vogue.com

Here, There, Everywhere: 34 International Stars Who Continue to Shine on a Global Stage

From actors to activists and models to musicians, these global stars are changing the world with their platforms.
www.vogue.com www.vogue.com
 
S

SCeline

Well-Known Member
Messages
121
Am enjoying watching them, always growing, always on the move.

As YouTubers at VidCon with their agency UTA

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 www.instagram.com

Alex dancing it up with Olympic skiing legend Lindsey Vonn at her career celebration.

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 www.instagram.com

Maia's abs putting the 'sport' in Ralph Lauren sportswear.

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 www.instagram.com
 
VGThuy

VGThuy

Well-Known Member
Messages
41,022
Not publicly. They haven’t even told us if they retired yet. I’m sure they have an idea or have plans, but for now it’s just private.
 
Spiralgraph

Spiralgraph

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,688
VGThuy said:
Not publicly. They haven’t even told us if they retired yet. I’m sure they have an idea or have plans, but for now it’s just private.
Click to expand...


Just a side comment, but VGT, your new username made me pause a moment until I realized you were you, if that makes sense! :wall:
 
VGThuy

VGThuy

Well-Known Member
Messages
41,022
Love seeing Maia's work outs on IG, even on her birthday. She seems to have taken it to another level. I can't believe she's 25 already. I remember when she and Alex came to my attention when she was 14 at 2009 Junior Worlds and then won the World bronze at 16.
 
VGThuy

VGThuy

Well-Known Member
Messages
41,022
Love that Maia has added boxing in her workouts:

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 www.instagram.com
 
V

vanillashake

Banned Member
Messages
270
One thing I wonder about them is if they are friends with Lambiel. They often post pictures with him on social media in the past. Or is it that they just work with him often, but they still do even after Pyeoncheng when they might be semi retired.

Lambiel is such a wonderful person, it is great if they are close with him. The Shibutanis are wonderful people too. I just am not sure how they would know him that well unless they worked with him.
 
Sylvia

Sylvia

TBD
Messages
80,296
BOOK NEWS!
www.apnews.com

Siblings Maia and Alex Shibutani launching book series

Maia and Alex Shibutani, the sibling ice dancers and Olympic bronze medalists, are collaborating on a middle grade book series, Penguin Young Readers announced Thursday.
www.apnews.com www.apnews.com

www.penguinrandomhouse.com

Kudo Kids: The Mystery of the Masked Medalist by Maia Shibutani, Alex Shibutani, Michelle Schusterman: 9780593113752 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

From two-time Olympic bronze medalists Maia and Alex Shibutani comes a fun-filled, fast-paced middle-grade mystery set at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Andy and Mika are going to Tokyo! The Kudo Kids have...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com

Maia & Alex will be among the featured speakers here: http://www.usjapancouncil.org/us_japan_council_annual_conference
The U.S.-Japan Council (U.S. & Japan), is pleased to present the 2019 USJC Annual Conference, to be held from November 4 to 5 in Los Angeles, California.
...
And in the same complex just prior to the conference (Nov. 1-3), the Japan America Society of Southern California is presenting Japan Cuts Hollywood, a film festival celebrating Japanese cinema.
Click to expand...
(CC: @VGThuy)
 
VGThuy

VGThuy

Well-Known Member
Messages
41,022
I'm really proud of them. I was wondering what Maia had been working on when she would share stories that included her laptop screen but would cover the screen to not reveal what was on there. I didn't think they were writing a book, and a detective/mystery series for middle school-aged children to boot. I guess if I can't enjoy their competitive skating anymore, I can look forward to seeing what other projects they will be working on. They seem to have their hands in plenty of jars now.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)

Similar threads

VGThuy
U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame Inductees Class of 2023: Maia Shibutani/Alex Shibutani and Paul E. George
Replies
10
Views
4K
Addryn
A
VGThuy
  • Poll
Best Olympic Bronze Medal Winning Ice Dance Team
2 3
Replies
82
Views
9K
Icetalavista
I
VGThuy
The Shibutanis Thread 4: Ready for Paradise
47 48 49
Replies
1K
Views
79K
VGThuy
VGThuy
Sylvia
Stars on Ice show in Shanghai, China (Sept. 16, 2018)
Replies
19
Views
5K
Sylvia
Sylvia
Sylvia
Keeping track of official retirements & skaters not competing in 2018-19 as well as notable coaching changes & team splits
Replies
18
Views
6K
hanca
hanca
Top
Do Not Sell My Personal Information