UPDATE: USA Today columnist Christine Brennan reports that Adam rethought the decision to work for NBC Sports for now as it would have meant relinquishing his Olympic standing, credentials and more.
After agreeing to an offer to work for NBC, Adam Rippon @Adaripp decided overnight that he would rather remain as an Olympian, source telling me. Didn’t want to relinquish his official Olympic standing, give up credential, move out of Team USA housing and miss closing ceremony.
I am flattered that NBC wanted me to work as a correspondent for them here in PyeongChang. Doing this would require me to leave Team USA and move out of the Olympic Village. I don’t want to do that so I had to declined the opportunity.
I love being on Team USA and representing our country. My teammates were there for me during my events, and now I NEED to be there for them. I look forward to being with them, and I’m very excited for the rest of the competition. Go Team USA!!!
Not only did U.S. figure skater Adam Rippon score a bronze medal for his contribution to the team skating event, but “America’s sweetheart” has also booked a gig working for NBC Sports for the remainder of the Winter Games in PyeongChang.
Rippon has emerged as one of PyeongChang’s breakout stars for both his skating and his personality.
Already a bronze medalist in the team figure skating event, the 28-year-old said that even after his 10th place finish in the men’s individual event, he still feels like a winner.
“I think I’ve shown the world that I’m a fierce competitor,” he said. “But I think I’ve shown them that I’m also a fierce human being.”
When asked in December what it’s like to be a gay athlete, the Pennsylvanian answered, “It’s exactly like being a straight athlete. Lots of hard work but usually done with better eyebrows.”
My favorite Rippon-ism: “You know, I’m not like a gay icon, or America’s gay sweetheart. I’m just America’s sweetheart and I’m just an icon.”
Rippon is one of Team USA’s first two openly gay athletes, along with slopestyle skier Gus Kenworthy.
Out U.S. figure skater Adam Rippon may have finished tenth in the men’s Olympic figure skating event in PyeongChang, but there’s no question he is a star at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
After a perfect short program landed Rippon in 7th place, Rippon took to the ice last night for his final Olympic skate.
Even with great athleticism, artistry and star quality, Rippon knew his perfect triple jumps wouldn’t be enough to beat his competitors’ multiple quadruple jumps.
Watching the scoring, viewers could see the triple axels Rippon landed over and over only garnered about 9-10 technical points while the quad jumps were getting 15-18 points each. Multiply that by 5-6 jumps per skate and you see the math was not in Rippon’s favor.
But Rippon gave Olympic fans all that he had. And more.
He skated his long program exactly as he planned landing seven triple jumps, completing every spin and along the way reminded folks that artistry counts.
Additionally, Rippon was authentically “Adam” every step of the way. His charisma and charm captured the hearts of viewers around the world.
As an LGBTQ journalist and advocate, my heart grew three sizes larger as I celebrated Adam’s amazing achievement.
“The Olympics are about a whole lot more than just medals,” said NBC commentator Johnny Weir, “and Adam Rippon just proved that.”
“I have gotten a lot of attention just for being myself,” he said. “A lot of people when they come to a competition are afraid to be themselves, no matter who they are. One thing I want to come with from this competition — I am not a gay icon or America’s gay sweetheart. I am just America’s sweetheart and just an icon. If you have a personality like mine it’s for everybody.”
Rippon leaves PyeongChang with a bronze medal for his perfect performance in the team figure skating event that cemented Team USA’s medal win.
I don’t fully understand figure skating judging so I can’t really speculate on the scoring but @Adaripp‘s performance was truly mesmerizing. You’re #1 in our hearts, Adam! So proud of you and inspired by you.
the feeling of watching the world stand behind and actively root for a queer person on a global level has been overwhelming.
thank you @Adaripp for helping show LGBTQ youth everywhere that a better world where queer people are authentically celebrated is possible. https://t.co/ct8Ycnd7sK
Athleticism, artistry, and a Heart of Gold. @Adaripp, your positivity and your light shine through in all you do. And this is just the beginning. #WinterOlympics
Congratulations to openly gay Adam Rippon (@Adaripp) on an incredible #Olympics. From your unapologetic visibility to your incredible skating, it is clear that you are the #BestOfUS. 🏳️🌈⛸✨
• “Tree Man” Danny Jones (above) – who has over 850K followers on Instagram thanks to his incredible body, handsome face and inspiring thoughts – has his own insecurities in life. Check out his post on overcoming perceived “weaknesses” on his Instagram here.
• Woofy openly gay Marine Neil Rafferty has announced he plans on running for the Alabama State House.
• Jeffrey Tambor, the Emmy-winning star of Transparent where he plays trans woman “Maura Pfefferman, will not be returning for the show’s upcoming fifth season after multiple claims of sexual misconduct have been raised against him.
• Out Hollywood wonder boy Ryan Murphy (American Crime Story, GLEE, American Horror Story, Feud) has inked a five-year, $300 million deal to create and produce for Netflix.
• Out Canadian figure skater Eric Radford, who became the first openly gay man to win a gold medal at a Winter Olympics on this past Sunday, has announced he and partner Meagan Duhamel will retire immediately after these Winter Olympic Games. Radford and Duhamel won another medal, this time bronze, last night in the pairs competition.
• Bristol Palin, daughter of former half-term Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, has publicly criticized US Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon for refusing to meet with virulently anti-LGBT Vice President Mike Pence. You know, the paid spokesperson for teen celibacy who gave birth to two children out of wedlock? Yeah, her.
• Out singer Calum Scott has recorded a duet version of his single, “You Are The Reason,” with 3-time Grammy nominee Leona Lewis. The solo version of the track has garnered over 50 million streams online and the music video has over 40 million views.
You can check out the talented Mr. Scott with Ms. Lewis below. The track comes from Scott’s debut album Only Human due out March 9th.
Out US figure skater Adam Rippon, who won a bronze medal for his contribution to the team figure skating event on Sunday, told reporters at a press conference Tuesday that he didn’t want his “Olympic experience to be about Mike Pence.”
“I have no problem talking about what I’ve said because I stand by it, but I think right now the Olympics are about Olympic competition and the athletes involved. I don’t want it to distract from them, and I don’t want my Olympic experience to be about Mike Pence. I want it to be about my amazing skating and being America’s sweetheart.”
You’ll recall the whole Rippon debacle began when Rippon was asked by USA Today about the vice president leading the US delegation for the opening of the Olympics.
Rippon’s response: “You mean Mike Pence, the same Mike Pence that funded gay conversion therapy? I’m not buying it.”
Rippon was referencing a 2000 statement on Pence’s congressional campaign website which said, “Resources should be directed toward those institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior.”
I’m loving Adam’s clarity about who he is and the ease with which he lives his authentic self.
In an interview with Good Morning America today, US figure skater Adam Rippon was asked whether he would be willing to sit down with Vice President Mike Pence to discuss the anti-LGBT policies and positions Pence has promoted for several years.
Rippon gave the perfect answer.
“You know, I personally don’t have anything to say to Mike Pence. I’m very lucky because legislation that he’s pushed hasn’t affected my life at all. I spoke out because there are people out there who’s lives have been affected by change that he’s tried to make. I spoke out for them because right now I have a voice and I think it’s really important for me to use it. So, that’s a conversation for them to have.”
He was also asked about how he plans on celebrating once he gets home to the US. “I plan on going to Target, getting a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc Oyster Bay, with the twist top…? Yeah, immediately.”
I love that Adam is totally Adam in every interview he’s giving.
It was a spectacular night of Olympic figure skating last night as I sat glued to my flatscreen watching Team USA win the bronze medal in the Team skating event.
In the women’s freeskate, Mirai Nagasu made history as the first US woman to ever land a triple axel in Olympic competition (and only the third woman ever).
Out figure skater Adam Rippon made his Olympic debut for the mens freeskate and was dazzling in a performance that captivated the crowd and proved he has what it takes to be a major contender at these games.
Not to grouse, but many viewers were confounded by the fact that Rippon skated a totally clean skate but was scored third behind the skaters from Canada and Russia who both fell. Waiting to see that explained.
It’s worth noting that Rippon and Nagasu, who are besties and roommates at the Olympics, were shut out of the 2014 Olympics. So last night must have been an especially sweet moment to savor together.
In the end, Team Canada took gold, Olympic Athletes from Russia was awarded silver and the Americans took home the bronze.
In doing so, Rippon becomes the first openly gay American to win a Winter Olympic medal.
Also, Eric Radford of Canada becomes the first openly gay athlete to win gold at a Winter Olympics.
In an interview after his skate, Rippon was asked what the experience was like. After a pause, he responded, “Andrea, it’s like pretty awesome. I highly recommend it.”
Out U.S. Olympians – L to R – Adam Rippon, Brittany Bowe & Gus Kenworthy
With the 2018 Winter Olympics underway, the folks at OutSports.com have compiled a list of the 14 out athletes taking part in the games at PyeoungChang.
The list includes three Americans – freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy, figure skater Adam Rippon and speedskater Brittany Bowe.
Brittany Bowe (U.S., speedskating): Bowe is a former inline skater who has excelled on the ice, setting world records and winning medals. She competed in Sochi in 2014 but did not medal. An NBC Olympics profile noted that Bowe is dating Dutch speedskater Manon Kamminga. “It’s nice being with somebody that has the same passion, same drive, same goals,” Bowe said. “It’s obviously difficult living on different sides of the world. But we’re both focused on our goal.”
Gus Kenworthy (U.S., slopestyle free skiing): Easily the most publicized LGBT athlete of the Olympics, Kenworthy (a 2014 silver medalist) is a strong medal contender. He has gotten numerous endorsements and is one of NBC’s faces of the Games.
Adam Rippon (U.S., figure skating): The “old man” of the U.S. skating team at 28, Rippon jokes that he is proud of his “sons” Nathan Chen (18) and Vincent Zhou (17). Rippon came out in 2015 and proudly wears the banner of being the first publicly gay figure skater. His social media is acerbic and witty and must-follow.
These games mark the first time there will be openly gay men competing in the Winter Olympics.
According to OutSports, the number of out Olympians tops the seven from the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi. In contrast, there were 56 out Olympians at the much larger Summer Olympics in 2016.
Note: there well may be other LGBTQ athletes at the Olympics this season, but this list only includes those who have publicly acknowledged being out.
History was made today as freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy and figure skater Adam Rippon took part in the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Winter Olympics as the two first openly gay U.S. athletes to ever qualify for the Winter Games.
Entering the Olympic stadium with Team USA, the athletes shared several Twitter shots of themselves at the ceremony, hugging and beaming huge smiles.
“We’re here. We’re queer. Get used to it,” Kenworthy tweeted from the event.
Tonight I walked in the #OpeningCeremony and got to watch my old friend @Yunaaaa light the Olympic flame. Representing the USA is one of the greatest honors of my life and being able to do it as my authentic self makes it all so much sweeter 🇺🇸🏳️🌈🏆🌎❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZypvWkUBjD
