It's a beautiful program, of course, something that Johnny brought back for the Nationals. It also gives credence to what I've said all year about Johnny's lackluster performance this season.
I've said in previous posts to this blog that I believe that Johnny has been confused this season. He has gone on the record regarding his desire to change his image, and both his short and long programs have been his attempts to accomplish that goal. I believe these attempts are part of the what cost Johnny his fourth Nationals title. There are other reasons as well: his inconsistencies throughout the season, injuries, not enough practice time, Evan Lysacek learning from past mistakes. I understand that it had to be difficult to focus after Lysacek's near-perfect long program at Nationals, especially with the audience's reaction, but for someone at Johnny's level, that's no excuse.
I can also understand when an elite athlete (or any successful person, for that matter) gets burnt out. It takes an enormous amount of work and commitment to be one of the best figure skaters in the world. I can understand why Johnny would want to stir things up a bit for himself, to ensure his longevity, prevent longevity, and to make it more fun.
That being said, though, I will state again that I believe that with the changes this season, in a way Johnny has lost himself. He's wanted to be more "masculine" (and I'll say it again--whatever that means). However, that's just not who he is, and in spite of the changes, there were contradictions in his attempts. All season, for example, he's worn the costume shown below during his Jesus long program.
I think it's obvious that Johnny's statements about changing his image and style contradict what the above costume portrays; it's very similar to other costumes he's worn in the past. Like his skating up to now in his career, it's flowing with long lines. I also think that instead of taking my advice, he attempted to go even further at the Nationals, as the below photo shows. (Sorry for the quality; it's the best one I could find.
I maintain that it's obvious that Johnny's attempts to change his image this season have failed. I also maintain that the reason for that, as I've also stated before, is that he's trying to change who he is. And Johnny, being the kind of person who has to be who he is, has struggled. I believe that his exhibition performance after Nationals--well, exhibits that.
First, it's a program he's done before--before the change-in-image attempts. So it does a good job at showing what Johnny does best--the fludity, the long lines, the liquid gold. I hate the song "Imagine," but Johnny does a good job interpreting it--another thing he excels at.
The audience at the Exhibition thought so, too. As I said initially, most of the skaters received standing ovations because of their performances earlier in the week. I believe that the ovation Johnny received was genuine--yes, given because we felt bad for him, but also because it was an outstanding performance. He gave us a performance that was typically Johnny Weir, and it was his best one (technically as well as artistically) he gave all week.
It's my hope that Johnny will learn from the experience of this season. He has said that every competition is a learning experience for him. I hope that he figures out that he needs to be true to himself. I believe that this is true for all of us--we are happier when we figure out who we are and stick to it. It's when we try to be someone other than who we are that we fail.
It's ironic that Johnny was chosen to portray Christ this season, because I believe that Jesus shows us what it's like to be fully human. When we're like Jesus, we're the most human. I believe that when I try to be someone other than who I really am, that's when I'm least like Jesus.
So my hope and prayer for Johnny Weir is that he realizes that he skates best when he's true to himself. As a figure skating fan, it's what I want to see.
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