To me, figure skating is an art form, and that's what I always try to bring in, even to my competitive programs.

Being in the public eye is part of what I do, and taking on a multitude of different projects - television, radio, fashion, writing or deep-sea diving - is a blessing. It is also how I pay my bills and fund my own skating, as I don't have a sponsor or financial help from my federation.

I still have so much passion to perform... That's who Johnny Weir is: I'm a figure skater, I'm an athlete. I want to have fun and enjoy it.

When you are an athlete, it's difficult to take time off and say you want to come back without everyone judging you and attacking you.

My whole career, I've had an issue with always kind of being an underdog and making a big mistake when it counts and falling and having to climb back up. One moment everything will be peachy and everyone will be saying the nicest things about me and loving me, and the next minute I'm the worst, I'm evil, all these things. It's like a fallen angel.

I have a whole fur closet. I'm not afraid of PETA.

I grew my beard out a little bit just to show that indeed I am a man.