I am often criticized for spending too much time off the ice, but if you were in my shoes, you'd see how necessary it is.

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

Out of ugly, make something beautiful.

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'm hoping my presence alone in Russia will be a show of strength for the Russian LGBT community.

I think being in the public eye can only help me launch into the world of fashion.

I am an American man, and in America, we still think of figure skaters as little girls in pretty, sparkly dresses - I worked very hard to change the perception and image of figure skating, and I think I've done a great job on my end, but in figure skating, taste needs to evolve.