Johnny Weir life and biography

Johnny Weir is an American figure skater. He is a three-time U.S. National Champion (2004-2006), the 2008 Worlds bronze medalist, a two-time Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, and the 2001 World Junior Champion. Weir did not skate competitively in the 2010-11 season and plans to sit out the 2011-2012 season as well. Weir was born in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, to John and Patti Weir. He is of Norwegian heritage. He has a brother, Brian, who is four years younger. Weir was raised in Quarryville, Pennsylvania, a town in southern Lancaster County. His family moved to Newark, Delaware, soon after Johnny began skating at the age of 12 so he could be near his training rink and coach. In the summer of 2007, he moved to Lyndhurst, New Jersey, and began training in nearby Wayne. Weir was an honor roll student at Newark High School and studied linguistics part-time at the University of Delaware before dropping out to concentrate on his skating. He is a self-proclaimed Russophile who admires the skating style and culture of Russia and taught himself to speak and read the language. He also speaks some French.

At the age of 27, Johnny Weir a three-time US champion, two-time Olympian, and World medalist is one of the superstars of figure skating and an emerging pop-culture icon. Fans all over the globe love his elegant yet edgy style both on and off the ice, and the delicious unpredictability of what he'll say or wear, or do next.

ohnny went on to win the bronze medal at the 2008 World Championships the only medal won by a member of Team USA at that competition as well as US Figure Skating's 2008 Readers' Choice Award for Skater of the Year (Michelle Kwan Trophy).

In 2010, Johnny made the US Olympic team for the second time and represented his country in the Olympic Games in Vancouver, once again capturing the hearts of millions. Post-Olympics, Johnny has put his fame to good use, balancing performances in skating shows around the world with appearances at various benefits and charity events across the US. He is the star of his own reality series, Be Good Johnny Weir on the Logo Network, for which he won the 2010 NewNowNext Award for Most Addictive Reality Star. Also in 2010, he again earned the Readers' Choice Award for Skater of the Year, making Johnny the only skater other than Michelle Kwan to win this trophy more than once.

In fall 2010, Johnny was honored by the Human Rights Campaign-Seattle with the HRC Visibility Award. In his introduction of Johnny, HRC spokesman Dr. Marty Lieberman explained that the award is given to "individuals who are living open and honest lives. Well, Johnny is doing much more than that. He is a force of nature, with all of his fabulousness swirling around him like the eye of a storm. … Johnny has given courage to all the little boys and girls out there who want to pursue [their] dreams … [T]hank you, Johnny Weir, for making the world a more welcoming place, and for your brave determination to be who you are."

Most recently, Johnny was selected as Grand Marshal of the 2011 Los Angeles PRIDE Parade, one of the largest LGBT pride celebrations in the country. At the pre-parade press conference, he said:

"I'm so, so honored to be here and privileged to be the grand marshal. It's an incredible, incredible experience. I'm here representing my community and so many beautiful people that I'm proud of. I'm here representing my family for supporting me the entire way through my youth, my career as an Olympian, no matter what. [I'm] representing our brothers and sisters all over the world and even in America who are still discriminated against, still don't have equal rights as Americans. I'm here with love for everybody. I'm so, so proud."

Brilliantly talented, unabashedly outspoken, always entertaining, and known around the world as the "people's skater," Johnny continues to win the hearts of new fans with every appearance.

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