Live Online Chat
Session One
Transcript by Angie
Hi. I've been working in therapy since my injury and glad to be here.
Your a great skater, how does it feel to be the youngest skater to win a gold medal?
Amazing. You work so hard to do the best for yourself. When you skate your best and break records to you get everything in one. Its pretty cool.
What are you skating to for SOI this year?
A song called Dance with Me.
Are you doing duet with Kurt this year, you were great together.
Not this season, next year maybe. In the group numbers we'll be together though.
Tara, I was so sorry about your injury. How is your rehab going?
It's pretty hard but I get up and go to skate for about 45 minutes, then therapy for about 2 1/2 hours, then pool therapy for an hour.
Have you been working on any acting projects recently?
Um not too recently with the injury. I did this summer. After that, I have some auditions for the spring. As of now I'm pretty booked.
What exactly was the surgery? What did they do, what was damaged?
I had a hip arthroscopy. I had a torn labrum OT. Its the cartilage around the joint, it was causing pain and arthritis. He took that out and tightened the join capsule. That's what takes time to heal, the joint was loose.
Tara how does it feel to be a star at such a young age? Do you feel you missed out on a lot of normal teen activities?
Not at all. I'm pretty normal. My parents keep me that way. I have lots of friends. Its just a bonus, no drawbacks then. A lot of work but its all worth it.
What is your favorite thing about touring with SOI? Why?
The audiences, getting excited, coming out in pitch black. Thousands of people coming out just for you. That's what you live for.
What's your favourite place to shop?
The Galleria Mall, I could get lost in there for days. Every shop, Nieman Marcus I like a lot.
If you could give advice to young skaters what would it be?
To love what you do, if not then find something else you have a passion for. Anything is possible and you have to love skating.
Would you like to star as a leading lady in a romantic comedy? If so, what actor would you want to be your leading man?>
I'd love to do a movie of course. I've been aiming for that this year, not playing myself of course. I have lots of favorite actors so I don't know. Anyone would be fine I guess.
Do you ever get scared before a performance?
Of course. You get nervous every time. If I wasn't I'd be nervous about why I wasn't nervous. You learn to work with it and use it to your advantage.
Tara do you think that 12 is too late of an age to start?
No especially if you like it. I started young but a lot of great skaters have started at 12 or older.
Tara, do you have any college plans?
Hmm. Now I'm just taking a break. I do want to go to college, but I want to do it the right way. I don't have to have to juggle a bunch of things at once.
How busy are you during the day and how long do you plan on skating?
My days are pretty busy. I plan on skating as long as I can, hopefully that's a lot more years.
Do you think you will do a performance at the Galleria again?
You never know. Nothing is planned though.
How challenging is rehab been?
Pretty challenging. You don't realize how much pain there is with surgery. This is my first. We're getting there. I still have hope.
Do you still collect Beanie Babies? Are you collecting anything else?
Yes I still collect them. Not really collecting anything right now.
Are you planning on doing any more star clinics?
My schedule doesn't include those yet. I don't know if I will. Not right now.
Any special diets for skating?
Just a healthy one. I don't eat any junk food, a lot of eggs and fish for protein.
Tara what's it like role model teens?
Sometimes it's weird. I still look up to a lot of people. I just try to be genuine and love what I do and I am happy to be a role model.
What's your favourite stop on SOI and why?
I love New York. My mom comes to visit and we have a lot of days off.
When you get better are you going to include the triple loop, triple loop combination in any of your programs again?
Triple loop, triple loop. That's what I ruined my hip on, but you never know.
What was it like doing commentary at Grand Slam?
Yea I had fun. It was different I'd like to do that again in the future.
Do you take coco with you on tour?
No. Too much work, I wish I could though. My dog, a Maltese.
What kind of music do you listen to?
Pop rock, anything really. I don't really have a favourite. I listen to a lot of different stuff. Whatever's on the radio.
Do you still collect Frogs?
No, laughing. I had too many, I could open up a frog store.
If you hadn't started skating, what do you think you would be doing now after high school?
Hmm probably just be in school but I like being active. I'd go crazy if I wasn't doing something.
Where is your medal? At home?
In a museum right now, with Sonja Heine's, the record who I broke.
What other sports do you like to watch on tv?
Hockey. I like the Red Wings. I played roller hockey.
What’s the best part of touring the country?
Just being with the people on the road, seeing a new audience every night. Its relaxing even, you get the mornings off and roam around. It's fun.
What is your biggest off ice accomplishment?
I'm pretty proud for graduating high school - the right way. I was in a high school in Texas. I didn't do home schooling. It was demanding. But, I'm glad I did it.
Who is your hero/heroine?
Kurt Browning. A lot of different people.
Did you know lots of people in UK LOVE you and your skating? Have you ever been to UK?
Never been there, but I get a lot of fan letters from there. I think that's pretty cool.
Are you going to do anything with the 2002 Olympics?
I may, I want to be involved as much as possible.
Hi how are you? are you still doing that soap opera show?
No, I finished that. I wanted to move on and do some movies though.
What is your favourite TV show?
I haven't watched much TV lately, I like Friends though. I'm looking forward to the new one tonight.
It sounds like you cook a lot. What's your favourite thing to cook?
I like to cook my meals, but I like to bake desserts and stuff. I just made holiday pumpkin cookies. I didn't eat any though.
What kind of advice can you give me to improve skating since I can only skate once a week for 45 minutes.
Just, maybe get a coach and follow their plan. Make goals and try to reach them. Try something new every week.
Which eligible and up and coming skaters do you like and enjoy?
There haven't been that many lately. I don't know though.
Who is your favorite male skater?
Kurt Browning.
Do you collect magazine and shows that you have been in?
Not everyone that would be hard. I keep some special ones. My acting ones I'm proud. The Olympics and stuff were cool. The McCall's one was fun.
How long have you been skating? How old were you when you decided to skate?
At about 3, roller skating and ice skating at 6. I did both when I was 9. I played lots of sports and stopped when I didn't like them but I always skating.
What's your favorite program ever?
Genie in the bottle last year was great. Darren Hesnson is a choreographer that worked with Christina Agulera and Britney Spears and stuff so that was fun. I met Britney once and she was cool.
Any clue to what your costumes might be for SOI?
I have no idea. We haven't even gone over it yet. I work with my designer Jeff Billings. He has great ideas.
Have you met anyone from friends?
No but I want to. I've been on the set, cause I was on Veronica's Closest but I didn't meet them. My favourite is Phoebe. She reminds me of a close friend of mine.
Have you ever skated in Alaska?
Yes I did once. I took a little plane there and it scared me. I won't do that again. But I liked Alaska - it stayed light all day.
Do you plan on writing more books?
Yea I'm always thinking of something. I'd love to write more books. Maybe an instructional book or a children’s book.
If given the chance would you reinstate in 2002?
No, I’m very happy with my life now. With my hip injury it was one of the factors that went into turning pro. Doing the triple-triple really took a toll on my body. The doctors said I wouldn't last so I wanted to be in for the long haul.
What is your favourite movie type?
Maybe comedy. I like that. I like Robin Wiliams a lot. That would be great to work with him.
Why did you want to go to the Olympics and how did you start?
There wasn't really a specific time. I worked hard and it just fell into place. But it was always a dream of mine.
What keeps you going during rehab? Any special thoughts?
My drive to be back on the ice. To be performing for all my fans.
I have to finish my therapy now. Thanks for coming. I'll try to get recovered and get back out there as soon as possible. I have a diary entry in the next 2-3 days for my site, www.taralipinski.com
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