Tonya Harding, the former figure skating star, is making headlines once again as she prepares to return to the ice after nearly three decades. In a recent interview with KOIN 6, a CBS affiliate based in Portland, Oregon, the 55-year-old revealed her intention to skate publicly in December, claiming that her passion for the sport is too strong for her to step away. “The love of skating is the reason why I’ve always come back,” she said, expressing her excitement and commitment to the art of figure skating.
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Harding first gained national prominence in 1991 when she became the first American woman to successfully land a triple Axel in competition during the U.S. Championships. This remarkable achievement contributed to her winning the title that year, as well as securing a second-place finish at the World Championships, falling just behind Kristi Yamaguchi. Despite her early triumphs, Harding struggled to replicate her success with the triple Axel in subsequent competitions.
Her career took a dark turn in 1994 when she was embroiled in a scandal concerning an attack on fellow skater Nancy Kerrigan, which occurred just prior to the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. Kerrigan was assaulted at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, an incident that ultimately saw her win a silver medal at the Olympics. Harding’s involvement, through her ex-husband Jeff Gillooly and others, led to her conviction for conspiracy to obstruct justice. As a result, she received three years of probation, a $160,000 fine, and was banned for life from the U.S. Figure Skating Association.
Despite her long-standing ban, Harding is not re-entering competitive figure skating. Instead, she is scheduled to perform in a public skating show entitled “Tonya and Friends” at Mountain View Ice Arena in Vancouver, Washington, on December 12. She has expressed her desire for attendees to simply enjoy the performance, stating, “I just want people to come out and have fun and be able to enjoy a real skating show.”
Since reconnecting with skating earlier this year, Harding has been training twice a week, using a harness to help enhance her strength and overall performance capabilities. She conveyed her delight in returning to the ice, noting that it “makes my heart feel good.” Her long-time coach, Dody Teachman, who began working with her in the 1990s, echoed this enthusiasm, describing Harding as “a force all her own.”
After her figure skating career came to an abrupt halt, Harding transitioned to boxing, making appearances in Celebrity Boxing in 2002 and participating in a total of six fights, winning three of them. She also saw her life story gaining renewed interest in 2017 with the release of “I, Tonya,” a biographical film that garnered critical acclaim. The film featured Margot Robbie as Harding and earned three Oscar nominations, with Allison Janney winning Best Supporting Actress for her role as Harding’s mother.
Further embracing her public persona, Harding participated in the reality show “Dancing with the Stars” in 2018, securing a third-place finish. Reflecting on her journey during the show, she remarked, “I’m not here to prove anything to anyone except myself,” reiterating her hope that her son would understand that she has not been defined by her past mistakes. Her son, Gordon Price, was born in 2011 with husband Joseph Price.
Most recently, Harding showcased her culinary skills by winning the 2019 season of “Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition,” earning a $25,000 donation for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In a statement to PEOPLE in January 2024, she shared, “My family and I are doing good,” adding that she has been working as a custodian for two businesses under the same corporation for the past year.
As Harding gears up for her return to skating, her journey from the ice to the spotlight and back again continues to captivate audiences. With her determination and love for the sport, she aims to reconnect with both the figure skating community and fans alike in her upcoming public performance.