Monday, July 28, 2014

"Love Is In Your Eyes"

Beautiful Johnny as the King’s Consort, 
skating to “When Love Is Gone” from Farewell My Concubine
The King’s role is skated by Zhang Hao in the 
boundary-breaking male/male pairs performance 
that has now moved two Chinese audiences to tears and 
to the loudest applause for any performance during 
both shows thus far, according to fan reports. 

Please click for full-size image. 
Original here.



60+ Artistry on Ice pics below, 
plus HD videos from both shows!

More to come, including 
Johnny’s Bollywood picspam! 



NEW: Fan poll 
on Johnny’s official website!! 
Voting continues through August 5. 
More details below!



Yes!! Summer touring continues! 
Johnny just finished his Fantasy on Ice tour 
performances, so get ready: the Weibocalypse 
of Artistry on Ice is happening now! 
Please see Johnny’s official website for all 
his performance dates this summer!


Johnny’s ONLY US performance 
this summer will be in Sun Valley, ID, August 16. 
Tickets on sale now. 
Don’t miss this chance to see him skate live!!




Dear Johnny, 
we believe in you, 
we support you, and 
we love you always.


Note: Candles last only 48 hours, so please visit often 
to keep the love and light shining...

Exclusive photo © David Ingogly.



So as I was explaining on Twitter, this whole post sort of got away from me today and ended up being waaaaay longer than I meant it to be, although I started off simply enough with this tidy premise: how about I just throw some of my favorites from Weibo up to this point on here and we’ll just enjoy those for now while I blog more later this week?

But then my favorites ended up being like 150+ pics although I did scale back to 70+ and then my dear friend Elena Vasileva kept churning out HD videos of every Johnny glimpse, all of which I love and all of which needed to be embedded here immediately, and seriously, I have not even scratched the surface of what’s going on over there in Weibogeddon....

So what we have here today are indeed basically four-ish sections of favorites: more from Johnny’s first performance as the King’s Consort in Beijing; random Beijing opening and closing pics; my favorite rehearsal series (so far) from Shanghai; and some special Shanghai picspam. Oh, and then some bonus pics.

But in a break from tradition, we begin with this collection of videos, all of them high-def, all of them amazing, all of them courtesy of Elena, who patiently downloaded them from various Chinese sites and uploaded them to YouTube. Which often takes forever. Possibly longer. 

And then after you’ve sat spellbound on YouTube for 45 minutes or so, please enjoy all the endless picspam from all the performances you just saw. Because yes please.



Artistry on Ice: 
Video Heaven.

AOI Opening Group Number, Beijing
Video link.


Johnny’s Bollywood performance, Beijing.
Video link.


Johnny and Zhang Hao, “When Love is Gone” 
(Farewell My Concubine), Beijing.
Video link.


Johnny and Zhang Hao, “When Love is Gone” 
(Farewell My Concubine), Beijing, 
alternate version.
Video link.


Johnny and Zhang Hao, “When Love is Gone” 
(Farewell My Concubine), Beijing, 
another alternate version.
Video link.


AOI Finale, Beijing.
Video link.


Johnny discusses playing the role of the King’s Consort, 
AOI press conference, Shanghai.
Video link.


Johnny’s Bollywood performance, Shanghai, 
wearing an alternate costume.
Video link.


Johnny and Zhang Hao, “When Love is Gone” 
(Farewell My Concubine), Shanghai. 
The crowd is thrilled as Johnny 
successfully lands the throw jump!
Video link.


Johnny and Zhang Hao, “When Love is Gone” 
(Farewell My Concubine), Shanghai, alternate version. 
Really excellent view of the throw.
Video link.


AOI Finale, Shanghai. 
With absolutely wonderful Johnny moments.
Video link.
Special surprise picspam from the 
Shanghai closing awaits you below...


ICYMI: More vids here!



Artistry on Ice:
Weibo Photocalypse.

Photos below credited per Weibo stamp on each image unless otherwise noted. Please, please click any photo twice for the full-size image. Many are gloriously huge and offer exquisite detail. These may take a moment to load, but are well worth the wait.



“When Love Is Gone.”

I am in love with this program. 

And I am far from alone: both the Beijing and Shanghai arenas were packed, and the crowds have responded mightily to the program, which is making headlines in China and being hailed as the highlight of the show. One Weibo poster called it “genius.” All seem to understand that Johnny is not portraying the role as a woman, but as a man; that the traditional story has been interpreted in this new way to illustrate the age-old truths that all hearts know: love is love. And love is life.

There’s a brief series of closeups of Johnny and Zhang in the picspam below that attracted some attention on Weibo. Commenters reacted: “[Johnny] absolutely understands the story! His expression is perfect!” “The story is in his eyes.” 

One of my Weibo friends noted: “There’s a phrase in the novel Farewell My Concubine, ‘眼为情苗 eyes for mood.’ I think we can know his affection from his eyes, the performance is brilliant!” 

And then she clarified, “Sorry, maybe I didn’t translate this phrase properly. How about ‘love is in your eyes’? Really I like this phrase and Johnny showed us what it had described.”

Yes. As does Zhang. Passionately, boldly, hauntingly.



“Incredibly beautiful. 
In every way that this can be.” 












































































AOI Beijing: 
Opening and Finale.

There have been mixed reactions to these costumes. 
I feel like Johnny’s making it work here.










So happy...


...so beautiful.


I love this.



Shanghai: Rehearsal.

Because if there’s one thing every post needs, it’s more Johnny with bonus Stéphane.

Source. Via @1477952164 on Weibo.



















Shanghai: Finale.

As I was saying....

Source 1Source 2, via @qiyiyikodo on Weibo.





























Also: Instagram.

Via Johnny: “Look of the day: T @hachibalmung, 
vintage Prada slipper #nopants”


Via Maxim Trankov: 
“Autograph session”


Via Johnny: “Show time in Shanghai. 
Channeling our inner Leslie Chow 
with @xam_trankov.”


Via Johnny: “Thank you Shanghai! 
I love you so much!”


Johnny with fans in Shanghai after the show.
Via @pigcolour: “fantastic show and 
fantastic Johnny tonight! Thank U so much!”


And one more. 
Because this is my favorite too.



Very special thanks to Elena Vasileva 
for her hours and hours of work to capture and upload 
all these videos in HD!! We love you!

And very special thanks also to all 
the amazing and incredibly generous Chinese fans, 
whose photos and videos bring Johnny's beautiful 
performances to life for all of us around the world. 
We love you too!



ICYMI: “Forbidden Love: The King’s Consort.
First look at Johnny as the King’s Consort 
and partner Zhang Hao as the King in 
their stunning performance inspired by
“Farewell My Concubine,” from the opening show 
of the Artistry on Ice tour.  

Exclusive photo © Joveta Leo.
Please, please click here 
for stunning full-size image.



The Weibocalypse Is Nigh.
Thursday rehearsal pics plus coverage 
of the Beijing press conference!
Please click here for beautiful full-size image, 
and roll around in the picspam here.
Exclusive photo © Joveta Leo.



Surrounded By So Much Love.
Wednesday rehearsal pics plus fan meeting pics!
Not all of the rehearsal was quite this serious, though.... 
Please click for beautiful full-size image,
and enjoy all the endless picspam here



Very special thanks to Joveta Leo 
for the exclusive pics!!



Johnny stars in To Russia With Love
a new documentary about LGBT athletes, portions of which 
were filmed in secret during his time in Sochi as an NBC figure 
skating commentator. He also is an executive producer for the film, 
a project of Robert Redford’s Sundance Productions, 
which will premiere October 22.
More info here and on the EPIX website.



Johnny and Tara’s brilliant commentary 
segment from Late Night With Seth Meyers!
Video link.
Watch their interview with Seth here.



Johnny and Dora!!
Watch his spot over and over again 
here, here, or here!



On Johnny’s website, 
linked to his retirement statement
Thank YOU, Johnny!



ICYMI: Johnny plans to discuss his personal difficulties just once, 
in an exclusive interview with Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush. 
The three-part interview is available at these links:




UPDATE: In response to a rash of erroneous reports in the media, 
Johnny spoke briefly with Access Hollywood again
to set the record straight.




Also on the blog:
“Rise Like a Phoenix”
An exquisite black-and-white series 
of Johnny at rehearsal. 
Exclusive photo © David Ingogly.
Please click twice for larger image.



Johnny’s latest column for the 
Falls Church News-Press.
His columns are published every Thursday 
in the “National Commentary“ 
section—don’t miss a single one! 



A number of Johnny’s auction items 
have been relistedwhich means if you missed out 
the first time around, you’re in luck: 
It’s not too late to own a piece of Weir Gear! 
Go check it out and see what treasures 
you could take home!



Please alert absolutely everyone you’ve ever met 
to “like” and follow the new 
on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr
Because he should be on all the things. 
With or without ice. 
But definitely with Viacheslav.



Please click to vote for Johnny 
once a day as “Best Sportsman”
Because he retweeted Luisa Lotka  to tell us he wants us to! 




Watch bonus clips online anytime on Logo!
Please be sure to check in with GetGlue
anytime you’re watching the show... 
or thinking about watching the show.... 
or wishing you were watching the show....



At last: Pop Star On Ice is now available on DVD!
Order yours today from the Pop Star On Ice website!



Johnny tweeted:
“Buy my single,’Dirty Love’ via iTunes.
Tell all your friends to as well. The more copies sold
takes me one step closer to making a video! №1!”
IN THE SAME WAY THAT IT NEEDS AIR.
You know what to do.
Please buy the song from Johnny’s website,
or just click the “Buy” button on the player at the top of the blog!



Hey, Welcome to My World also is available
as an eBook! More info on Johnny’s website!


copyright 2014 Binky and the Misfit Mimes / Lynn V. Ingogly / all rights reserved

1 comment:

Unknown said...

When “Love Is In Your Eyes” was posted I took a look at one of the videos and immediately knew a viewing party was needed. The pictures were in crisp huge HD, so sumptuous Johnny’s Jaguars spent an afternoon texting about them. But I was particularly grateful to the videographer Elena Vasileva who captured the performances in sparkly crystal-clear HD video. They were spot on, following Johnny around the rink capturing his emotion as he skated to “Where Love Has Gone.”

I pulled out my copy of “Farewell My Concubine,” one of those movies you watch on occasion but you must have in your collection. I invited as many of the JJags that could make it, popped popcorn and everyone generously brought many, many bottles of wine. We turned off the lights in front of a big flat “screen and nestled in to watch “Farewell My Concubine first. It had to be first so everyone who hadn’t seen it could understand Johnny’s gestures and facial expressions in his performance with Zhang Hao.

Tears flowing as effusively as the water main break near UCLA, we decided to take a wine intermission to steady ourselves for more tears. I lined up the China videos so we could view them back to back and the room became as excited and happy as the voices you hear in the audience during each of the performances. It was like . . . . we were there in the darkened arena watching an awesome show!

After the videos had played, we turned up the lights a bit and watched the various versions of “WLHG.” (Thank you Binky!! You know how his fans are!! We want to see all of the angles so we can appreciate his performance!!) Before we watched Johnny’s press conference where he explains his interpretation, I really wanted to hear what everyone had to say about JGW’s performance and the movie. They were spot on.

It’s amazing how JGW condensed a two hour movie into a 5 minute routine. It’s all about the eyes isn’t it? Dieyi and Xiaolou are friends who have struggled since childhood to survive with everything but the kitchen sink thrown at them and their friendship. It’s obvious they love each other; they’ve been through too much together not to. Even in the opera they are known for, you still feel there is so much they cannot say to each other but have to express through their gestures and . . . . their eyes.

Each is his own man with his own wants, but unfortunately they cannot be to each other what they both need. Because of the cruel orphanage/opera, the boiling political climate around them, the betrayals, the people who surround them and admire them, they rarely speak their truths. They use their eyes and their gestures to express how they feel to each other. I loved it when Hao grabbed JGW’s wrist like he was saying no listen to me! It reminded me of the argument Dieyi and Xiaolou had when Dieyi wanted them to be together forever. Or the haunting line, "I am by nature a boy . . "

And the JJags got it immediately. We watched the press conference and I observed them shaking their heads knowingly in agreement with JGW. He wanted to tell their story and he did. They both did. I think we all left the viewing party changed and energized. Perfection is in the details and no matter what you endeavor to do you should give it the respect and honor it deserves. Clearly Johnny and his performances and you and this blog both understand the joy of getting it right.

We just want to thank you for all the time, effort and love you put into your blog. I’ve state before, it’s a safe haven where we can come and enjoy Johnny and his escapades without gossip or innuendo. It took us a while to find you but we’re so glad we did. Much love and keep doing what you’re doing. You’re making a lot of people very happy!!