The Best of Binky's Johnny Weir Blog: Beautiful Flower in Beijing

Johnny performs to ‘Unforgettable Jasmine Flower’ for the BTV New Year’s Eve Global Music Countdown to 2017 special recorded in Beijing, China, over the weekend.

So Johnny has just returned from a fast-paced five days in China, capped by his “Unforgettable Jasmine Flower” performance recorded for Beijing TV’s huge New Year’s Eve special: “BTV New Year’s Eve Global Music Countdown to 2017.”

It was a tremendous honor for Johnny to be invited to this event, where he skated to a live performance by renowned Chinese singer Lei Jia, a close friend of China’s First Lady, Peng Liyuan. Lei Jia first performed “Unforgettable Jasmine Flower,” an updated version of the traditional Chinese song, “Jasmine Flower / Mo Li Hua,” for all the assembled heads of state at the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China, in September 2016.

Below we have every bit of coverage I could find of Johnny’s visit via the wondrously confusing labyrinths of Weibo, from his arrival at the Beijing airport to rehearsals to actual and glorious video of his performance! Please enjoy all the loveliness to close out this generally hideous year...

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN BEIJING

The Pandas await Johnny with a beautiful bouquet featuring jasmine flowers.

And he’s here!!

DAY 2: REHEARSAL

DAY 3: FAN LUNCH & SHOPPING

Johnny and his Pandas enjoyed a little time together during his brief trip, during which he was admonished by concerned Pandas to be sure to wear his mask if he ventured out into the city.

With my dear friend Haohewuyin (“Number” on Twitter), one of the leaders of Johnny’s Pandas, who always knows what’s going on and how to solve any problem no matter how intense the chaos.

Johnny also posted the photo below on his Weibo and wrote: “I was a good boy and wore my mask! 😷 😇” (Possibly so Haohewuyin wouldn’t yell at him.)

Even the air quality warnings from Chinese government can't keep me away from Christmas shopping. 🎁
3,095 Likes, 25 Comments - *JOHNNY WEIR* (@johnnygweir) on Instagram: "Even the air quality warnings from Chinese government can't keep me away from Christmas shopping. 🎁"

DAY 4: SHOWTIME!

So apparently there was a really really really long time spent waiting backstage because Johnny’s performance came very very very late in the taping. Fortunately that meant there was time for him and Evgeni Plushenko to hang out, as seen in these photos, which may or may not be in the right order.

Warming up? Waiting for show time with @plushenkoofficial ❤️💤
8,740 Likes, 115 Comments - *JOHNNY WEIR* (@johnnygweir) on Instagram: "Warming up? Waiting for show time with @plushenkoofficial ❤️💤"

And then, at last, it was time for Johnny’s “Unforgettable Jasmine Flower.”

Three gorgeous gifs, with thanks to @Selogia_Stark on Weibo.

VIDEO!

Johnny’s rehearsal of “Unforgettable Jasmine Flower.”
Video link.

Gorgeous HD fancam of his performance, with special thanks to Johnny’s Pandas!
Video link.

Beautiful video compilation of the broadcast version combined with additional HD fancam, created by Johnny’s Pandas so that Johnny’s fans could have a completely “Johnny-focused” version from the broadcast. Thank you, dear Pandas!
Video link.