What was the craziest line of Adam Rippon's crazy interview?
One week in, Adam Rippon has become the indisputable breakout star of the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Whether it’s been through giving other gay athletes a voice or squabbling with Mike Pence and Donald Trump Jr., the 28-year-old Olympic rookie has been a breath of fresh air. He’s been a magnet for media members looking for a good sound bite in PyeongChang and you have to figure his odds of being on the next season of Dancing With The Stars are in the neighborhood of another NBA title for Golden State.
That’s not to say every media session has been golden for Rippon, who seemingly has no filter (which is part of his charm). He gave an interview to NBC’s Andrea Joyce minutes after posting a surprising score in the men’s short program and, well, see for yourself:
On what he was feeling during his short program:
“I was nervous as hell, but I went out there and I was like ‘Adam, Andrea is watching and you got to do this for her. Because she’s wearing a statement necklace and you’re at the Olympics.'”
On how can he explain becoming a star and skating well
“I can’t explain witchcraft. I just feel like I’m coming into my own. I’m confident in who I and what I’m doing. I’m just having a great time.”
On how he feels about celebrities like Reese Witherspoon and Elmo tweeting about him.
“On the spectrum from Reese Witherspoon to Elmo, I’m like excited at about a Meryl Streep. Does that make sense?”
Actually, no it doesn’t.
Like at all.
Of course, that still doesn’t mean that we are still not entertained in full by Rippon. He later visited the mixed media zone and went three-for-three on his funnies this time:
Adam Rippon: “It’s my world, and the rest of us are living in it.”
he clarifies that’s he’s joking pic.twitter.com/v8bqN468o0
— Joon Lee (@iamjoonlee) February 16, 2018
Adam Rippon on how he’s blocked out any potential distractions from social media: “If you knew me, you would know I’m a hot mess. There’s nothing more distracting than being me.”
— Joon Lee (@iamjoonlee) February 16, 2018
“Adam, not everyone loves you.”
Rippon: “I know. It’s hard to believe.”
“What do you have to say about that?”
Rippon: “Haters are fans in denial.”
— Joon Lee (@iamjoonlee) February 16, 2018
Rippon will get a chance to make more haters and fans on Saturday when the men’s individual competition comes to a close with the long program.
More Olympic coverage from Yahoo Sports:
• A world away, U.S. tragedy brings tears to Olympics
• Radio host fired for ugly comment about underage Olympian
• Olympic snowboarder breaks neck on scary fall
• Jamaica’s coach quits, may leave team without sled
• Attorney for Shaun White’s accuser fires back
