RSS
Home
Nastia Liukin discusses life after Olympics, 'Gossip Girl' and tour
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
.jpg)
Nastia Liukin
Photo courtesy of Stew Milne, US Presswire
Routinely the Olympics turn athletes who were relatively unknown outside their sport's immediate circle into overnight celebrities. Nastia Liukin is one of those instant stars, partly because she won the individual all-around gold, and also because she's been busy since returning from Beijing.
Before the Olympics publicity machine started the only gymnast I had really heard of was Alicia Sacramone, and that is because there was a YouTube video of her knocking some guy out cold. Nastia is certainly grabbing her share of the spotlight now, with a clothing line coming out, endorsement deals and a 37-city gymnasts tour.
"I feel like this tour is a thank you for the fans for all the support they have given us across this journey," Liukin said. "We go through the audience and give them fives."
Liukin took some time out of her schedule to talk about everything Nastia. Speaking from New York, Liukin explained she was in town to film a guest spot on the popular teen show 'Gossip Girl.' The way she found her way to Silvercup Studios and on set of the hit show is nothing short of a Hollywood ending.
"I was in LA having dinner with friends and the people sitting next to us were the producers for Gossip Girl," Liukin said. "They sent over a note that said 'Congratulations and keep watching 'Gossip Girl.' The next day they called my agent and we sat down and said they wanted me to be on the show."
I don't think Liukin will be giving the show's signature send-off "XOXO, Gossip Girl" but she is enjoying her time in the spotlight. When there is time for it.
Liukin is working on a clothing line now and has only been home for about "a week," she said. She has been so busy because she is on the 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars, which will be at Verizon Center on Thursday, October 30 at 7:30 p.m. Liukin is joined by teammates Shawn Johnson, Chellsie Memmel and Alicia Sacramone (who will be bringing her killer right hook). Also in tow is former Olympic star Shannon Miller and a bunch of male gymnasts, including Paul and Morgan Hamm.
Those expecting to see rigid performances and underaged Chinese female gymnasts will be disappointed. Instead the tour mixes loose, fun gymnastics and live music performances by Jordan Pruitt and KSM.
"It's totally different than the Olympics," Liukin said. "It's more like a show and exhibition then the Olympics. It's more of a live show . . . a lot of costumes. . . It's all choreographed. It's all planned out we have a lot of group numbers."
Tickets to see the show are $125.00, $79.50, $49.50, $39.50 and $29.50 (plus the usual service charges). Tickets are on sale now and are available through all Ticketmaster outlets including the Verizon Center box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com and via Phonecharge at 703-573-SEAT, 202-397-SEAT and 410-547-SEAT.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
