'Rise Up' with Michelle Kwan and Andra Day, skating on Christmas Day

January 20th began and ended, as every day does. In many ways it was like any January day. Here in England it was raining. Elsewhere, friends and family spent the day in the heat of summer. In Washington we could see snow and sun through our screens. Yet this day was not like others. It is one year after the first case of COVID-19 was recorded in my home country, and on this date we have 400,000 Americans who are no longer with us as a result of this cruel disease. Also on this day a new President, has stepped into office, and with him a renewed hope for the end of this pandemic that is taking the lives and livelihoods of so many.

Since her Olympic retirement, Michelle has devoted her entire career to public service, first to the U.S. Department of State, and then to the Clinton and Biden campaigns, as a public envoy for diplomacy and outreach. She expresses here in movement what I am feeling on this day. We shot this in December 2018 in Santa Monica to the beautiful words of Andra Day, and I felt the power of the moment then, but it feels almost as if we made this for the somber but momentous day that is January 20th, 2021.

Together, we will “Rise up”.

- Jordan

On Ice Perspectives is made possible through Patreon. Thank you for your support!

Music: "Rise Up" by @AndraDayMusic

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[nervousbabbs]

I wrote her a letter in 2nd grade and she was the only person of the whole class who wrote back! Such an amazing, kind woman!✌😎💞 btw- I'm 30 now so that was along time ago and I still remember it as so cool.

[heyjude_]

She was THE ice skater of my childhood. This is beautiful

[LulaMae]

She may never have won that Olympic gold, but she's a queen and a legend in her own right!

[marshastout]

I was there that day to see her IN PERSON! And she autographed my skate!
The first time I had ever seen a figure skater on TV I was in my late 40's. It was Michelle Kwan, age 12 in 1993.
I could not believe my eyes! She looked like she was flying! I thought to myself "Someday I'd like to try that!"
So....because Michelle Kwan inspired me, I finally began learning to ice skate at age 66, and still at it at 74!!!
Even doing competitions now! THANK YOU, MICHELLE. To me you are GOAT.

[Ultimatecruegirl]

For me there has never been or will be anyone like Michelle Kwan on the ice. The grace and fluidity is so beautiful it never fails to bring tears to my eyes. I would pay all day everyday to watch her skate over any other competitive or pro skater anywhere.

[mmartins]

She is a true legend for sure! She is bigger than any competition, or medal, or any other sort of award. Her skating was pure heart and soul, and it still is until now a days! I get mesmerized every time watch her on ice doing splits and spins. She is pure magic!

[aaronshruby]

I miss her so much!! I can't watch FS these days.... None of the beauty, the lines & attention to detail Michelle had exists in today's skating. It's all skate around, jumping pass, skate around jumping pass, insignificant step sequence, jumping pass & done!!

[blackamethyst]

First of all, I have been watching her since I was like 12 years old. I'm 37 years old now and she is still as graceful and poise as she was when she was 16 years old. Truly, my all-time favorite figure skater! If you want to see something beautiful, search Michelle Kwan and Fields of Gold...you'll be in tears!!!

[TheWesBradshaw]

I see Michelle Kwan, I click it, I like it... simple. ❤️

[lindamcgorman]

I know the skaters coming up today can do things in the ice that Michelle never did, but no one will ever take her place for me!!! She will always be my favorite💕💕

[wildrootvnam]

I watched her skate years ago and it's just beautiful to watch all over again. A combat veteran who loves ice skating? Weird but oh so true. Somehow Michelle's ice skating makes everything that's bad go away for a while. Thank you and God bless you Michelle Kwan.

[brianstuttle]

loved her in the 90s and still do. She will always be my favorite figure skater of all time

[desireeishope]

Michelle Kw an is synonymous with more than her medals and her skating ability. She is more than not winning gold at two separate Olympics but winning a silver and bronze medals. What makes her great is her honor, her integrity, her endurance, her perseverance and her quest on her voyage through Figure Skating to actually connect with her audience so we could live vicariously through each time she skated. She never forgot her humility, her grace, her love of people and how she handled defeat was more amazing than winning. No one will ever give to her sport or life what Michelle Kwan gave all of the years she dedicated her life to skating.

[susanlee]

what a beautiful person she is, olympic gold in heart soul and mind and character...she is my idol though younger than me...I grew up watching all her competitions..best decorated female skater and best Asian skater over anyone else! she doesn't need a gold to be golden....saavy, girl next door and highly educated!

[lindseyseitz]

Michelle is a beautiful person and skater. I never tire of watching her, and she was an inspiration to me as a competitive skater. I still have her autograph that she gave to my now deceased mom when my mom when to NYC for a USFSA summit. Love you, Michelle!

[stonew]

Best skater to ever grace the ice without winning an Olympic gold medal. She deserved it . . . .

[mamaccarlson]

Thank you for posting this! I miss Michelle’s skating! The grace, the flow, the lines, the movements! There just isn’t anyone who can match her elegance on the ice!

[hdyu]

Wow still beautiful and emotive. She always was an amazing artist.

[lonestarlaurel]

WoW 🥰🥳🎶. I recall loving Michelle Kwan’s skating and following her competitive career closely years ago. It’s a joy to see her beautiful skating again, that she still “has it”, and appears happy and healthy today. Amazing photography. Thank you 🥰

[deesee]

Michelle's skating is a gift, and this dynamic capture that you'll only see on this channel is so special. She's a champion who is no longer competitive and has nothing to prove, but these projects with you show us something she can only express with skating. I love that it's a part of her life (again? still?) and that she's sharing it with us. I'll take her joy and expression with her beautiful edges and artistry over a competitive program "jam packed with elements." Thank you!