Pop Star on Ice

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weir_coinslot_censoredThe much-anticipated ‘Be Good Johnny Weir,’ an eight-part series documenting Weir’s preparation for the US Figure Skating Nationals, begins tonight at 10:30 PM on the Sundance Channel (check out the episode guide for encore performances in the case you miss it). The series is a continuation of the 90-minute documentary ‘Pop Star on Ice,’ produced and directed by James Pellerito and David Barba, that we covered at New York’s LGBT film festival NewFest in June (additional photos from the after party are here). There’s no suspense if Weir will make the Olympic team—the USFSA announced yesterday that Weir, along with nemesis Evan Lysacek and Jeremy Abbott, will represent the US in Vancouver—but we look forward to seeing Weir work toward redeeming himself after a disappointing 5th place finish in the 2006 Olympics. But we wonder if the flirty flamboyance portrayed in the video excerpts we’ve seen thus far are suggesting that this is also documenting his coming out. To date, Weir has not confirmed—verbally, that is—his sexuality. In any event, we trust his antics prancing around half-naked (yes, that’s his badonkadonk to the left) will keep the audience entertained.

Check out the video teasers (and Johnny’s coin slot) after the jump.

Richie Rich (left)

Richie Rich (left)

That’s a wrap - Filmmakers and fans joined Olympic ice skater Johnny Weir, fashion provacateur Richie Rich and other movers and shakers at The Promenade to celebrate the week-long NewFest film festival following the awards ceremony and screening of “Pop Star on Ice.”

Photos by SMHayhurst.

Johnny Weir (2nd from right)

Johnny Weir (2nd from right)

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Nathan Manske of imfromdriftwood.com (right)

Nathan Manske of imfromdriftwood.com (right)

Basil Tsiokos (2nd from right)

Basil Tsiokos (2nd from right)

MORE PHOTOS AFTER THE JUMP!

Ice skating superstar Johnny Weir twirled into New York last night for NewFest’s final screening, Pop Star on Ice directed and produced by David Barba and James Pellerito. Sporting a wide hawk (a sculpted super mullet, perhaps?) the well-manicured aesthete certainly has come a long way from where he started—a young teen skating in the frozen cornfields behind his rural Coatesville, Pennsylvania home where his talent almost went unrecognized by his parents. “He just looked like a gangly twelve-year-old with legs up to his armpits,” his mother said in the documentary.

And now, he’s famous. Although in a moment of humility during a visit to his old elementary school he admitted “I’m not like Britney Spears famous.” (James Pellerito, in a gentle ribbing during the Q&A following the film, explained that “we started calling him HRH, and we never had a problem after that.”) And he’s pretty. “I will fight to the death to be pretty,” he declares. Thanks to his bedazzled costumes created by Stephanie Handler and the Laura Mercier concealer that he revealed he uses, his sparkle won’t tarnish anytime soon.

"Pop Star on Ice" Director/Producer David Barba, Johny Weir, and "Pop Star on Ice" Director/Producer James Pellerito

"Pop Star on Ice" Director/Producer David Barba, Johny Weir, and "Pop Star on Ice" Director/Producer James Pellerito

Post-screening Q&A with "Pop Star on Ice" Director/Producers David Barba and James Pellerito, Paris Childers, Johnny Weir, and NewFest Documentary Programmer Cameron Yates

Post-screening Q&A with "Pop Star on Ice" Director/Producers David Barba and James Pellerito, Paris Childers, Johnny Weir, and NewFest Documentary Programmer Cameron Yates

The Johnny Weir Jacket

The Johnny Weir Jacket

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP (MORE PHOTOS, TOO)!