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- [00:01]
A
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B
Welcome to a special bonus episode of the Run Through. I'm Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue's Beauty Editor.
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C
At Large, and I'm Christian Allaire, Senior fashion and Style Writer for Vogue.
- [02:30]
B
We are so excited to bring you our interview with US Figure skater Ilya AKA the Quad God who just helped the US Team win a gold medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics. I personally have been incredibly influenced by Christian's knowledge Of Ilya, you have long known of his accolades.
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D
I'll say.
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C
Big fan. Big fan. And I've been hardly tuning into the Olympics. Hate to admit that, but for figure skating, I'm all in. And I think America's fallen in love with Ilia this past week. So it's been so refreshing that people are finally on board with him.
- [03:05]
B
I really feel like he is one of those breakout competitors, I'll say. Where there is more chitter chatter about Ilya than I've heard in a while about an individual Olympian, I'll say. And especially for this to be his first Olympics and have so much buzz around him. It was funny for us to be talking to him because we were recording this all remotely during a storm.
- [03:29]
C
Oh, my God, So true.
- [03:31]
B
So we were talking to him from our own homes and looking into his bedroom while we're chatting.
- [03:37]
C
Yeah. It felt so personal and intimate. Even though he was about to embark onto the Olympics. It was such a funny dynamic, I feel.
- [03:45]
B
Right. It was like we were catching him right before he was leaving for the Games, and he was very chill, which is also, now that I'm hearing so much commentary about him while he's skating, is what he's known for, is just being totally relaxed on the ice. And he was just as relaxed in our conversation.
- [04:03]
C
Yes.
- [04:05]
B
Before his highly anticipated Olympic debut, Ilya Malinin became the first figure skater to do a quadruple axel in 2022. And in December, he became the first skater to do seven quad jumps in one program. And I've been hearing a lot of kind of talk during these games about quads while I'm watching other skaters, which can get a little confusing. But through my research, I have found that while there are other versions of quads, like toe, quads is an example. You'll hear a lot of toe quad talk, but Ilya remains the only person who has a quadruple axel in competition. Am I right, Chris?
- [04:39]
C
Joan? Yes, you're correct. And in our chat, he talked a bit about how he perfects the quadruple axel, but not only just the quadruple axel. I really came across Ilya when he started doing his backflips during his skates, which he did during his team skate and won the gold for the Olympics. It's really become his signature move, and I think it's something everyone knows him for now. So he's kind of. His star has risen for that move, which I think is really exciting.
- [05:04]
B
Well, and you taught me that. He doesn't even get credit for.
- [05:09]
C
They are More for style than score. But it's a big talking point now as people are wondering, you know, should the backflip be scored? Because they are not easy to do. He makes them look easy, but they're not well.
- [05:19]
B
And the judges love when the crowd engages. That ends up factoring into their score. And the crowd loves a backflip.
- [05:25]
C
They love a backflip.
- [05:26]
B
At the time of this recording, Ilya is skating in the men's short program. So we don't yet know how he did, but we, of course, are cheering him on.
- [05:35]
C
And on Friday, we'll see Aaliyah again compete in the free skate program. So we still have a lot, lot more to see from him.
- [05:43]
B
Here's our conversation with figure skating superstar Ilya Malonean. Hi, Ilya, we're so excited to speak to you right before you're off to the Olympics. How are you feeling?
- [05:58]
D
I feel great. I honestly, I feel pretty tired because these trainings have been so intense. But that gives me a lot of confidence and just makes me so excited leading up to the Games.
- [06:10]
C
Well, I imagine, like, prepping for the Olympics is a very stressful thing, and obviously a lot goes into it. So what has your preparation been and sort of the lead up to it?
- [06:19]
D
Just kind of thinking about how I want to perform my best. I'm trying not to, you know, give me the unnecessary pressure of the Olympic stage and more, just take it as I would prepare for any other competition. Really, that's just the mindset that I'm going into this year or just any year in general. It's just, you know, no need to overcomplicate things again, this is just another competition, and you really just need to prepare, be prepared, and just be confident in yourself.
- [06:49]
B
Well, and Ilya, as we're going into your first Olympics, it's. I cover beauty for Vogue, so I'm very interested in your kind of even everyday preparation that to you has become so normal, even down to, like, do you touch caffeine?
- [07:03]
D
I'm not a caffeine drinker. I do not drink anything that's caffeine. The only caffeine, I would say, is, like, chocolate. I always eat. I specifically eat one chocolate bar before I get on the ice or compete. It's a Hershey's chocolate.
- [07:19]
B
Well, Christian and I were reviewing so many of your performances over the past week, and I was even watching your. One of your vampire performances, where it's basically saying, like, you know, I sometimes I stay in bed all day because, you know, I hate the light. But I was Thinking like, you've probably never stayed in bed all day. Like, I bet that's absolutely, absolutely not your style.
- [07:40]
D
Maybe, maybe on one weekend. Yes.
- [07:43]
B
Oh, okay.
- [07:45]
D
When I'm not skating or when I have just one, sometimes I'm really tired after the week and I just lay in bed through absolutely nothing all day.
- [07:54]
B
Okay, that's comforting to me that you still, as an Olympian and a champion, let yourself rest.
- [08:01]
C
Take a day.
- [08:01]
B
Take a day.
- [08:03]
D
I'm sure it would be hard to just go seven days straight without training. I feel like I still would want a day in between, at least one day off during the week just to kind of regroup and cool down for a little bit.
- [08:16]
C
Can you walk us through a day, though? When you are training, can you sort of paint a picture of what that looks like? Say, you know, you have a day where you have to work on something. What does that day look like for you?
- [08:26]
D
My day starts off with just getting on the ice at maybe like 8 o' clock in the morning and taking an hour, an hour and a half just to really get comfortable in my skates. And what that looks like is just kind of more like a warmup style of like a practice. So that's where I warm up. How to get, like good ice control and really just get comfortable with my boots and maybe do just a little bit of jumping, but not so much. And it's more just kind of waking up the body and really getting into that, like, training groove. And then I'll have like a two hour break where I eat lunch or, you know, have a little snack. And then another two hours is where I'm more intense and really just kind of get straight to what I need to do or train, what I need for a competition specifically. And that's just like very intense. Running the programs over and over and over, just constantly working on, you know, the stamina, coordination, muscle memory. And then after that go home and eat and do like an interview or two, like this.
- [09:27]
C
Lovely journalist like us, who I'm sure you love speaking to.
- [09:31]
B
Honored to be a part of your day. And for our listeners that may not know, you are known as the quad, because you've become the first skater to do a quadruple axel as of 2022. And recently you became the first skater to do seven quad jumps in one program. What is involved doing a quadruple axel that makes it so hard for the layperson like us?
- [09:54]
D
I mean, it's like I always use this, like, kind of not concept, but like metaphor to explain it to people. Is like, for people that don't skate, just, like, just try to stand up, jump, and do, like one rotation in the air. So, you know, some people may be able to do it, some people may not. But now what you do is you take that, and in that same amount of time, you have to do four revolutions, or in the quad axle case, which is four and a half, then you have to take that, you have to transfer it over to the ice where you're wearing shoes with knives, basically. And then what you do is you have to do that and then landing on one leg, you have to do it. You have to make it so perfect, you have to be able to land it every single time. And you have to go competition in front of people watching and an audience and judges, and you have to nail it with the pressure and the nerves.
- [10:50]
B
Well, and I think that a key part of this that you mentioned in your response is that it's actually four and a half. Because when I watch you doing it to my. You know, to my normie eye, it looks like five, you know, and so it explains why, because it's actually like a four and a half turn, and then you land backwards. Is that right?
- [11:12]
D
The axel jump is the only jump that takes off going forward, so that's why it's considered harder, because you have to do an extra half rotation.
- [11:20]
C
Are you someone who sort of, once you nail something and you get it, you can just keep doing it again? Like, once you get it the first time, are you set?
- [11:29]
D
Usually, yes. It's kind of how figure skating works in general, is once you land it for the first time, you kind of get an understanding of what you need to do now to have it happen again. And what you have to try to do is repeat that kind of motion or muscle memory over and over again. So there's always kind of this period, at least when I skated, where I would land a new jump, and for like, one week, I'd be able to be able to land it occasionally, but then for two, three weeks, I would not land it again because it's like you kind of were doing it on, like, extra energy and maybe adrenaline at that case. So it's more like getting it to a normal. A normal routine, if that makes sense, really, just bringing it to how you would normally do it. And then after those few weeks, once I finally, like, unlocked it, then it's pretty much just integrated to my normal practice routine.
- [12:26]
B
And your parents are. They train you, they coach you. Were they with you at. Whenever you first landed it to witness It.
- [12:34]
D
I don't remember exactly, but they always coach me and they give me strong advice, and I'm just really grateful for them being here for me. Honestly, without them, I don't think I'd be at the level I am right now. It was just such a memorable moment for me learning that Quexo. They originally called me like crazy for thinking of the idea, because no one has done it at the time, and they didn't. They didn't see it. But, you know, my dad has a. It's like a pull harness. So it's kind of a way for him to help, you know, someone get a feel for a jump when they might not necessarily have, you know, the fast jump or, you know, fast rotation. So, like, over time, we would be doing it on this pole harness, and, you know, he would start slowly, slowly seeing that. Oh, I. It's more possible. It's more possible. And then at some point, he was like, he can definitely do it without it, because I'm not even helping him at all. I'm just there, though, after that was when I was like, okay, I feel confident. Maybe, you know, in the next few days, we can try it without.
- [13:35]
B
Well, when I was watching some of your videos, there was. There was lots of conversation about the Malin family. And so we do kind of want to get a. Also a sense of what a day in the life for you is. Even if it's like, you know, waking up, how. How it works out for y'. All. Like, when is it. When are you casual together, and when are you sort of like, on. During a regular day in your training?
- [13:58]
D
I feel like we're just a family 24 7. For me, I don't understand that. I feel like we're all just the same all throughout the day. So it can be like, for example, you know, talking about stuff we want to eat at home, at the rink, or talking about things we need to work on at home. I don't really see that as an issue. To break up those, like, oh, when we're family. Oh, when I'm coaching you, it's. And I'm all integrated into one. It's part of the package.
- [14:27]
C
What do you think is sort of the biggest lesson you've learned from your parents? Because obviously they know a lot about skating. And then on the other side, what do you think you've taught your parents about skating? Because you know a lot about skating, too.
- [14:38]
D
You know, trust yourself. And also taking things one step at a time, that's something really important that they always mention, especially before every competition, they say, you know, take things one step at a time. You know, don't think too much ahead. And that really kind of also works with life as well. And it really helps me kind of figure out what I want to do in my life is just keeping things, you know, nice and taking things, you know, this is done now. Let's go to the next step then. The next step. But I think I might teach them that sometimes I'm not afraid to, you know, go my own way. And maybe before, they've always wanted to, you know, be. Be like everyone else, but I'm. I'm completely different. I feel like I want to just be the most different person from, you know, a group. Like, you could easily point me out in a group that's kind of the person I like to be, and they're starting to notice that. And really kind of we collaborate a lot with how we are on the ice. So of course, I have the kind of ideas that I want, whether it landing a new type of jump or doing something with a different kind of music that no one has skated to. And they always give their input, like, oh, this is what's going to happen, or this is something that you might need to do in order to get that new jump. So it's really just kind of a collaboration. And honestly, I enjoy that process.
- [16:05]
C
I do think there's sort of a fearlessness to your skating. I was watching. I think it's called malagania. Is that what it's called? From 2024 that you did? And I love that you sort of just lean into the theatrics, and you kind of really just let yourself be lost in the performance. And that's not something every skater does. So how did you sort of embody that fearlessness when you get on the ice, do you mentally have to train yourself to just. Just go with it? Is it something you do actively just enjoying the.
- [16:37]
D
Like, the program itself is really just not worrying specifically about what you have to do, but really just trying to enjoy every moment is. That's why we do these programs so much, because that's what we're going to be doing for basically the rest of the year. So we want to get really comfortable. But also, if it's more like a robot doing tasks, then it's not necessarily going to be, you know, pleasing for people to watch. So it's more fun that you can kind of just let everything go and really just try to enjoy every single moment. But it's also, you know, practicing whether that be you skating to, like, a Spanish program like I did there, and it's like, you really have to embrace that character. And what helps me most is trying to envision kind of a concept around it. So I envision myself in that program being like a bullfighter. And so that's kind of the whole concept around that program is you have to be, you know, fearless, because you're going against the bull, pretty much. So it's always kind of ties in with the concept of the program, but also how you're taught and also with your confidence. If you're not necessarily confident on the ice, you may not be the best that you can perform. So if you're just, you know, feel confident about what you're doing and what you do, you could kind of just let it go and let the muscle memory take over, and you can express yourself more well.
- [17:56]
B
And thinking about expressing yourself. We were talking about how, traditionally, when we're looking at, like, let's say, like, a female skater, we've got glitter, we've got sparkles, we've got a lot of, like, sort of like, catch the light beauty moments. For you, it's maybe like, how are you expressing yourself in. People are kind of obsessed with your hair. We've been talking about that. How do you prepare yourself for these moments? We will get to the fashion, because we're very interested, but from the neck up. From the neck up, what are we working with?
- [18:28]
D
No, I feel like it's just part of. It's just being you. And I think this also applies to female skaters as well. It's like whatever they want to do and just how they want to present themselves is how you really get kind of that known for. I mean, I really don't do much with my hair, but somehow people really like it. And that's just kind of an interesting fact. Like, okay. It's like. I mean, it's okay, but I know I don't really do much with hair or makeup or anything. It's just kind of giving a natural look and just kind of feeling confident with that look. I think that's the most important is just really feeling good of how you are. And that might apply to female skaters as well. You know, they might feel good with a little bit glitter. They might feel. Looking a little more natural. They might feel good with anything else. So it's, you know, it's up. It's all personal preference. And that's why I kind of like this sport. It's so free, and I want it to be so much more open and diverse and really just let people show their personalities that are included with, you know, the programs.
- [19:31]
C
The run through. We'll be back in a moment.
- [19:43]
E
Wired has always put a microscope on the people, power and forces shaping our world. Uncanny Valley brings that same fearless reporting straight to your feedback. Is DOGE finally over? Will AI actually democratize American healthcare? Each week, Wired journalists from across the newsroom are going to unpack where politics, technology, and Silicon Valley collide. From conversations with tech leaders across Silicon Valley, Internet fandom investigations, and government crackdowns on rigged gambling, we're taking you all over the news cycle, going straight inside the priorities, pressures and power plays driving today's biggest decisions. Uncanny Valley tackles the questions keeping you up at night and helps make sense of the future taking shape right now. Listen to new episodes every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts.
- [20:36]
C
I definitely want to talk about fashion, but one more thing before we move on to that is I want to talk about your music choices and your love of music, because that's something that really stands out to me. In your skates is you've done classical music, you've done rap, you've done things in between. And what are some of your musical interests? And how do you pick a song for a skate?
- [21:00]
D
The process for most skaters is they find a concept that they want to do or an idea, but it can really vary. For me personally, I like to pick music that gives me a different style from what I've done in previous years, but also something that I really see a vision of me performing well. I mean, most of the time I really like to do things, like I said, completely different, outside the box, just being as unique as possible. So a lot of the times I go with music that really just speaks to me and I'll listen to music over and over and over and I'll get goosebumps if I really like the song. And it's part of that that gives me like, oh, listening to this music, I feel an inspiration or I feel a concept involved. So it's like coming up with an idea with the music that you listen to and then bringing it, bringing it up to a choreographer, let's say, or, you know, just bringing the idea up to my coaches saying, I have this idea, you know, for example, I want to skate to rap this year because I feel like it fits really good with this, you know, warrior type of music. And, you know, they'll always agree or disagree or say their thoughts. And honestly, I enjoy it a lot. But I found out that a lot of skaters don't get that choice that to choose their own music because I'm not sure the reasons why, but I feel like if you're able to choose your own music, you will feel much more comfortable skating with music that you like versus music that you don't like. Or just even how you express yourself, like, oh, I have to program again, or you're going to love the music so much that you're just going to fully embrace it.
- [22:36]
B
Well, and in your recent competition, you even created your own music because you did the voiceover of. I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but sort of the idea of your future self speaking to you in that moment and where did you. How did that entire concept come to be?
- [22:53]
D
On the music pieces with my parents and my choreographer and I worked together to find those pieces. But, you know, during making the program, my mom had the idea of maybe adding a voiceover during it. Or, you know, I didn't think she said my voice necessarily so, but she was supposed to tell me when we left to get the program done, but I guess she didn't. So I came up with the idea on my own while I was there saying, oh, we should add a voiceover to it. And I think maybe adding my voice be cool. So it's just funny to hear that she was thinking the exact same thing that I thought. And then after that, of course, we agreed and we kind of played around a little bit. And with the choreographer, Shaelyn Bourne, I feel like is one of the best choreographers in the skating business. It's my favorite choreographer to watch, even other skaters who do programs with her, but also just how I move myself. And she really takes everything out of you to give you as much movement as she can.
- [23:56]
C
Yeah, I know you can't obviously share any what you're going to be doing at the Olympics, but I'm curious if there's any sounds or any musical influences you're inspired by at the moment or maybe down the line you would love to incorporate into a skateboard for the Olympics.
- [24:12]
D
We stick to the same routine that we've had throughout the whole season. So I doubt that I would have to change it last minute because again, it's also like a week left. So it's kind of what we've trained the whole year to do. So usually people like to stick with one program throughout the season or they'll bring back a previous program that they've done in previous years just because it's so natural and more comfortable to skate. But of course, when we think about Future years. There's so many different ideas that I have in mind, and honestly, one of them might be I want to try to actually make my own music, like the music itself and, you know, instruments or maybe, you know, a rap program. Who knows? I might get inspired by that. But just in general, just, I always try to find ways and things to do. So it's going to be a fun process. I'm excited.
- [24:59]
C
That would be a total flex to, like, not only skate, but, like, to your own music that you composed. Wow, that'd be sick.
- [25:06]
D
Maybe. I mean, we'll see. There's a lot of ideas that I have in mind after, especially after these Olympics, of what I want to do and what will probably be into the next segment, which is, like, modeling, acting, maybe even a fashion designer as well. So there's a lot of things that I kind of want to do that feel like are more creative. And my thinking is always to be as creative, as unique as possible.
- [25:32]
B
Well, and that's a great segue into our fashion question. Christian.
- [25:35]
C
I know. I'm burning to ask these questions, because I am. Well, first of all, I'm Canadian, so I've always been obsessed with skating outfits, particularly. It's ingrained in our culture. And I really love your approach to what you wear for your skates, because I think it nods to sort of the traditional glamour of ice skating, but it also feels really unexpected and contemporary and modern. And I've read that you sort of have a. You play a big part in designing your outfits. Is that true? Is that something you enjoy doing a big part?
- [26:06]
D
Because, I mean, I'm kind of the one wearing the costume and skating in it. So I feel like I would. Again, it's a similar reason that I would have to love it in order to feel good on the ice. And that's something that's kind of important in there. But it's always a collaboration between, you know, me, my coaches, my choreographer, and the costume designer. So we all kind of get an agreement. Like, the choreographer will send her, say, like, this is the music. This is the concept behind the program. What is the concept? Or something that you can come up with. And then we get some rough sketches, and we say, oh, we like this idea, or maybe we can change it. Then we see it through photos, kind of how it looks. And then, of course, we get mailed the final result, and then we try it out. And, you know, if we need to change things, you know, it's kind of inconvenient that my costume designer is in Japan. So we kind of have to go through that hassle of sending it here and back. But it's also a fun experience, you know, just getting the costume and kind of being excited. Oh, let's open the package. Let's see what it is. I feel like that's what I love. And again, bringing it on the ice is just so much completely different. It's really how you feel in person.
- [27:16]
B
What have been some of your favorite looks over the past few years that you've been working together?
- [27:21]
D
I would say definitely my favorite costumes are the ones from this year. I feel like they're always the next step because I've also had a little bit of a mindset change. Originally, I was always going for just comfort and, you know, practicality, but now I'm really like, okay, you know, I can sacrifice a little bit of that for an extra, you know, pizzazz or an extra kind of, you know, unique look, is how I can explain it.
- [27:49]
C
I'm curious about the balance of a. You want to wear something that's beautiful and striking and that a lot of people excited to see on the ice, but it also has to function. Like, you have to be able to do a quad. You got to do your famous back flips, and obviously it needs to move with you. So what are the more technical details that you look for in an outfit?
- [28:10]
D
Again, I want. In the future, I want to be able to design my own costumes and clothes in general. So I feel like something that I would probably look for is, like, how stretchy the fabric is. It needs to be comfortable so it can move in different ways. But also having something that's a very light fabric is also something important so that we can. We don't feel like there's 20 pounds of material on us when we're skating. And that sometimes can affect people. Or even with the stones that they add is also, you know, keeping them as light as possible, but still having enough to really show that. So it's. It's a process where finding that balance of making it look good but also comfortable enough or, you know, again, practical enough to be able to move and do your thing in.
- [28:55]
B
And there are a couple of competitions where you're wearing straight up denim on the ice, but I imagine I was.
- [29:00]
C
Gonna say that too.
- [29:01]
B
Thank you. It's like, is it just the stretchiest denim? The stretchies thinnest. Like, what. How. How are you doing those moves in jeans?
- [29:10]
D
They're probably at shows, so they're kind of a. Not really as big, but they're more about A performing aspect, as opposed to competitions are really like, you have to be at your aame. You have to land everything as perfect as you can. While shows are kind of more like, oh, it's kind of just fun to, you know, skate and really just bring out this personality. And I think a lot of for what I do at shows is I kind of like to bring in just some normal street clothes because I feel like that can still say a message as well. And you know, sometimes the costume is not all that the message says. You can also show it with the program, with the music, the choreography. So that's something that's all kind of thought together. And I mean, yeah, usually I find the stretchiest jeans or, you know, I usually like skate baggy because that's also very practical. It doesn't get in the way as much.
- [30:05]
C
The run through will be back in a moment.
- [30:19]
F
You come to the New Yorker Radio Hour for conversations that go deeper with people you really want to hear from, whether it's Bruce Springsteen or, or Questlove or Olivia Rodrigo, Liz Cheney or the godfather of artificial intelligence, Geoffrey Hinton, or some of my extraordinarily well informed colleagues at the New Yorker. So join us every week on the New Yorker Radio Hour wherever you listen to podcasts.
- [30:47]
C
We were curious, sort of off the ice, like, let's say you have a day off. We want to know what's in your wardrobe, sort of like what are the fashion things you're interested in? Just personally, like on a day off in your closet, what are you wearing?
- [31:02]
D
Day off is a lot of the time just some, like comfy clothes. And a lot of the times, like even just going out, when I go outside, I like to. I'm more of a street person. So I like very like baggy kind of, you know, hoodies or, you know, kind of chunky shoes or something like that. But a lot of times, maybe for like special events, I like to switch it up. I can go for a classic look. It's very like classic and simple. Or go for a crazy look that can be some, like wide, you know, trousers or even like a long skirt dress or, you know, really just coming up with a crazy outfit, you know, specifically for like banquets or, you know, before I compete on the ice is kind of that pre game, you know, showing where I just like to dress up because I feel like it's very fun.
- [31:53]
B
Well, and where is your fashion interest coming from? Do you have style icons or people that you look up to or look to for inspiration?
- [32:02]
D
Being into fashion is more recently for me. So I would say maybe this is like my second year of being into fashion. And so I'm not the most, I guess, experienced. But my favorite influencer is Wisdom Kane.
- [32:16]
C
Oh, he's the best.
- [32:17]
D
He's the best. And I was surprised that he dresses himself for every event. So that's. I feel like that's really cool. And, you know, I'm. There's a lot of, like, my TikTok page and Instagram are full of just like, you know, fashion influencers. And I can't even. There's so many of them, I can't even remember all their, like, names or profiles. But they all have, you know, their own styles and always have tips on fashion as well. So I feel like that's what I'm slowly trying to pick up as well.
- [32:43]
C
I love that. Have you ever. I mean, I think I'm deep in figure skating, TikTok, because I've seen, you know, fan edits of your skates and have you come up on your own for you page.
- [32:55]
D
This day at least, you know, one every 10 scrolls, there's going to be me in an edit. I'm like, okay, I want to. I want to. I want to just watch the funny TikToks. Okay. I don't want any of me anymore.
- [33:05]
C
You don't want to see yourself?
- [33:07]
D
No. Especially before the Games.
- [33:09]
C
Well, I was going to ask you too. I mean, it's not like you have a bunch of time because you're also in school. So not only are you training for the Olympics, not only are you perfecting your craft, you're also studying. I read civil engineering with a focus on architecture. Is that correct?
- [33:26]
D
Now I'm not taking any this semester because of Olympics. So it was like I wanted to keep something on the side to keep me interested while I was skating so I have something to distract me and keep my mind off of skating. But now I feel like I have so many ideas that I'll be able to keep myself distracted other ways.
- [33:46]
B
As you're watching your DIY videos and very crafty things, do you do anything crafty yourself? Right now?
- [33:53]
D
I watch a video and I get inspired, but then I actually don't do anything about it because either I have to go practice or kind of get distracted. Something else. So I have many ideas, but it's very rarely that I actually, you know, get to do them. So, I mean, I like to do origami, so I like to kind of make things out of paper. I like to have ideas of making, you know, like, weapons and, like, very, very interesting stuff, or even building my own car. I feel like there's really just random thoughts that I have, and I feel like it describes me as a personality where I'm just creative and really thoughtful.
- [34:33]
C
I read that you said your biggest competition is yourself, which I find interesting. And so, heading into the Winter Olympics, how do you think you're gonna stay in a good mental space so that you're not your own enemy?
- [34:45]
D
Really finding the reasons why I'm there in the first place. And one of them is, of course, this is part of your routine. This is, you know, something that you have to do. And it's, again, just a normal competition. It's just another competition. You can't go into it thinking that it's a huge, massive event, which could put some unnecessary pressure, but also just trying to really have fun with the event and, you know, spend every day that I'm not competing just trying to, you know, satisfy. Satisfy myself. Whether that be, you know, let's go explore Milan or. Or let's go shopping in Milan for clothes. That's one thing that I'm definitely going to be doing. So it's really just, you know, keeping my mind busy and not really thinking about the big deal of the Olympics.
- [35:29]
C
Do you have any spots you want to hit in Milan? Any stores?
- [35:34]
D
I'm a big Zara person. I like a lot of their clothes. They're pretty decent in price, but they're also kind of up to date with the latest fashion and kind of all those modern pieces, so I like to do that. But I'm also a pretty big designer person, so I really like a range from Louis Vuitton is probably one of my favorites. But it can go from there to Dior, can go as well to Japanese brands like issey Miyake or Y3. It's really all over the place again. I like to try out many different styles and see what fits me.
- [36:09]
B
Great choices.
- [36:10]
C
Yeah, really, they need to get you at their shows. Front row, Runway.
- [36:13]
B
I was about to say, when you have the time, they'll be happy to have you. Front row, I'm sure. I also want to know. Ilya, as we're gazing into your room, I see some cat. Some cat. Sort of like a cat. Tree, a little cat. What's going on with your cats? How many cats do you have? What kind of cats? What are their names?
- [36:33]
D
Yeah, I have two cats. They're black and white rag dolls, and their names are Misty for the black one and Mew Mew for the white one.
- [36:42]
B
Mew Mew.
- [36:44]
C
Okay, there we go.
- [36:45]
D
It's part of the brand cat name.
- [36:49]
C
Wow. Well, we do doge here, but if we ever do a cat edition of that, we should get them on the COVID Yes.
- [36:55]
D
Get it bruffy.
- [36:57]
B
Curious. As we're sort of coming up to the Olympics for you and we have so much figure skating on the mind, what are your three words that you can describe, what to expect from you for this season?
- [37:12]
D
Fearless. Unique. Open minded.
- [37:16]
C
Ooh, I like all of those words.
- [37:17]
B
I like them all, too.
- [37:19]
C
That's the perfect note to wrap. And now I'm excited. So thank you so much. This was so great to hear. Sort of the preparation that goes into everything. And we're really going to be cheering you on when you head over.
- [37:29]
B
I know. Ilya, it was so nice to talk to you. Thank you so much for making so much time for us. When you're really down to the wire.
- [37:35]
D
Too, it's such an honor. I mean, I couldn't turn this down. I feel like such a good opportunity just inspires me for the future.
- [37:54]
B
That's it for the episode today.
- [37:55]
A
Bye.
- [38:00]
D
The Run through with Vogue is produced.
- [38:01]
E
By Chelsea Daniel, Alex DePalma and Catherine Millsop. It's engineered by Pran Bandy and James Yost.
- [38:07]
D
It is mixed by Mike Kutchman.
- [38:16]
B
This week on the political scene. From the New Yorker, Trump's rupture in the world order. Europe caught between two adversarial great powers that's basically dialing back the clock to not only Pre World War II, but really it's a pre 20th century view of the world. And I would say it's a world of permanent insecurity that we're looking at. Join me, Evan Osnos and my colleagues Jane Mayer and Susan Glasser every Friday on the political scene. Available wherever you get your podcasts.
- [38:54]
D
From prx.