About Us

KIDS' QUESTIONS

June/July 2008

June/July 2008

Kids' Questions with Mirai Nagasu

Mirai Nagasu enjoyed a stellar 2007-08 campaign, in which she won the U.S. senior ladies title thanks to a spectacular, record-breaking short program. The 15-year-old from Arcadia, Calif., won both her Junior Grand Prix events and the Junior Grand Prix Final. She placed third at the World Junior Championships. When she's not on the ice, Mirai enjoys reading, hanging out with friends and eating at her parents' restaurant.

What was your favorite competition outside of the United States and what made it so special?
Georgina Oliveira, 16 • Ludlow, Mass.

Mirai: Each competition has its own special memory but my favorite competitions are always in Japan. I love everything about Japan. Much of my family lives there and so getting to see them is always a treat. The fans are supportive, which makes going there so enjoyable.

Who is your best friend? Are you friends with Caroline Zhang?
Bonnie Weinberg, 12 • Sterling

Mirai Nagasu
Photo by Paul Harvath
Mirai: At Arcadia High School, I have many best friends. I also have friends at the rink, so I have double the amount of friends than a regular person has. I owe it to my friends for keeping me from getting a big head and helping me believe in myself. Because I go to public school, however, I only get to skate in the early morning and don't often get to see friends like Caroline. Also, I live far away from her, but we do have fun talking when we do see each other.

I saw you skate at the U.S. Championships on TV. You had really pretty costumes; where do you get them and how long did it take to make them?
Lily Joy Moritz, 12 • Austerlitz, N.Y.

Mirai: I'm glad you like my costumes. Thank you. Just like most of the other skaters, I have my dresses custom-made, and it depends on the dressmaker on how much time they need to make the dress.

What was it like at the U.S. Championships? Did it ever get annoying having all of the cameras around? Were you nervous competing in front of all those people? What was the experience like?
Anna Hal, 13 • Lake Placid

Mirai: I've competed at the U.S. Championships twice, and I have to say that it's my favorite competition. It's busy, full of excitement and hard work gets rewarded there. Nerves are something I will never be able to get rid of. I always get nervous because skating is something I always want to do my best. The cameras sometimes make me feel like I can never make a mistake, which makes me nervous. Most of the time, however, I am so focused that I don't pay attention to them. Each competition is like a blessing because I know and appreciate the experience they give me. Although I dislike the nerves, each competition feeds me more knowledge and makes me better. Each competition lets me know myself better and what I have to do to make each moment on the ice worthwhile.

There's a video on YouTube of you practicing the triple Axel. Do you plan on using it in competition anytime soon?
Emily Celox, 13 • New York City

Mirai: Hopefully sometime soon in my skating career I would like to add the triple Axel to my vocabulary, but right now learning how to rotate it is my first priority.

What is your typical day like?
Silvia Crepaz, 15 • Italy

Mirai: Quite honestly, a mess. I wake up at 5 each morning and rush to the rink (30 minutes away) by 6. I have a lesson for 30 minutes, and then use the rest of the time to do my “own thing.” After two hours of training, I rush from the rink back toward my city to make it to school. There, I take a full courseload of classes; I end school by 3 p.m. Of course, I can't live without my parents' yummy cooking every day, so after school I eat at their restaurant. Afterward, I spend the rest of the day doing homework and make-up work because I frequently miss school for skating shows. Twice a week, I take time to go to a ballet studio across the street from my parents' restaurant. After I finish homework, I go to sleep and a new day starts again.

Do you ever get nervous before you compete? If not, how did you become such a good competitor?
Laura DiPaolo, 12 • Chadds Ford, Pa.

Nerves are the fuel that I use to get me motivated to compete, but when I steer my emotions in the wrong way by letting doubt creep in, my nerves also follow. Each competition gives me a little more of the experience and knowledge I need to keep going down the path to becoming a good competitor.

Have you had any embarrassing or crazy skating moments?
Elizabeth Brown, 15 • Ft. Myers, Fla.

Mirai: Since I started competing internationally last year, the embarrassing and crazy moments have continuously popped out of nowhere. Most of the time, they are not on the ice but those happen, too. On my first international flight to Germany, I fainted in the aisle because I was so nervous going to my first international event. I then proceeded to lose my passport there. Oops. I think of the bright side, though. These moments are the ones that I'll always remember.

What do you like about your coach Charlene Wong? Does she make you work hard?
Jill Kerr, 14 • San Antonio

Mirai: What I like about Charlene is that she knows how to guide me. She knows me well and can bring out the best in my ability. She always encourages me to work hard, which can be in the form of a slap in the face (not literally). She is a definite force behind my skating.

When you are skating in shows, who do you hang out with the most?
Teresa Campbell, 16 • Seattle, Wash.

Mirai: I have just recently began skating in shows with top-name athletes such as Johnny Weir, Evan Lysacek and Kimmie Meissner. Lucky for me, all of the athletes have been really nice to me, and I really appreciate their kindness.


What is your favorite...

Musical group?

I love to listen to all kinds of music. From the oldies, I like to listen to Queen, and I also listen to hip hop, pop, and J-pop such as Danity Kane, Leona Lewis and Ayumi Hamasaki.

TV show?

I find the drama of America's Next Top Model irresistible. I also like to watch Project Runway because I love fashion and drama.

Place to hang out?

Definitely at school. All of the studying isn't fun, but being with friends is priceless. They keep me from getting a big head from the success, and best of all, they encourage me and always believe in me.

Sport to watch besides skating?

I like to watch basketball even though I don't really understand the rules. Most of the time, I just stare at the basketball players and wonder how they got so tall. Maybe they'll have some tips for me on how to grow.

Food?

Unfortunately, I have a big sweet tooth. I love all kinds of sugar, natural and artificial, but I have to say my most favorite food is from my parents' Japanese cuisine restaurant. DELICIOUS.

Drink?

What has no calories, is fat-free and healthy? That's what I drink... water. Surprisingly, I can't stand the bubbles or the “carbonation” of soda.

Book?

I like reading all kinds of books, but I like realistic fiction and fantasy the most. I absolutely loved reading the Harry Potter series and the Twilight series. One book that has taught me many lessons and has given me inspiration is called My Personal Best by John Wooden.

Movie?

Most of the movies I watch are usually on the plane going to competitions. Filled with action, suspense and romance, I loved the Pirates of the Caribbean series. I also liked watching Alvin and the Chipmunks and Disney's Enchanted. They were predictable, which is exactly what I liked about them.