why do people stereotype Apolo?

[Lori]

I'm sure those centering exercises Dave gave him contributed to the 'game face' that we all know and love when he competes. ;D

[elsa]

daisymomma said:

I hate to bring this up since I have before but is it possible he is still with Allison and they are just keeping it very low key and on the down low so no one finds out.

Uhhh - I can't resist but I'm trying to tread ever so lightly -- It's my understand this is a touchy subject and has been dealt with so much here in the past that maybe it's just a few of us newbies who missed the memo or something on how to handle this subject!

Anyways, never one to be able to 100% behave, here goes: I think Allison went to Apolo's last tour date in Atlantic City, July 6, extremely bedecked and bedazzled (gold lame' mini-skirt, tons of bracelets, very tan (!), and walked in with great aplomb -- and John Schaeffer seemed to know her very well and be extremely fond/proud of her and he took pictures of her with Julianne's boyfriend Zack (of all peculiar things, lol.)

Now, that doesn't really have to mean anything other than she's a good friend of Apolo's, of like 5 years, and they work together for their mutual coach John (promoting his website/products), and will be living and training together in SLC (well, living in the same city - I doubt the same house, lol.) But this appearance certainly suggests they don't hate each other. I've prob'ly said enough. This is me from now on:

[tdav]

Well, I think we all can agree that basically in our society today, if a guy doesn't have a girlfriend (for awhile) is marked as gay. So this is probably a big contribution to these opinions about Apolo. But, in my opinion, I don't think he is. And since we've all heard about his schedule and training for the Olympics all these years, being the reason he isn't in a relationship, maybe we'll just have to wait until after 2010 to see where his dating life leads.

[guest1]

Well, here another subject that is probably going to be upsetting to people, but...maybe one of the reason Apolo is not "going" for Julianne is because of her childish behavior during thier rehersals. I watch the video on this site from the seattle station and saw more of the kicking and hitting , and yelling that she was doing to A. I know some of it was also shown during the show, but I think that might have been the tip of the iceberg regarding that behavior.. I can't believe A was always so thrilled over being hit and kicked all the time. I know I wouldn't be. I also saw another interview of his (I think this was also the Seattle station ),where he said J was not the sweet person we saw on the show. I don't know maybe I am wrong, but it is an opinion. I like J and think she is beautiful and talented, but I LOOOOOve Apolo tremendously!!!!! Anyway speaking of AB, she is a very pretty girl and they must still have some feelings for each other they were together for a long time, and have a bond, even if it
may only be friendship now. That's my story and I am not trying to offend or make anyone angry, so tread on me lightly.

[elsa]

Thanks for the post, guest1, but I truly believe Julianne wasn't physically abusive to Apolo - just playful. I even think they staged some of that -- there's a clip during a rehearsal thing where she slaps him (with a grin on her face) but you can clearly see him dodge her by quite a few inches. Also, during the Swing practice, she's pulling him along by his ear - but it's clearly for the camera.

One time, I don't know if it was an live interview on in print, Julianne said that Apolo sometimes showed up so "beat up" from his training for his sport, she just couldn't "go there" (meaning make him work hard.) Oh and another time, in a quick little segment on the show, Joey Fatone was holding Apolo upside down, and Julianne grabbed Apolo's foot and told Joey to be careful with him.

I think she cared about him a lot and worried about his health and safety And as Apolo said, when she was yelling, it was hard to take her seriously. I really think, as odd as it might seem, that she had a "light" joyful way of yelling and play-kicking and all that, that, if anything, took pressure OFF of Apolo, while getting her point across. Does that make sense? Like o.k. I'm yelling about this so you can laugh or you can try harder - but I'm not gonna get tense and uptight about it, I'm gonna let it out! Well, I didn't describe that very well because I don't know how to, but I really didn't sense that he felt intimidated or aggravated by her - by himself maybe sometimes - but not by her - at least not often (maybe very early days.) They seemed extremely close by the end -- remember when she looked tired or down, in the "green room" at GMA, and he reached back and patted her affectionately on her leg. And like they both said, I believe, they ended the season as very good, even life-long friends.

Well, JMHO, and I have absolutely nothing against Allison. I'd be delighted to hear they were still close. I don't see how ANYbody can help but love Apolo.

[guest]

:-[IMO Apolo is just a super human being. Forget his looks, his talent(s), and just look at the way he conducts himself in public and his devotion to friends and family. He can certainly look back at any situation and have nothing to be embarrassed about or not be proud of because of the way he treated people. It is sad that if he and Allison are in love and he were to acknowledge that he is with her….he knows that she will have to pay the price at a time in her life when she too is trying to achieve the same goals he is. He trains with her and sees on a daily basis how hard she works and I’m sure he is wanting nothing but the best for her. If he keeps it a secret and says I’m not dating, then people start to speculate that he is gay. If he is looking for someone that is independent, intelligent, and very goal oriented……and brunette….well…that would be Allison…so I do hope they are together…that she is his life partner…he deserves to have someone so perfect for him. You can tell by what she says in her interviews that she loves him so much and is very supportive of everything he does. That’s the kind of woman I want for Apolo. I think it is very telling when you look at the photos from Mike Kooreman’s wedding…a very private event….and the two look very intimate with each other. It is only when they know they are in a public situation that they are very careful not to show affection. When I view the Nationals 07 competition that is on youtube…I just think it is so sweet the way he looks so happy for her as they take the podium….and the shot where he is in the heat box and he is bending over looking silly…that is Allison and Tina he is making fun of because they were having trouble finding the right pose while taking their awards photo. And how cool is that that they both share the same championship title. I say we get behind Apolo and accept the significant others in his life…these are the people he will need with him on his journey to 2010. I admire him more for protecting and holding dear the most intimate part of his life. We can’t ask that he give us everything. Bless his heart, he works so hard to please everybody. I mean, hey girls, we may have a true romance story that we’re missing out on because we want what we want for Apolo.

[guest10000]

guest1 said:

Well, here another subject that is probably going to be upsetting to people, but...maybe one of the reason Apolo is not "going" for Julianne is because of her childish behavior during thier rehersals. I watch the video on this site from the seattle station and saw more of the kicking and hitting , and yelling that she was doing to A. I know some of it was also shown during the show, but I think that might have been the tip of the iceberg regarding that behavior.. I can't believe A was always so thrilled over being hit and kicked all the time. I know I wouldn't be. I also saw another interview of his (I think this was also the Seattle station ),where he said J was not the sweet person we saw on the show. I don't know maybe I am wrong, but it is an opinion. I like J and think she is beautiful and talented, but I LOOOOOve Apolo tremendously!!!!! Anyway speaking of AB, she is a very pretty girl and they must still have some feelings for each other they were together for a long time, and have a bond, even if it
may only be friendship now. That's my story and I am not trying to offend or make anyone angry, so tread on me lightly.

I could not agree more regarding Julianne's immaturity. I remember one episode of DWTS where she butted into Apolo's interview so often, he simply stopped talking. He look very aggravted. It simply blows my mind why people won't let this die, and why people don't believe Apolo when he says he is single. I remember reading an article where Apolo told his dad that he wasn't serioius about Allison Baver, also. People won't let that die either. Why is it so hard to believe that, at 25, Apolo might want to date lots of girls and enjoy all the perks right now. I realize he is a private person, but he strikes me as the kind of guy who might say, when asked if he has a girlfriend, "yes, there is someone special in my life." He doesn't have to say who, and if he is the romantic we assume, I think he would WANT people to know there is someone special. At any rate, I don't think we have to worry about his love life. I don't think he will have any trouble finding someone.

[tdav]

I regards to Julianne's "immaturity" on DWTS, I think that was kind of hyped up for the camera, and Apolo half the time was joking around just as much. And in regards to her age, I think that could've played a part in why Apolo "kept it professional" as he would say, being maybe he's interested in older women, plus, as I've said before, she's got a boyfriend and Apolo doesn't seem like the kind of guy to get involved with another guy's woman. And I think we have to say that Julianne herself probably has a higher maturity level than the average 19 year old. I mean, she did leave her parents and move to London with Derek at 10.

[susie]

Guest II: "If you're not hot and rumored to be gay, then it's ok. If you're a hottie and your fanbase want to fantasize about you or think that they have a .000000000001% chance of being with you, then it sucks if you could be gay."



Guest II, I heart you as well, right along with Bella.

So I might have a one in a trillion chance with Apolo? (I'm estimating, I got tired of counting all those zeros, LOL.) No, seriously, I think my chances are better than that. One in a billion, at least. Maybe even one in a million? Okay, call me an optimist.

I think as a culture, maybe as humans, we have a desperate need to categorize people into neat little boxes. "Gay" is one of those neat little boxes that we have for people who in some way break the mold. And Apolo definitely breaks the mold. I don't know about all of you, but that's exactly why I like him. He's a dark, fierce competitor on the ice...gentle, good-humored, and agreeable off the ice. He's a high achiever who reportedly is not at all snobby. Apolo is someone whose mother left him in the dust at a tender age, but who clearly loves and is very protective toward the women in his life. He's humble, modest, and grateful...but he also knows how to use his power to accomplish his objectives. He can put on a "poker face", but is also capable of dropping it to show the public his goofy, fun-loving side. He's a speedskater who can waltz. Athlete and entertainer. Asian and Caucasian. Yin and yang.

As far as I'm concerned, if the public insists on putting him into their neat little boxes...let them. Apolo will just keep on doing what he does best...being himself. And someday he will be standing on that podium once again, and the tears will be running down our cheeks when the anthem plays because for a few moments we'll remember that he breaks the mold and is NOT like everyone else. And we will rejoice in that.

[elsa]

Aww, that's a beautiful post, susie. You're so eloquent.

[raingirl]

susie said:

Guest II: "If you're not hot and rumored to be gay, then it's ok. If you're a hottie and your fanbase want to fantasize about you or think that they have a .000000000001% chance of being with you, then it sucks if you could be gay."



Guest II, I heart you as well, right along with Bella.

So I might have a one in a trillion chance with Apolo? (I'm estimating, I got tired of counting all those zeros, LOL.) No, seriously, I think my chances are better than that. One in a billion, at least. Maybe even one in a million? Okay, call me an optimist.

I think as a culture, maybe as humans, we have a desperate need to categorize people into neat little boxes. "Gay" is one of those neat little boxes that we have for people who in some way break the mold. And Apolo definitely breaks the mold. I don't know about all of you, but that's exactly why I like him. He's a dark, fierce competitor on the ice...gentle, good-humored, and agreeable off the ice. He's a high achiever who reportedly is not at all snobby. Apolo is someone whose mother left him in the dust at a tender age, but who clearly loves and is very protective toward the women in his life. He's humble, modest, and grateful...but he also knows how to use his power to accomplish his objectives. He can put on a "poker face", but is also capable of dropping it to show the public his goofy, fun-loving side. He's a speedskater who can waltz. Athlete and entertainer. Asian and Caucasian. Yin and yang.

As far as I'm concerned, if the public insists on putting him into their neat little boxes...let them. Apolo will just keep on doing what he does best...being himself. And someday he will be standing on that podium once again, and the tears will be running down our cheeks when the anthem plays because for a few moments we'll remember that he breaks the mold and is NOT like everyone else. And we will rejoice in that.

Love how you shared your thoughts Susie. Thanks so much. You did a wonderful job of putting into words what I know many of us believe.

[olympia]

susie---I have been working on a pm to you all day but this post is just AMAZING and I totally agree, I can't wait to see him on the podium again--- olympia

[kirkland]

Susie,

I don't think anyone could improve on what you said.

[kirkland]

Epipheniii ~

LOL! Loved your post and laughed out loud at the last paragraph.

Regarding the baths, there may be something cultural in that baths are a form of socializing in Japan as well as a form of relaxation. Apolo was raised in an essentially Japanese environment.

Seattle a gay city? I dunno. There is definitely a population of gays here, but isn't that true of most cities? So does Vancouver. I've found that most desirable and beautiful cities have a relatively large gay population.

Going with Dave and the boys to Hawaii? Honestly, I know lots of young guys that have done the same. If they were all skating buddies, what a great way to take a break, enjoy the sun and have a few laughs. If they were older, it might cause me to pause, but nah...

He could be gay, but I don't think that is the odds on likelihood. If he is, I can understand why he would feel the need to keep that private at this point in his life. Whatever, it is what it is, and he is what he is. All the speculation in the world won't change it. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and the type of person I see. I think he is a very unique, interesting, smart and great guy.

[number1fan]

i for one, do not care what his sexual preference was, is, will be...
he is still and always will be the apolo that i admire and
for all the wonderful reasons we know.
those in the media (and other mindless individuals) who choose to discuss
of all things his sexual preference over all his remarkable achievements
are clearly the s here.