Michelle Kwan Talks Body Image as Young Skater
Two-time Olympic medalist Michelle Kwan says she faced body image issues as a young figure skater - and wants other athletes to know she's available as a resource for them. The skating icon, who shot to fame at age 12 when she became a senior-level figure skater and went on to become a five-time World Champion, says growing up in the limelight put a lot of pressure on her to look a certain way both on and off the ice.
"I was a teenager and going through puberty very publicly, it was tough," Kwan, 37, tells Cosmopolitan.com at a P&G event for their Thank You, Mom campaign. "You're on [magazine] covers, being interviewed, and just trying to be the best - and there's a lot of pressure that comes with that."
Kwan's comments come only a few weeks after Gracie Gold's announcement that she was pulling out of the Grand Prix of Figure Skating, while being treated for anxiety, depression, and an eating disorder. "I've been there, I can relate," says Kwan. "Whether it's competition, setbacks, fear of failing, or body image. I hope that [younger skaters] know I'm here for them to give honest advice."
Kwan says she was lucky to have mentors and role models of her own to help her through the glaring spotlight growing up. And, the most important person to help her through those "isolating" times was her mom, Estella Kwan, who emigrated from Hong Kong to the U.S. with her father, Danny Kwan.
"I was improving in the sport at age 10, 11, when I was getting my triple jumps - and it was suddenly very isolating. I was doing really well in competitions and it felt strange because people that were my friends became almost jealous," says Kwan. "My mom was always there to lean on and give advice, like, 'Stay focused. These are not your real friends. You'll have friends who are supportive who will help you get to where you are and are supportive of one another.'"
