Olympic ice dance champion Gabriella Papadakis revealed that she lost her commentary position with NBC for the upcoming Winter Olympics due to a dispute with her former skating partner regarding her new book. In an interview with sports daily L’Equipe, Papadakis explained that NBC made this decision after Guillaume Cizeron contested the content of her book, “So as Not to Disappear,” which was released recently.
Cizeron took legal action on Tuesday, requesting all parties to cease the spread of what he deemed as defamatory statements about him. Papadakis expressed her disappointment at losing the opportunity to pursue a new career as a commentator, stating that she felt unjustly treated despite understanding NBC’s position.
The retired 30-year-old skater delved into her book, describing her struggles in an imbalanced relationship with Cizeron, noting his controlling and demanding behavior. She mentioned feeling overwhelmed by his dominance in their partnership, especially when she sought equality.
Papadakis and Cizeron had a successful career together, winning gold at the 2022 Beijing Games and numerous other championships. However, their relationship soured over time, leading to public disagreements and accusations from both sides.
Cizeron refuted the claims in Papadakis’ book, labeling them as lies and expressing his disappointment at the timing of the release, coinciding with his return to competitive skating with Laurence Fournier Beaudry. Fournier Beaudry, who recently obtained French citizenship, partnered with Cizeron for the upcoming Olympics, adding complexity to the situation.
Despite the ongoing disputes and legal actions, both Papadakis and Cizeron have acknowledged their past successes but are now embroiled in a public feud that has affected their professional careers and personal reputations.