Former figure skater Tonya Harding shocks viewers in rare social media video
Topics: Celebrity, Sport, US News, Twitter, Social Media
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Topics: Celebrity, Sport, US News, Twitter, Social Media
Controversial figure skater Tonya Harding has taken to social media to 'catch up' with anyone who 'remembers' her.
Harding - the subject of 2017 film starring Margot Robbie I, Tonya - is a former figure skater who became embroiled in controversy when her ex-husband orchestrated a physical attack on one of her competitors ahead of the United States Figure Skating Championships.
The 54-year-old has since 'figured out how to make' a Twitter account and has called out to fans.
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Harding took to Twitter on January 29, noting she'd 'finally figured out how to make an account' on the social media platform.
In the video, she says: "Hey everyone, I'm Tonya Harding. I'm on X, oh my God I'm so excited! Happy new year, join me there and let's chat it up. Love you, God bless. Bye!"
The caption reads: "Hi everyone! [...] I'm very excited to reconnect with you all (if anyone remembers me) With love, Tonya."
And it's not taken long for people to flood to the post to weigh in.
One Twitter user said: "We ain’t forgot what you done. #NeverForgetNancy."
"Good luck! Break a leg," another added.
A third commented: "I'm sure you're a very different person however many decades later but be aware most Twitter people are not big on the forgive-and-forget thing."
Many social media users' responses refer to fellow figure skater Nancy Kerrigan who was struck in the leg with a baton at the Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan on January 6, 1994, just days before the United States Figure Skating Championships - in which Harding was her main rival.
The attack was conducted by Shane Stant and Derrick Smith who were employed by Jeff Gillooly - then-husband of Harding - alongside Shawn Eckardt.
Harding initially denied knowledge of the attack however later accepted a plea deal to ensure no further prosecution - pleading guilty to conspiracy to hinder prosecution for her role in the attack on Kerrigan and being sentenced to three years of probation, a $100,000 fine and community service.
The attack took place ahead of the 1994 United States Figure Skating Championships and Winter Olympics and while the injury to her lower right thigh prevented her from competing in the US Figure Skating Championships, Kerrigan was able to perform in the Olympics.
Harding was later banned for life from taking part in any events run by the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) and stripped of her 1994 title.