“Of course, I miss performing a little. At the same time, I find that commentary also has an element of performance to it. So I’m not here as just a spectator, which I think would have been much harder for me.” Gabriella Papadakis about her work as a commentator
Gabriella Papadakis about her work as a commentator.
source: Franceinfo dd. March 29th 2025 by Anaïs Brosseau
In an interview with Franceinfo, Gabriella Papadakis spoke about her work as a commentator for the NBC. Here’s a translation of her comments.
“Q: You’re attending your first championships as a “retiree,” but also as a commentator for the American channel NBC. How do you feel about this experience?
Gabriella Papadakis: It’s different… My last competition was three years ago, but I’m still very connected to the competitive world. Everyone I commentated on Friday are my former competitors —people I shared the ice with for a very long time. So, I’m still very aware of who the skaters in competition are. I feel like I’m in-between worlds.
A lot has happened over the past few years. I’ve taken some distance from it all. What strikes me about being here is that it reminds me of the person I was the last time I participated in a World Championships and allows me to realize how much I’ve changed. It’s very positive to reflect on that.
Q: Is it hard to watch others compete and not take part in the competitions yourself?
Gabriella Papadakis: Of course, I miss it a little. At the same time, I find that commentary also has an element of performance to it. I’m not here as just a spectator, which I think would have been much harder for me. Since I’m here to deliver a performance — albeit different — I still feel like I’m part of the event. I find the experience very enriching.
Q: How difficult is it to commentate in English, which isn’t your native language?
Gabriella Papadakis: It adds an extra challenge, but I enjoy it. I need to make sure I’m understood and choose my words carefully because my vocabulary in English isn’t as rich as it is in French. The biggest challenge, though, is that I speak, like many French people, with a very monotone tone. Americans are completely different in this regard. So, I’m still working on making my voice more engaging. That was the first piece of feedback I received when I commentated for NBC for the first time at the U.S. Nationals in January.
Q: What do you enjoy about the work of a commentator?
Gabriella Papadakis: Being able to speak to an audience where some are deeply invested and knowledgeable about skating, while others know very little about the sport. For the latter group, the goal is to show them what’s exciting about skating and invite them into this world. I enjoy finding that balance. Skating has always been my passion, so I love sharing it and conveying my enthusiasm to the viewers.
Q: You recently completed a tour of galas with Madison Hubbell, a former American ice dancer. How did you experience the media whirlwind surrounding this female duo?
Gabriella Papadakis: I wasn’t expecting so much buzz, but it’s wonderful. It’s proof that people are interested, and it draws attention to figure skating. People want to see female duos. They’re surprised that it hasn’t existed already. I’m glad to have contributed something to this movement.
Q: How do you explain the strong public interest?
Gabriella Papadakis: I think it was the right moment. There are a lot of negative things happening in the world right now. There’s a sense that some of the progress made in the past is being rolled back, and many movements are under attack. I think a part of the population appreciates seeing that there are still people trying to push things forward. It gives hope and shows that not everything is going wrong. I’m happy to be part of that movement.
Q: After these busy months, what are your future plans?
Gabriella Papadakis: Resting at home! I haven’t been there for several months. I haven’t had a single day off in the past two months. After that, with the end of the competitions, skaters will start preparing for the next season. I’m already planning to assist with choreography and training camps around the world. And finally, I’ll continue working on my personal projects.”
Related topics: Gabriella Papadakis Guillaume Cizeron
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