Dominique Moceanu Dateline Interview - Oct. 26, 1998 - “Balance of Power”

Jane Pauley sits down with the lovely Dominique Moceanu to discuss the issues with her parents in this gem from 1998.
We love you, Domi!

[@PigDogVideo]

You can find the video of Domi striking her head on the balance beam - the video that she used on Twitter and the one Debra Norville reference on Inside Edition the week of Aug. 1, 2021 - here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ6vhauPj956fK8

[@gabrielamartiniuc6322]

For the fact that her dad said “I don’t remember.” When was asked if he hit her. Narcissism at its finest.

[@learnstuff4211]

Bingo

[@MariaMaria-sr8zg]

I have 3 children,unless you hit your child often, you would remember if you ever struck them. "I don't remember" is as good as an admission of guilt or at least the admission of guilt of not being in control of yourself. I know I have never hit my kids. You don't have to try to recall that information.

[@koolaidman6251]

This poor kid. You can tell she is just DONE. She talks like someone who has had this conversation 1,000 times and NO ONE EVER LISTENED. And now finally someone might be listening.

[@PinkRanger1105]

I can VIVIDLY remember the 1996 Olympics, and I was only 11 at the time. But Dominique Moceanu was my favorite. I was ridiculously obsessed with her because she seemed so cool, even at such a young age. I don’t remember this interview specifically, but I remember it was national news when she wanted to emancipate from her parents. I’m 36 now, but now I can see just how poised and amazing she was at such a young age. This is why I seriously feel so lucky that I was able to live through (and remember) just how impactful the Magnificent 7 really were. They were such an inspiration and I am so happy Dominique was able to get through it all with such grace and maturity.

[@marklanfier8287]

Ha! I was 11yo as well & she was my true love.

[@quitefranklysamanthatheres1018]

Same!!! I was 😅11 too

[@violinist-tiffanyg3276]

I was 13, and she was my favorite of the seven.

[@Seven35888]

Feel for Dominique so much. She went through so much in her childhood and adolescence I hope she’s healed or is healing from all the stuff that she was put through. Shes a gem of a person. Deserve nothing but happiness

[@franss7554]

No child at age 14 has to bear the responsibility to be the breadwinner of the family. It’s insane. I hope she turns out fine and gets as far away as possible from her parents. She deserves so much more for the achievements she has reached.

[@sofabee1]

She is doing great now. Has her own gym and training young girls in a very positive environment.

[@Kaboomboo]

Yeah it's insane that they made her do all the work, yet they controlled and spent the money.

[@kevinburke6055]

@@Kaboomboosounds familiar to another celebrity born in 1981……….Britney

[@stephanienicole4093]

She is so brave.

[@aciewha7702]

It’s infuriating how much abuse was swept under the rug or down played. I’m so glad Domonique got thru this. Every child is more than what we as parents put on their shoulders.

[@haydenmusicacademy7502]

I remember watching this when it aired and then many years later reading her book. They really downplayed how psycho crazy her father was in this segment. He even went as far as hiring a hitman to kill her coach and her coach's fiance because he felt they were influencing Dominique to become too "independent" from him (because of course he wanted 100% control of her and her money). It's any wonder how Dominique was able to keep her sanity given how crazy her father was, not to mention the torment of training under Bela and Marta (who also goaded her father into physically assaulting her for not "working hard enough"). Poor girl...though I'm so glad she was able to eventually move on and create a happy life for herself.

[@cherylrobbearts8041]

Amen. Knowing what we know now even more so. Shame on the media for posing these questions as if she were just a spoiled and ungrateful child.

[@Kaboomboo]

Oh I remember that part in the book, where they were in Las Vegas and they were discussing it on the phone. The part that scared me the most was when she drove to the mall and her dad followed her and confronted her in the parking lot. Or the part where her mother and sister were hiding in Dominique's apartment, she was like 17 or 18 at this time, and her father was blowing up her phone. She kept telling her mother not to answer but she finally broke and spoke to him and a few minutes later she took the sister and went BACK top him. So scary.

[@MikeTheArtistX]

@Wynn Wynn Those are the questions!

[@learnstuff4211]

She’s an extraordinary person. What a portrait of strength. Multidimensional, multifaceted resilience, determination and strength. More than just a spectacular & elite athlete but every bit the amazing person too.

[@tcconnection]

I'm so glad she didn't fall in the interviewer traps and said maybe so, maybe not. I'm glad she got her freedom. Her money. And whether scars last or not, a hit is a hit, it's not love.

[@Laura-ch7fl]

She seems so unusually mature even at this young age.

[@doloresleyva8810]

She was a gold winner and has won gold in life. She went through alot . It all made her stronger.

[@csebastian3]

The commercials are great!

[@55Porter]

What a good and gentle little soul. Got caught up in a whirlwind in her teenage years.

[@Msladyrae92]

She was a very mature 17 year old. Things are really making sense to me. Just watched her clip on Oprah about how her parents placed their daughter up for adoption after being born with no legs. Makes sense that they were both gymnasts and had plans for their children to participate. Can’t do that with a kid with no legs. The epitome of stage parents.

[@Kaboomboo]

Well no, that wasn't the reason. They kept the other daughter with legs and she didn't get pushed into gymnastics. They gave Jennifer away because they believed they couldn't afford the medical bills required to take care of a child with no legs. Of course we know NOW that that was all shite because her adoptive parents didn't need to spend any extra money on "special" equipment to raise her. She was treated exactly like everyone else and they didn't modify anything in the home for her except the light switch. But that's the way the Moceanus saw it. And it was the best thing for Jennifer because with the Moceanu family she'd be made to feel like a burden and a mistake, instead of the wonderful family that took her in. Everything happens for a reason.

[@cmytu2349]

@@Kaboomboo @Rae Baylor Jennifer competed in tumbling with the United States Tumbling &Trampoline Association on a team in southern IL. She was awesome running down the mat using her arms to travel. I believe she competed up to the sub-advanced level if I am incorrect then it was intermediate. She now performs using acrobatic skills on a large scarf held high above the stage. She is a very inspiring woman.

[@Janellabelle]

Have you ever faced the dilemma of providing for a child with NO LEGS?! Or anything even CLOSE? Can you even begin to imagine the level of commitment, mental stability, money, time, and overall massive sacrifice for possibly that child's entire lifetime, etc. You have no right to side eye and sit back and judge like a Karen anyone in that situation and the decision they had to make under their personal circumstances.

[@SchlichteToven]

Ugh, Dateline interviewers were smug and asked leading questions even back then. And just because a kid can look after herself at 17 doesn't mean the parents did a good job - lots of Victorian London street kids were very adept at surviving, but it wasn't because of their parents, it was because they had no choice.

[@jennifermarries777]

I was appalled by that dumb question/statement too

[@wendyw651]

The whole thing was so infantalizing. The questions, the tone of voice, the facial expressions. She did everything but pat her head and call her "sweetie"

[@arfriedman4577]

Her voice is so adorable. I'm sorry her dad made her scared.

[@jjf8862]

Dominique I wish you well, I just came across your story. I truly admire your courage and determination! God bless you.

[@anovemberstar]

money was not the issue -but it as a symbol of what the problem was - control and abuse

[@carolinekane625]

These commercials tho 😂

[@cabralliliveth11]

I know lmaoo specially the "Burlington coat factory " one

[@nataliflores128]

Dude fr, lowkey interesting though

[@Tite681]

Wish I still had my Microsoft Natural Keyboard

[@JennyofOldStones713]

It was truly a much more innocent time

[@brendaannedufaur6244]

What a sleazy father. A lying abuser. Dominique is such an incredible person and incredible gymnast. Jane Pauley is annoying. People have no idea the trauma of a child being abused by her father. You don't have to feel guilty when you strike out against that whether they are your parents or not.

[@francescasofia8189]

@Thunderbolt I read in Domi’s book that her lawyer and pca managed to gain control of the building and she wanted to shut it and sell the property, I don’t know what happened to it though

[@JackOLanter]

His father was a truly bad man. This was way before she found out she was siblings with Jen Bricker. God this girls story was a movie.

[@redfairy12]

When the lawyer says “all she had to do was grab a cup of coffee… or milk and sit down” then show her grabbing a cup of milk lmao

[@crystalheart9]

I thought that was such a joke!

[@riase]

Good job she did this. Not only to escape the abuse but also to protect her money and independence. Remember what happened to Gary Coleman.

[@phresh62]

What happened to Gary Coleman?

[@jennysheets]

I wonder if she's talked to them since. Poor girl...Bela, Marta and her parents. So heartbreaking

[@Kaboomboo]

Yes she did. Read her memoir. It actually got even crazier after this.

[@cr8iveamboy775]

Wow! Never knew or anticipated this for arguably one of the best gymnast the US ever produced. I am a big fan.. she definitely won our hearts in the 90s.. I am glad Dominque is in a better situation now. Congratulations! But what a price and journey.. I hope it helps others to learn from it. This is common among child stars, i.e. Macaulay.. the child making the money, millions, and parents managing it and seeing their child as almost winning lottery tickets.. It is unfortunate when this leads to or results in abuse to control their stake.. Definitely, half of all earnings should be reserved for the child until they are an adult and the child should be involved in the managing of decisions like the ones she mentioned.. commensurate to their ability and reasonable understanding.. hopefully their blessing.. parents roles in general are hard to define.. we don't have a license or test for that.. what unique case.. it is an interesting dynamic to study.. scenarios & paradigm of success.

[@michaeljmobley]

Such a beautiful and talented girl and became a lovely lady. An elite gymnast who had to live through the struggles of expectations and hype at such an early age. She seems like a sweet and decent person. I'll always admire her!

[@tinarider9945]

Soooo cute, great gymnast.. I adore her.. 💋 💕 🥰

[@michelesimone6752]

It's a little like Brittney's situation.

[@cherylrobbearts8041]

Jane Pauly didn't have a clue. If she had she wouldn't have treated Dominique like she was just a spoiled brat. There was serious abuse there and at the Karoli's gym. Shame on you Jane.

[@Mimi-hn6iv]

Big time shame on Jane

[@Laura-ch7fl]

It seems like most of the world thought she was a spoiled brat until the world finally found out about the abuse in the USGF.

[@georgiesimmons5924]

Fast forward to 2024 and a shriveled version of herself is fawning over harry and Meghan in a fluff piece ridiculous 🙄

[@it2313]

Her father's name was Dumitru, not Dimitri, he was Romanian, not Russian. At least they should get the name right as journalists.

[@SAlina-se9xq]

😆

[@s.c.7362]

They said Romanian.

[@it2313]

@@s.c.7362 you misunderstood. Yes, they did, yet they said his name as if he were a Russian, that was my point. Dimitri is Russian, Dumitru is Romanian.

[@puddinpopization]

They said they came from Romania so what about that would lead you to even come up with anything Russian? And either way evil is evil no matter the flag you paint it with.

[@leonadecristalmurano4152]

Acabo de ver su rutina en la viga de equilibrio y la verdad es que me dejó muda de ver tanta perfección.Esta chica es formidable!😄✨

[@thamnophisrex5895]

Her parents were using her as a cash cow!

[@gabrielamartiniuc6322]

Why is her Mom not protecting her? Until she’s 35? 😂 Thats not right. I want answers ? You can’t reason with abusers.

[@MsTinkerbelle87]

Resilient spirit!!💪

[@robertlipiec1975]

She was such a smart/mature young woman. If she was that frightened of her own father it tells me that he was abusive. I hope everything worked out for her.

[@jennyoneill8879]

Then she found out that she had a long lost sister

[@jennyjones1998]

Her gym was 2 minutes from my home. It didn't last long.

[@donaldholderdoc2910]

She is such a beautiful young lady inside and out. I'm glad she finally found peace 🕊️. ps. I know it probably comes down to some copywrite laws or such, but why couldn't this video be edited without the annoying commercials? Most of which aren't even relevant businesses today.

[@RobertoRodriguez-pz1uv]

Amazing

[@waldensiansylph4869]

Wow, until 35 😳 That's crazy. Sounds like Queen Victoria's mother, wanted to do a regency until she was 25. Found out about her through Jennifer Bricker's testimony. Love Jennifer & husband

[@r.g6170]

that age says it all. 18 or 20 years fine. but 35 lol

[@MekhiBowles]

that Chevy chase commercial

[@yasssgawwwd5643]

Her father is thinking she’s under the influence of other people that want THEIR MONEY. She has none.

[@Kaboomboo]

That lawyer is such a liar. Domi asked her parents _several_ times about the money and they told her to stop asking and to not worry about it. Domi didn't even get curious about her income until she saw that Shannon Miller (and I think Strug) were putting their money aside. It was so foreign to her that she could have any control over her money.

[@stacyadams3805]

Her parents were awful people they only kept Dominique and train her to be a gymnast from pretty much birth because they wanted that money that money and thing that would come with it the only thing they cared about was money and pushing her and pushing her and they had another daughter and they gave her up because she had no arms and legs so sad the way those people are and I'm glad Dominique got away from them.. it was her money not theirs and I'm glad that she got to keep it

[@kathrynwitte3398]

What year did she find out that her parents left her older full sister at an orphanage when she was born handicapped?

[@rubyhuanosta1467]

2006

[@belair90210]

2007

[@tericaclark4871]

Such a sweet kid and it's sad she had to pull the burden to support a family 🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️😥😥

[@dietdrpepper15]

Don't forget this girl's 'wonderful' parents gave up a child for adoption and never told her either. Jeez glad she is doing okay these days.

[@trytobenice7234]

🥤 Skip the commercials @ 3:43

[@SOS-ct9mv]

Is that lawyer for real? what a creep.

[@Lhagyb2238]

😍🙂

[@candy-gn9mf]

Control and abuse

[@linkin20la]

How many safe sport violations did you catch? Sharing an apartment with your coach would not be allowed now.

[@michaelshervo4040]

That was the dumbest thing the reporter could've said towards the end.

[@user-LuGymnastics]

What a gross family situation. How parents could be such a horrible people with their own child.

[@neilybugg]

Why does she have to go to her parents to discuss the money?

[@agapeeternal]

This why handling your kid and their money properly. I understanding holding SOME M money back (from her (she’s a teen and could easily blow tt all quickly) but just use her money since she’s under your roof? Uh-uh, we got a problem.

[@staciehaneline9533]

Gymnastics lessons are very expensive.

[@georgiesimmons5924]

Her dad gives real bad vibes. Off and gymnastics is a very damaging um, the body she busted her butt off in the Olympics, and throughout her career, she deserves to have her money and as young as she was, she was smart. Enough to realize that that idiot father was probably gonna waste her money before she was able to access it

[@LouisCapps-p3z]

Jane P🤮🤮🤮🤮😡

[@DJcyberslash]

No wonder the father didn't want his 14 yr old living with some coach man and his wife. Larry Nassar anyone?

[@arielsclamshellbra]

Instead he let her go stay months with Bela karoly at his ranch where he allowed Larry nasser the access to assault her. He didn't give a damn about her just what money she could make him.

[@zahedah80]

Investing in that gym was actually brilliant and it shows me her dad wasn't taking advantage of her money but rather really was investing it for her.

[@arielsclamshellbra]

He was a con man. You need to learn more about this story than just watching this video which was filmed one week after she filed the paperwork to be emancipated, meaning lots of things came out in the years since that absolutely validate everything she ever said about him.

[@zahedah80]

@@arielsclamshellbra I know from experience how ungrateful children can be.

[@Infinitelywicked7]

@@zahedah80I guess you didn’t understand the interview. Her father was abusive and only wanted money from her daughter. They stole millions of the money she made, not her parents. Don’t project your issues on to the truth of her story!

[@zahedah80]

@Infinitelywicked7 it's not stealing if the gym is an asset in her name. Fuck off and go learn some grammar. It's his daughter not her daughter, or their daughter if you will. I don't need some fucking stranger assuming I have issues that I am projecting.