'I, Tonya' star Allison Janney says Tonya Harding was 'misjudged'

The Golden Globe-nominated actress said the film doesn't "completely exonerate her but it does make you question exactly what her hand in all that was," regarding the Nancy Kerrigan scandal.

[@dandycandy5813]

After watching I, Tonya it's so hard to imagine Allison Janney is such a nice person. She is one of the most talented actresses I've ever seen!

[@ccherie2021]

Allison Janney KILLED that performance! Oscar worthy!!!!!

[@lighteyes214]

The movie is SO good! Bravo to Allison Janney on her performance.

[@marilynjones5749]

Just saw the Movie! I Had to drive an hr to find a theatre playing it. It was Really a Good Movie. Worth the drive!!! I feel bad for Tanya-she got screwed out of a bright future!!! Lesson, Get rid of stupid people in your life. Stupid people in your life will always hold you back!!!!

[@VioletJoy]

I suppose that's the moral of that story.

[@mammybelle7302]

I'm on it 🤗 👊💗

[@MGB18]

Janney kicks ass in this flick! She makes you hate her character through the entire movie! Great performance!

[@MGB18]

Justin Time: My sentiments exactly! JP is another great actor that can make you want to shoot his character. lol.

[@MGB18]

Justin Time: Yes! LOL.. That was epic!

[@starace4031]

The film is fantastic and the cast performed remarkably well. Tonya was and continues to be misjudged and considering most people are aware of how twisted and manipulating the media can be, I had hoped that people would go into the film with more of an open-mind. Tonya is a fantastic skater and really was the best at the time of her peak (1991). I just don't think that anyone let her reach her full potential. The judges for one, didn't want to see a person from her 'rougher' background succeed as it contradicted the perfect mold they had in mind for figure skating.

[@yevgeniyaleshchenko849]

No, Oksana Baiul (Ukrainian, winner of Olympics gold medal, hello) was the best at that time. Tonya however was also really good and yes she faced one obstacle after another

[@mareikepfahl987]

She is absolutely right. Tonya had too many two faced characters in her life!

[@siddharthnaagar7028]

She really deserves the Oscar

[@bodybalancer]

Saw the film last night and whatever you think or feel about what happened in real life.... it's just a GREAT MOVIE!!!! Highly recommend! I laughed, I cried, I was moved..... that covers it! Everything art should do for me I feel like

[@jongover5056]

Being punished for other people's crimes. That's a new one!

[@ChandrabhanSingh-mz4hc]

She's so great in I, Tonya , one of my two favourite performances of the year , she really deserves to win the Oscar

[@moonkissed3033]

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE 💗 TONYA HARDING and HER PHENOMENALLY BRILLIANT SKATING. Allison does an AMAZING JOB PORTRAYING Tonya’s MEAN MOTHER!!!!

[@lisasmith9311]

Tonya is a good friend of mine she was misjudged

[@Melinda8162]

lisa myhre Please tell her I thought she was one of the greatest and best to watch skater ever!!

[@lisasmith9311]

Ruby Tuesday I will.i remember about ten years ago she asked me to come watch her skate and it was just beautiful like she was gliding without a care in the world

[@Alex-hu7jf]

I wish I could see that too... Say hi to Tonya from Poland!

[@hattiem.7966]

I loved the movie,saw it today.Janney gave a great speech tonight at the Golden Globes after her win.

[@Crabbyslitzy]

Great movie. I think Tonya deserves a a good life.

[@pomarekaire1344]

She was, she was misjudged....

[@prettyflyforawhitegirl]

She was great in the movie

[@tuckernaughton]

Heres what I think (not that it matters): - Tonya's poor upbringing is no justification for poor sportsmanship, which she did display (blaming wardrobe and equipment problems for some of her sloppy performances, etc.) - The potentially unfair treatment Tonya may have received for her technically and artistically proficient programs from judges is no justification for what was done to Nancy Kerrigan - The attack on Kerrigan was clearly done in service of Tonya's career (it's not like it was a Kristy Yamaguchi fan clubbing Nancy); no other rivalry in skating came close to the hype of Nancy/Tonya All this being said: - I think Tonya thought Jeff and his goons were all talk. I think she blew off steam with them by talking about "taking Nancy out", but never actually wanted to hurt Nancy. I think Jeff took her seriously or decided to act on those "venting sessions" thinking he could potentially be part of a pay-day if Tonya won gold. I think Tonya couldn't be honest about this "blowing off steam" because it probably wouldn't have been believed. So, yes, I believe she was involved in the attack by way of conversations that were taken seriously that she should have been more honest about. In a sense, by not clarifying with Jeff that this was just blowing off steam, she did kind of order the attack.

[@avanishetty5777]

not contradicting you..but i think if her skates were bad i dont think she would have been able to skate her best...equipment does have impact on your performance

[@johnperrigo6474]

I can't believe how bad GMA has become over the years.

[@johnperrigo6474]

the fake hugs/kisses are the best part

[@kenaldri4982]

At the time, Nancy Kerrigan was portrayed in the local (Portland) media as being from a prominent Boston family. That was not true. Apparently her family was more working class although there would have been wealthier kids in her school if she grew up in Stoneham. But her supposed "better breeding" (she certainly didn't exude working class Boston) was played to the hilt when the story first broke. Many Portlanders loved Tonya for "sticking it to the rich". I don't know how the movie will portray Nancy now. It seems though as if the focus is more on Tonya and her mom rather than on Tonya vs Nancy. Bad parenting (leading to bad relationships in general), in other words, rather than class warfare. By portraying Tonya as just another victim of abuse, worshipping her as some sort of working class heroine is discouraged. Probably wise since a felony was involved, and maybe more in line with Hollywoods preference for emphasizing the bumbling, slapstick nature of the whole affair anyway.

[@toddpieper7322]

These newspeople are so ignorant

[@MrS98VAC]

Tonya Harding was a PHENOMENAL ice skater, way better than Kerrigan!

[@stevenvalencia6353]

MrS98VAC are u kidding my she was not most of her jumps were two footed all the time. She wasnt gracefull her lines sucked she was known for her jumps that were awkward looking plus she failed at the olympics didnt even place lol nancy beat her lol

[@MrS98VAC]

Steven Valencia You obviously need glasses and besides, Nancy was/is a complete dud with NO personality whatsoever!

[@ellajones6812]

This video is proof you are an idiot and no not of what you speak. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5WmZnpteKmpmKs

[@stevenvalencia6353]

Ella Jones oooh 1 freeskate where she skated good . watch the 94 olympics where she won.................... Oh..... wait she ....didnt...... hmm ouch i guess the pressure of commiting a crime an trying to get away with was to much pressure im not saying she was a bad character im arguing the fact that this actress says she was miss judged. An a victim she was not a victim an was portrayed perfectly thats why she was found guilty in a court she may have not had the crow bar in her hands an hit nancy but being found guilty of. Arranging it is worse its like bullying u may not be the one doing the torturing or bullying but someone watching it an doing nothing to stop it is worse then the bullying

[@stevenvalencia6353]

Ella Jones dude lol u sent me a video link where she skated good. Lol go check out 1990 us championships .or the 92 an 94 olympics where she skated clean as well an won both olympics .... Oh wait.... She didnt .... Ouch i guess the pressure of commiting a crime like she did an being found guilty didnt help her conscience . this actress said she was miss judged an that she wasnt the villian an nancy wasnt the ice princess .. Lol haaa nancy was the ice princess the complete package thats why tonya tried to take her out of the olympics because she knew going in she couldnt beat her at the olympics ... Tonya not a victim but a criminal ... Truth . sry not sry

[@lianelayman7577]

I also have yellow sunglasses.

[@csmith63]

If they ever did a sequel, it wouldn't be I, Lavona; it'd be I, Oksana! HER life and issues with the "'princess" role, skate powers that be, personal life, and scandal makes the Tonya/Nancy thing look like a Disneyfied live action intended for tweens; nobody does tragedy like Russia and the neighboring countries of Eastern Europe!!!!

[@geslinam9703]

It was her first scene on the ice with a 4 year old Tonya that really pulled me in to that film.

[@siddharthnaagar7028]

Robin Roberts is gonna go crazy interviewing Allison Janney post her Oscar win

[@OceanbornAngel]

I remember when Robin Roberts used to be one of the reporters for Figure Skating.

[@chrisbrancato9678]

I think Tonya needs to be exonerated for once and for all..... She was an amazing skater and at most was married to an idiot. She should have been celebrated and instead was destroyed.

[@deborahhoffman7394]

chris brancato Women are often blamed for the actions of men.

[@lakegirl239]

I always thought e LIFE TIME ban was total overkill and especially unnecessarily cruel.

[@truthsterwakeupworldplease8875]

chris brancato She knew.

[@truthsterwakeupworldplease8875]

Deborah Hoffman Not true idiot, she knew and planned it.

[@christianchimchim4954]

I loved her acting in the movie

[@whataboutredlorry]

Was the guy with the pink tie raised by Mike Tyson or something? He speaks just like him.

[@tinag8341]

Loving the red shoes!

[@laurae2489]

Her performance is Oscar worthy.

[@ohboy9210]

Yes she got a bad deal because of news media. Tonya was the best skater there has ever been and if she would have been given the chance there is nothing that she couldn't have accomplished. I wish her the best.

[@ohboy9210]

Oh yes I love the movie.

[@janetdishler3039]

The US best skater to date is Michele Kwan, she won more titles than Tanya,Nancy and Kristy put together!

[@TheCharleecrat]

yeah blame it all on Shawn who btw, is dead now, he did I admit have delusions of grandeur and amazingly Tonya now admits she overheard Jeff and dead Shawn " talking about stuff" regarding taking Kerrigan out, so there it is what it is

[@Aussienewslover]

I’ll always have a soft spot for CJ

[@carolray9737]

Who's CJ?

[@Aussienewslover]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/morYp2tsntFmhs0&pp=ygUQQ0ogdGhlIHdlc3Qgd2luZw%3D%3D@@carolray9737

[@christianchimchim4954]

If Allison says it,i believe it

[@Nairuulagch]

CJ love you!

[@CoachingHigher]

OSCAR OSCAR OSCAR!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@mammybelle7302]

1st film I ever watched her was first do no harm. I despised her character, she really got under my skin, I knew then she was and still a fantastic actress. 👏💗

[@lisamariarellanes6376]

Misjudged? What? Tonya overheard a conversation before the attack happened. There was discussion on the guys taking someone down. Who would that be? The only person in Tonya's way, Nancy. Why would they take down anyone else in that competition? She may have not known those details; however, she knew something was up. To hear a conversation like that and carry on with the competition and say nothing in order to stop it? Innocent? I don't believe so; this whole thing is pathetic!!! And, very sad! Tonya talks like she only overheard a conversation but she knew nothing of what was to happen........that makes her innocent; it doesn't; she knew something was about to happen and she also saw the guy that actually did it in the lobby the same day; she knew he was there and she knew something was up...and, did nothing to stop it.

[@Inessence4]

Lisa Mari Arellanes Tonya’s ex and his idiot friend we’re perennially unemployed ne’er- do-wells who couldn’t even extract lint from their own navels. Why would she believe that bullshit and bluster? The USFSA were sending two skaters to the Olympics anyway, so knocking out Kerrigan would hardly have mattered. Also, neither of them were favorites to win an OGM. The U.S. had lost a spot at Olys that year due to Nancy’s poor skating and no American reaching the podium. Both women skated shitty at Nationals too, with Tonya left off the World team in favor of Carol Heiss’s two skaters (they totally bombed at World’s btw.) The entire plot by Gillooly and co. was pointless.

[@simplygu]

Just let this story die already. Why did they even make this movie? What fucking garbage!

[@siddharthnaagar7028]

👍👍👍

[@annettehunt900]

I absolutely love Allison Janney she’s great. I think Tonya was terribly miss judged. She thought they were sending a threatening letter to Nancy but instead they hit her kneecap. I don’t like Nancy Kerrigan, because after that happened, she thought that she was going to win the Olympics, and she got the silver and she stood on the podium for everybody to hear her making fun of the girl that won the Olympic gold. She was a poor loser, and I actually saw her in other competitions on TV where she did the same thing.

[@PV1230]

Stephanopolous is a hobbit.

[@chilichickSantaFe]

Do you think we can get a pardon for Tonya to allow her to skate in public again?

[@janetdishler3039]

Just what kind of skating in public do you think she could do now at almost 50 years old?

[@Veronica-bc6pp]

Tonya was punished enough! Terrible judgment is right!

[@claudianeymour2010]

Sometimes our parents rough on us to do better doesn't mean they are bad parents

[@yevgeniyaleshchenko849]

Sweetie, Tonya's mother was much more than ''rough'', she was demeaning and downright abusive. Read up before saying something at all.

[@NaomiChambers]

Tonya's mother certainly was not a nice person. Yet I have to ask myself...who paid for all the ice time, skating lessons...and who made all her costumes? Who drover Tonya to the rink and back every practice when she was 6 years old? Granted the old lady is not innocent - but she made plenty of sacrifices that have gone unnoticed.

[@sampson3121]

or she could have been a loving mother and still payed for everything, no?

[@ajrwilde14]

would you like it if your mother tried to live through you and didn't care how that affected you?

[@tessa6356]

her mother literally threw a knive at her and mentally abused tonya throughout her childhood, Tonya doesnt have to play the victim because she IS the victim

[@46foryounger]

naomi chambers so what that doesn’t diminish the abuse

[@JaneDoe-em7zi]

naomi chambers I hear what your saying, but she's a classic example of a narcissistic mother with manipulative tactics that makes a child feel guilty for sacrificing, which is what mothers should do, because once you become a parent it's not about you any more. She beat that poor girl senseless and even stabbed her. To discipline your child is one thing, but it should never be done in anger, and they are not punching bags. Lavonna was angry about how her life turned out and took it out on her daughter. And she was a horrible alcoholic.

[@annecohen8927]

What a joke.😂

[@kennethrobey7893]

Tonya Harding was by far the best ice skating talent the Yanks had.....however, with or without the whole Nancy Kerrigan event she would have never got the chances and rightful plaudits due to her not being a posh, spoilt, rich establishment type with a silver spoon out of her ass...... She was just working class, and that is pretty much the same in all sports.... Money, power and influence get you everywhere....... Sad but true !!!! Tonya you were the best !!!!

[@emerybayblues]

No matter what you think, the rich Nancy trope is ignorant & wrong. Nancy Kerrigan came from a working class family. (Actually a lot of elite ice skaters don't come from wealthy backgrounds - although they may get wealth upon turning professional). Nancy's dad worked 2 jobs to pay for Nancy's skating. The difference is Nancy embodied what we thought of as the ideal female skater: feminine, attractive, soft & not overly athletic. Tonya didn't. Also Nancy came from a stable 2 parent home which was tremendous asset. Tonya didn't. Eventually a lot of not so nice stuff in Nancy's family life came out regarding her brother and his drug problems.

[@jongover5056]

Got the film. Tonya did nothing wrong

[@joemachunda]

You bet she was misjudged and the snobby skating world acted awful

[@jake105]

George, she is a villain. A lying one at that.

[@datepalm1969]

Tonya Harding is the culprit, not the victim. Tonya is a proven liar, and cannot be trusted to tell the truth about anything, including her mother who worked hard to aid Tonya's career. Tonya is highly disrespectful to and uappreciative of her mother, and that alone speaks volumes of Tonya's despicable character. Reporters, including George Stephanopoulos, ought to be ashamed of themselves for their bias toward Tonya Harding who is clearly culpable in the attack on Nancy Kerrigan, and their negative reporting of Tonya's mother which is based only on the testimony of a proven liar and a complete fruitcake that Tonya Harding is.

[@Inessence4]

Hi Lavonne! You still alive?

[@user-ec4wz5sm1b]

Everyone has a hard up bringing. Tonya did what she did and it was pretty crazy. Tonya said she was rapped and it was a complete lie. She should be shamed for life, which she is.

[@Inessence4]

You seem so sure of your convictions. Good for you.

[@JoshuaFazeli]

Love Allison Janney, but... she did a lot. I don’t think this is necessarily good to project.

[@hattiem.7966]

She has won 3 or 4 awards so far for this role you don't like!!

[@TheZen900]

Why not glorify Charles Manson?

[@JC-yy8iv]

What an idiotic thing to say. Tonya Harding didn't kill anyone. A little perspective here: Nancy was at the Olympics and won silver just 6 weeks later. Six weeks!!! All they did was bruise her. And Tonya lost everything, absolutely every last thing she had worked her entire life for. She paid for her bad decision, a hundred times over. Charles Manson, give me a break. Charles Manson ordered multiple murders. Tonya Harding (probably) had someone give someone else a lil bruise. Not even close to being the same thing.

[@AuntStina]

J. Levi C. I’m not saying what they did was right, but you are correct in saying all they did was bruise Nancy. A day or 2 after the attack, she was able to walk into a press conference under her own power. Pretty much everyone I know who’s had a knee injury, myself included, couldn’t do that. Still doesn’t make it right, but it’s in no way comparable to what Manson did. To sort of change the topic, after learning what I have about knee injuries, I’m wondering if hers was as bad as they make out? She wasn’t allowed to skate, but she was able to get around without crutches. When I’ve gone through physical therapy for my knee injuries, I was told because the knee was closer to your center of gravity, that even minor injuries usually require crutches or a brace. Not saying they were playing up the injury & I honestly felt sorry for Nancy, but I have to wonder?

[@toocute9314]

I think the mother was misjudged. I know I would be horrified of this portrayal if I were the hard working mother. Lousy acting.

[@NaomiChambers]

I agree with you. The mother may not have been Betty homemaker, but who paid for all the lessons, ice time, and sewed the costumes. Treating the mom like a bat out of hell isn't fair.

[@JC-yy8iv]

naomi chambers I understand what you're saying, but it's just the truth. She was in fact a bat out of hell. Plenty of people from Portland remember her drinking and beating Tonya and so on... You know those moms in the movie "Please don't drink here... Don't swear, LaVona-- "I didn't swear, ya c**t!" All those people who saw them all the time have their stories, everyone here in PDX knows what she was like. And furthermore she didn't pay for all the skates and stuff, the coach mostly did. This has been addressed in interviews and was briefly mentioned in the movie "I teach 23 students to pay for Tonya's training" And besides, based on what you're saying here, it would not be possible for a rich kid to be abused. Do you imagine that children from wealthy homes who are beaten by drunk abusive parents have no room to complain? "What's the problem, her parents spent all that money on her?" What a weird attitude.

[@hattiem.7966]

There were witnesses in that bathroom when La Vona beat Tonya with the hairbrush.

[@ninjakitty335]

Providing is good and all but it shouldn’t justify the abuse Tonya suffered. Love and support is more important than just simply providing. In fact, love, support, and providing is how it should be.

[@Galworld761]

@@NaomiChambers so, if you pay for your kid you get to abuse and beat them. Glad I got the rules down.

[@collinsje5]

Tonya Harding is one of those perpetual victim types that blame all of their problems on other people. I'm really tired of The Tonya Harding Redemption Tour and am not buying into her crap.

[@Inessence4]

You just enjoyed the sensationalist media portrayal back in 1994. A lot of simps just ate it up without critical thinking.

[@notyourbusiness8949]

I think her poor mother was and is "misjudged". I think it is horrible that a mother who worked three jobs is portrayed so terribly in this movie. This actress never even had one conversation with the poor lady. Very terrible portrayal.

[@vitameat]

Her mother chose not to speak to the filmmakers.......

[@hattiem.7966]

You need to see the movie.Tonya was nothing but abused growing up and after her marriage.She is happy with her hubby and son.

[@user-52z1]

not your business i agree. People are saying tonya is the victim. However, that is based on what tonya has said. So disgusting how she is being made a victim.

[@hattiem.7966]

You're obviously a huge Nancy ( whiny ) Kerrigan fan.

[@JC-yy8iv]

Hi LaVona

[@user-jp4tl9zd8n]

The hate crime by these bullies are now in there 60s now. John Ryan saw it too me getting pushed down hard to the ground. Bruises and cuts from. Afterwards I quit skate ⛸️ full time.