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Q: Your outdoor performances, often set to hip-hop music, have gone viral. How do you choose the music and locations for your videos?A: I only skate to music that ignites a spark in my heart and soul. If a song stirs something deep within me and I can vividly imagine myself moving to it, that%u2019s the music I choose. My wife and I both love exploring different genres, and when we listen together, we often get inspired and can visualize how the movements would translate on ice.As for the locations, I rely on my good friend Paul Zizka, who%u2019s an expert in the mountains and wild ice. Paul scouts the lakes and ensures conditions are safe for skating. His knowledge allows us to keep everything as safe as possible, and without him, I wouldn%u2019t venture onto these lakes alone.Q: How has your multicultural background, being born in Moscow to a Russian mother and Guinean father, shaped your approach to figure skating?A: Embracing my cultural heritage has been a significant part of my journey. Growing up with a Russian mom, I was inspired by Russian skaters%u2014their style and approach had a profound influence on my career. But in 2015, when I visited Guinea with my dad, it completely shifted my perspective. I was struggling with my relationship with skating at the time, and reconnecting with my Guinean roots helped me rediscover why I loved the sport. Observing my dad%u2019s connection to nature and community in Guinea helped me realize that I wanted my skating to be about more than just technique%u2014I wanted it to be a means of sharing my story and expressing my passion for the art of skating.Q: What challenges did you face as a biracial skater, and how did you overcome the lack of role models in the sport?A: Growing up, the lack of representation in figure skating was a major challenge. There were no biracial or Black skaters at the highest levels, and I often felt pressured to fit into a specific mold to succeed. I was told I couldn%u2019t skate to certain types of music or express myself in ways that weren%u2019t what the judges wanted. I ended up conforming to a more traditional, European style of skating, which led to success, but at the cost of my authenticity.Then, when I was 16 or 17, I saw a Black skater perform live, and it changed everything for me. It made me realize I could be true to myself and still succeed in the sport. That moment set me on the path to becoming the artist and skater I am today.Q: Can you tell us more about your work with the Skate Global Foundation and its focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, mental health, and climate change?A: In 2021, Michelle and I launched the Skate Global Foundation with three core pillars: equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI); mental health; and climate change. Our first project involved refurbishing an outdoor rink in an underserved community and donating 50 pairs of skates to provide kids easy access to the sport. Another initiative focuses on raising funds to support skaters of color, helping them overcome financial barriers that I personally experienced.Q: How did meeting with other Black skaters after the murder of George Floyd impact your advocacy work within the figure skating community?A: After George Floyd%u2019s murder, many Black skaters from around the world came together to share their experiences. We realized how similar our stories were, regardless of where we were from. That connection led us to create safe spaces for skaters of color to be heard, validated, and supported. This dialogue also pushed national organizations like Skate Canada to acknowledge the changes needed in the sport, and we%u2019ve since seen progress through our work with the Figure Skating Diversity and Inclusion Alliance (FSDIA).30 MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 60