Why was Gabriella Papadakis fired from her NBC commentator job?

Gabriella Papadakis was fired because her memoir contained critical remarks about her former skating partner, Guillaume Cizeron, creating a conflict of interest for NBC's Olympic coverage.

What did Gabriella Papadakis say about Guillaume Cizeron in her memoir?

In her memoir, Gabriella Papadakis described her ex-partner Guillaume Cizeron as controlling, demanding, and critical during their time as skating partners.

Did Guillaume Cizeron respond to Papadakis's memoir?

Yes, Guillaume Cizeron called the memoir a 'smear campaign' and stated he disagreed with the labels attributed to him, emphasizing his respect for Papadakis.

Home / Sports / Skater's Memoir Cost Her Olympic Commentator Gig

Skater's Memoir Cost Her Olympic Commentator Gig

24 Jan

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Summary

Gabriella Papadakis was fired from NBC's commentary team.
Her memoir contained critical remarks about her ex-partner.
NBC cited a conflict of interest due to the book's content.

Skater's Memoir Cost Her Olympic Commentator Gig

Gabriella Papadakis, a decorated French ice dancer, will not be serving as a commentator for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Her position with NBC was terminated following the release of her memoir, "Pour ne pas disparaître," which included critical assessments of her former partner, Guillaume Cizeron. Papadakis described Cizeron as controlling and demanding during their extensive partnership, which spanned from childhood and resulted in numerous records and two Olympic medals.

Cizeron responded to the memoir, labeling it a "smear campaign" and expressing disagreement with the characterizations made against him. He asserted that their professional relationship was built on mutual respect, collaboration, and support. Due to Cizeron's participation in the upcoming games with a new partner, NBC determined that Papadakis's commentary would present a conflict of interest, impacting their ability to provide unbiased coverage.

Papadakis conveyed her distress and a feeling of unfairness regarding the job loss, stating she was eager to begin her commentary career. She emphasized that the book's publication schedule was established before Cizeron's Olympic return was announced, indicating no malicious intent on her part concerning his competition.