The ice dancers and real life couple even shared a sweet dance together while at the big event, alongside their teammates.
During their Olympic experience, Madison and Evan spent both Valentine’s Day, AND his birthday together there.
While Madison and Evan missed the podium after their skates collided in the free dance, they shared a million thanks to all the support they received afterwards.
“I can’t even begin to describe how grateful I am for all the love and kind messages I have received,” Madisonwrote. “It’s been overwhelmingly beautiful. We obviously didn’t have a perfect skate but we put our whole hearts into our performance from start to finish.”
She adds, “It was our goal to share a message of hope and peace with this program and I feel humbled by the amount of support and positivity we have received. Thank you so much.”
The 18-year-old Russian figure skater, who won two silver medals, was able to meet the eight-piece K-pop band ahead of the closing ceremonies, where they performed.
“Dreams come true,” Evgenia captioned on her Instagram, with several heart emojis. Later on, she showed off the album she received from the band, which they all signed.
During the closing performance, EXO performed a collection of their most famous songs, including “Power” and “Growl”. Just the night before, Evgenia was seen performing at the figure skating gala.
Gus Kenworthy is finishing up another Winter Olympics by saving dogs in need.
The Team USA Olympic skier shared his latest experience with fans on Instagram on Friday (February 23) during the 2018 Winter Olympics, explaining that he and his boyfriend Matthew Wilkas adopted a puppy named Beemo from one of South Korea’s numerous dog meat farms.
“This morning Matt and I had a heart-wrenching visited to one of the 17,000 dog farms here in South Korea,” Gus captioned the slideshow below. “Across the country there are 2.5 million dogs being raised for food in some of the most disturbing conditions imaginable. Yes, there is an argument to be made that eating dogs is a part of Korean culture. And, while [I] don’t personally agree with it, I do agree that it’s not my place to impose western ideals on the people here. The way these animals are being treated, however, is completely inhumane and culture should never be a scapegoat for cruelty.”
Beemo was one of 90 dogs living in cold, cramped outdoor cages and neglectful, cruel conditions.
Good news: Gus shared that the farm they visited is being shut down, and all of the pups are being flown to the U.S. and Canada, where they will be put up for adoption with the help of Humane Society International.
“I’m hoping to use this visit as an opportunity to raise awareness to the inhumanity of the dog meat trade here in Korea and the plight of dogs everywhere, including back home in the US where millions of dogs are in need of loving homes!” Gus added. “Go to @hsiglobal’s page to see how you can help.”
The 15-year-old figure skater was crowned after the free skate, where she earned a grand total of 239.57 points (a combination of her free and short programs).
The 24-year-old figure skater says that she’s “very happily occupied in a relationship. His name is Darian…[we’ve been together for] three and a half years.”
Darian, an actor, has appeared on episodes of Mad Men and Good Luck Charlie.
“He handles my insanity very well,” Mirai adds about why they’re the perfect fit for one another.
Check out all the cute pics of Mirai and Darian below!
Just before the short program competition, Mirai, Karen and Bradie all sat down for a press conference where the younger two opened up about how Mirai has inspired them on, and off the ice — especially with that triple axel.
“When she nailed the triple axel, I jumped up screaming,” Bradieremembered, speaking of the team event where Team USA earned the bronze medal. “It was just incredible.”
Karen added, “She will inspire so many younger skaters that the impossible is possible. I think that I see a future [where] all of us could potentially have a triple axel as long as we have the grit like Mirai.”
Mirai joked moments later, “I’m available for lessons.”
But the triple axel isn’t just what Karen and Bradie like about Mirai.
“Just kind of watching how [Mirai] interacts with people and the way she handles herself,” Bradie adds. “I must confess to trying to be a little bit like her.”
The ladies’ free skate will take place Thursday, February 22nd on NBC.
Speaking with reporters in South Korea, the 24-year-old figure skater has two more triple axels planned — one in her short program and another in the long program.
“Maybe I’ll fall; maybe I’ll land it,” Mirai shared. “But right now my mind-set is I’m going to nail it. And I believe…I’m definitely going for it: No guts, no glory.”
She adds, “If I fall, I’ll take the fall and get up and keep going.”
Mirai is also hoping for a spot on that podium too — “I want it so badly. Like, I wanna be there. I want to prove myself, not just to myself, but to the judges.”
“And so I put a lot of pressure on myself because I wanna do well. But, I think, I think when I’m in that mindset, and with the right focus– I look back and think, ‘Oh my God, is that me? That’s (laughter) amazing.’ Like…and I just enjoy that performance aspect of skating.”
The ladies’ short program starts tonight @ 8PM ET/PT on NBC.
