Celebs Gone Good had a chance to interview Olympic Gold Medalist, Nastia Liukin. Nastia dished about her charity work, the challenges of being a gymnast, her advice for other girls, and her work designing jeans for Vanilla Star!
CelebsGoneGood: Tell us what it was like after coming home from the Olympics. What has been your favorite perk? Favorite appearance?
Nastia Liukin: The last five months of my life have been absolutely crazy, fun, exciting, and the best times of my life! I have been able to meet so many amazing people, travel all over the world, and work with incredible photographers! One of my favorite photo shoots I did was for Women’s Wear Daily. Guy Aroch was the photographer and it was so much fun working with him! I got to be on talks shows, Leno, Oprah, Conan, and The View. I got to attend my first fashion week in N.Y., and sit front row at BCBG Max Azria and Peter Som. Most recently I did the spring campaign for Max Azria, which was a HUGE honor to be included in that. I launched my own line of clothing with Vanilla Star Jeans, called Nastia Gold, as well as my own line of leotards with GK Elite, that I designed! Now I am finally traveling a little less, so I am able to get back in the gym and start training for this year! I am really excited to get back to competing!
CGG: Can you tell us about your work with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation?
NL: Together with Saving Jane, we teamed up with the Susan G. Komen foundation. For every purchase of the song “Supergirl”, 10% is donated to the foundation.
CGG: How were you involved with Saving Jane’s song, “Supergirl” for this foundation?
NL:Before the Olympics, Saving Jane contacted me and asked if “Supergirl” could be my official theme song. I was honored for them to ask me!
CGG: Tell us about your experience with the WOGA Toy Joy Drive this past week?
NL: I have been involved with the Dallas Morning News Charity for about a year now. We decided to put together a toy drive right before Christmas and donated the toys to the children of the charity. Everyone that came had to bring at least one toy and in exchange got an autographed picture of me and Carly Patterson (2004 Olympic all-around champion).
CGG: What was your inspiration for creating your UGG boots to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital?
NL: Their theme this year was hope. I wanted to do something along that line, but at the same something simple. It was a lot of fun to draw on a pair of UGGs! 
CGG: What was it like to work on Gossip Girl?
NL:It was really fun being on set and meeting Leighton and Ed. I have been a big fan of the show, so to be able to have a small role in it was so cool!
CGG: You’ve had so many accomplishments this past year from your Olympic gold medal to being nominated for USSA’s 2008 Female Athlete of the year.
What would you consider to be your biggest professional accomplishment to date?
NL: I would have to say definitely winning the all-around gold medal. It has changed my life forever. It has given me so many opportunities that would have not been possible without it. I am very proud of that medal, it took many years of hard work, and it couldn’t have been done without both my parents.
CGG: What’s your ultimate goal for the future now that you’re already an Olympic champion?
NL:I am going to continue training and competing. The 2009 Visa Championships are in Dallas this year, my home town! So I am very excited about that! Aside from gymnastics, I am going to be actively working on getting more kids and teens involved in sports, and over all be healthy. Teenage obesity is a huge problem in the U.S. and I would really like to help make a change.
CGG: You’ve been involved in so many charities. What’s the cause that above all else is closest to your heart?
NL: I feel like so many people and great causes have been behind me and have supported me to achieve my ultimate goal at the Olympics. I love the feeling of giving back and helping others.
CGG: What are the challenges of being a gymnast? Do you feel pressured to keep a certain body image?
NL: Gymnastics is such a great way to stay in shape! I have never been worried about the way my body looks. I am thankful for what I have and the way I look. But I do know, that I work hard for that! Now that I am not in “competition shape” I am doing a lot more cardio work to get back in shape!
CGG: What advice do you have to girls to be true to themselves?
NL: Believe in yourself and your goals and dreams! Don’t let people tell you that you aren’t capable of doing something. If you believe you can, then you will!
Related Articles:
- Nastia Liukin Myspace Celeb
- Taylor Swift 6 American Music Award Nominations
- Justin Long and Ashley Greene team up for ‘Teens for Jeans’ campaign
- Katharine McPhee on cover of Shape magazine
- Former Idol star Carly Smithson’s new rock band
