Title: The Totally True Story Behind I, Tonya: The Turbulent Life of Tonya Harding
In 1994, figure skater Tonya Harding became embroiled in a scandal that rocked the world of competitive sports and captivated the public’s attention. The “Tonya Harding affair” involved a plot to assault and disable her rival, Nancy Kerrigan, at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The subsequent investigation and trial revealed a web of deceit, manipulation, and violence that stunned the nation. But what really happened behind the scenes? The new biopic, I, Tonya, attempts to tell the story of Tonya Harding’s life, warts and all. But is the film an accurate portrayal of the events that transpired?
Tonya Harding’s early life was marked by poverty and abuse. Born in Portland, Oregon, in 1970, Harding grew up in a troubled home with an abusive mother and a distant father. Her mother, LaVona Golden, was a harsh and critical figure who pushed Tonya to skate as a way to escape their difficult circumstances. Tonya’s early skating career was marked by triumph and tragedy, as she struggled to balance her training with her tumultuous home life.
As Tonya’s skating career began to take off, she found herself in the midst of a fierce rivalry with Nancy Kerrigan, a fellow American figure skater. The two women were known for their intense on-ice battles, with Kerrigan often emerging victorious. But off the ice, the tension between the two skaters was palpable.
The events that led to the assault on Nancy Kerrigan began in February 1994, when Tonya’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, and his friends, Shane Stant and Derrick Smith, conspired to attack Kerrigan at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit. The plan was to disable Kerrigan and thereby clear the way for Tonya to win the competition. The attack, which left Kerrigan with a severely bruised leg, was carried out on January 6, 1994.
The investigation that followed revealed a shocking web of deceit and corruption. It emerged that Jeff Gillooly, Tonya’s ex-husband, had orchestrated the attack in an attempt to silence Nancy Kerrigan and ensure Tonya’s victory. Tonya herself was initially suspected of being involved in the plot, but she denied any knowledge of the attack.
The subsequent trial and conviction of the perpetrators was a media sensation, with Tonya Harding’s name becoming synonymous with scandal and shame. The “Tonya Harding affair” was widely covered in the press, with many commentators speculating about the motivations behind the attack and the role Tonya herself had played in the plot.
I, Tonya, the new biopic, attempts to set the record straight by telling Tonya’s story in her own words. The film, directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Margot Robbie as Tonya, is a searing portrayal of the events that transpired. The film explores Tonya’s difficult childhood, her tumultuous marriage to Jeff Gillooly, and the pressures she faced as a competitive figure skater.
While the film takes some creative liberties with the events that transpired, it is generally faithful to the facts. Tonya Harding herself has given the film her blessing, stating that she believes it is an accurate portrayal of her life.
In conclusion, the story behind I, Tonya is a complex and controversial one. While the film may take some artistic liberties, it is generally an accurate portrayal of the events that transpired. Tonya Harding’s life was marked by tragedy, abuse, and scandal, but it was also marked by determination, resilience, and a passion for figure skating. The film is a must-see for anyone interested in the “Tonya Harding affair” and the turbulent life of Tonya Harding.