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Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

'I, Tonya' builds empathy for villainized Tonya Harding

Margot Robbie as  Tonya Harding at the 1994 Olympics in "I, Tonya."

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By Madeleine Brand • Dec 15, 2017 • 1 min read

Margot Robbie as Tonya Harding at the 1994 Olympics in "I, Tonya."

In 1994, beloved figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was clubbed in the knees right before the Olympic games. Jeff Gillooly, the ex-husband of Kerrigan’s teammate (and competitor) Tonya Harding, confessed to hiring a hitman to sabotage Kerrigan. He spent 18 months in prison. But the real blame fell on Tonya Harding. The media painted her as a storybook villain from the wrong side of the tracks. She was banned from professional skating for life. That story is the subject of the new film “I, Tonya.”

Margot Robbie and director Craig Gillespie on the set of "I, Tonya."

Photos courtesy of Neon and 30West.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Madeleine Brand

    Host, 'Press Play'

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    Gina Pollack

    Producer

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    Sarah Sweeney

    Vice President of Talk Programming, KCRW

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    Michell Eloy

    Line Editor, Press Play

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    Craig Gillespie

    director of "I,Tonya"

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