Liukin's Publicist -- The Real Nasty-a

31. Why does Liukin even NEED a publicist? I think she needs to come back down to earth. What happened to gymnasts (or any athletes) who do gymnastics for the pure love of the sport and victory? I think it is incredible, actually, that a gymnast can make a living doing gymnastics. It doesn't get much better than that. But I don't like pushy agents and publicists who forget that their clients are KIDS. This girl just earned several Olympic medals. She should be celebrating, doing the talk show circuit, and watching DVD's of her performances or whatever, not being paraded around by a publicist and ending up in tabloids. Okay, there I said it. PS, to whoever her agent is, the American public fell in love with this kid for the grace, confidence, and determination she displayed on the grandest of sporting stages. Don't try to turn her into something she's not, because it will just result in a lot of backlash. I'm sure she didn't win medals just to get famous and one of the reasons why people get so drawn to Olympic athletes is because they aren't just doing it for the money.

Posted at 3:40PM on Aug 26th 2008 by JRL

32. Johnson>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Lukin

Posted at 3:56PM on Aug 26th 2008 by jojo12

33. I saw Nastia at DFW airport and went up to tell her what a good job she did and that I enjoyed the Olympics. I didn't ask for an autograph or a picture. She looked at me like I was something under her foot. She was so snotty with her smirk and attitude, unbelievable. I am 48 years old and could not believe how disrespectful she was. Manners should have been part of her training.

Posted at 3:52PM on Aug 26th 2008 by Very Disappointed

34. 18 year old kids should really not have publicists. They are way too young, unless they want to become nutjobs like the rest of Hollywood. And there's no way all those people would have known to show up outside the restaurant unless they were told she was going to be there. So who told them? The not-so-nice publicist? Has the publicist ever hear of, "Sorry, Nastia can't sign autographs at this time." She doesn't have to be fricking rude. I wouldn't mind, but the autograph seeker was a little kid. At least be respectful, publicist lady.

I like watching gymnastics on TV, but I don't really care when this girl goes to eat with her lousy publicist. Get off her back, Tabloid-y people.

Posted at 5:13PM on Aug 26th 2008 by Yeah

35. i just want to know who that guy is holding the door for them. ( the guy with the brown longish hair)

Posted at 6:51PM on Aug 26th 2008 by j m

36.

She won the gold in all aroond ; quit yer belly achin ' .

Posted at 7:21PM on Aug 27th 2008 by Upside Down Girl

37. I belive that she would have signed autographs if her publicist wasn't there.

Posted at 12:39PM on Aug 28th 2008 by Andy H

38. OUTSIDE LETTERMAN. There's a difference between signing autographs at a press call and being asked to sign while out to dinner. Although we love to say that celebrities are so great and sweet when we bother them while they are out on personal missions, they by no means should be required, BY ANY STANDARDS, to sign autographs. Nastia's publicist was right. It would have been above and beyond for Nastia to interrupt her personal time to sign autographs. NO ONE should be criticized for behavior otherwise.

Let's talk about how rude it is to jump on a famous person while they are clearly out for a personal dinner. But then, for some reason, the rudeness is acceptable. Nastia knows this media attention isn't going to last long. She'll handle it accordingly.

Posted at 5:14AM on Sep 1st 2008 by Tara