Talk show host asks out Adam Rippon during live TV interview
An out TV host took full advantage of his interview with Adam Rippon this week – to ask him on a date.
The Olympic bronze medallist has made very clear in previous interviews that he’s single and looking to mingle, and the message has definitely been received loud and clear.
Rippon was making an appearance on E!’s Daily Pop show this week when host Justin Sylvester took it in a surprising direction.
The anchor quizzed Rippon about sexting and his friendship with former skater Johnny Weir – before turning the interview to romance.
Sylvester asked Rippon: “Are you dating anyone right now?”
Rippon confirmed he was not, quipping: “Listen, anybody out there, let me know! I’ve just been so busy, I haven’t really had time.”
The TV host responded: “I’m just going to throw this out there… when you come to LA, I want to take you out on a date.
“Let’s grab drinks, your choice, or I can show you my LA, and we can just kick it!”
Rippon appeared a bit taken aback by the line of questioning.
He responded: “Wow. I love it. I love to just kick it.”
The skater then accepted a rose from Sylvester, who added: “I’m going to get your number from my producer, and I’m going to hit you up, and we’re going to go on that date!”
It’s unclear if the skater took him up on the offer.
Rippon has had to fend off date requests left and right recently, having had a rather public advance from actress Sally Field on behalf of her gay son.
The pair actually did later meet up, though Rippon added that they’re likely to just be friends.
The figure skater also received a public proposition from a guy who went viral rescuing a police van from a blizzard dressed as Elsa from Frozen.
The man took advantage of his five minutes of fame to lay out his terms: He will not be going on the Ellen DeGeneres show unless Rippon is also there.
Some fans expressed amazement that so many people were taking advantage of their public platforms in order to ask out the Olympian. [Note: Hey Adam, if you’re reading this… call me!]
Rippon is now working with LGBT charity GLAAD on a youth engagement campaign.
(Getty)
Speaking with Ellen DeGeneres earlier this month, the activist said: “I’m working with GLAAD’s youth engagement program and you know this is so important because we’re reaching these kids and they’re becoming activists in their community. When I was young, to have somebody out there that I could’ve looked up to, it would’ve made a world of difference, and it would’ve changed my life.
“When I was young, I had a goldfish named Princess Diana, and that should have been the writing on the wall for me.
“I also had a goldfish name Diaria, spelled diarrhea, for balance. It’s a family name.
“But to have these young kids going out there and changing the world. This is something that I need to be a part of.”
“It is really important for the youth out there to have somebody, and have a face on television and sports and every area, and say that there are gay people everywhere, and know you’re not alone.
“One in five kids today identify with some sort of LGBTQ identity. That’s one in five. Right here, we’re two for two.
“So look to your left. Look to your right. And if nobody’s gay, you’re probably the one!”
(YouTube/theellenshow)
It was also announced that Rippon will join Britney Spears onstage at the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards next month (April 12).
The pair have previously tweeted their adoration for each other.
During the Olympics, Britney tweeted: “Hey @Adaripp…. I just wanted let you know that I am a fan, I am not in denial, and that you are THE MOST FUN!! Keep making us all smile at the #WinterOlympics and good luck today ✨⛸”.
He responded: “I could feel you on the ice with me @britneyspears. I now have an OVERWHELMING desire to post Instagram fashion shows, google stock imagines of corn, and paint on the balcony of my dorm in the Olympic village. Thank you for not being in denial, LOVE YOU”.
Speaking to Rippon, Ellen said: “I love you so much. I don’t know what I’m going to do with you, but I’m doing something with you.
“I want you to do something on the show. You’re fantastic, and we want to be the first to make a donation to your fundraiser.”
The talk show host surprised the athlete with a $10,000 donation to the cause.
Rippon said: “I’m an openly gay man competing at the Olympics. and [to interact with] somebody who thinks that gay people might be this societal collapse of our nation, I didn’t feel like it was the right time.
“If I had the chance to have a call with him now, I have nothing to say to Mike Pence. That’s not a conversation for me.
“I think going to the Olympics, it’s given me a really great platform to give a voice to people who feel like they don’t have one.
“So if that call were to happen I would say, you know what, it’s not for me. It’s for those people whose lives have been affected and changed by legislation that he’s pushed.
“It’s a chance for them to share their stories and their experiences. It’s not for me.
“I would hope and pray that he is open enough to sit down and hear people’s stories and meet these people that he has those feelings about.”
Rippon said he was still a “hot mess” despite his rise in media profile.
He said: “I’m still the same old hot mess I was 10 years ago. I’m still that same person.
“My life has completely changed, but at the core I am still that same old disaster.”
Rippon wore a ‘&’ pin on the show, to show solidarity for those most vulnerable to discrimination in the current cultural and political climate.
Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, said: “This year America fell in love with our LGBTQ Olympians, and Adam Rippon stood out in that esteemed crowd with his activism, passion, humor, and willingness to always be himself.
“Adam is a champion who will accelerate acceptance for LGBTQ youth and inspire them to achieve their dreams while proudly living their truth.”
