Michael Kuluva – Ice Prince

Q.  Can you tell us about the current projects that you are working on?

A.  Hi Starry Constellation Magazine!  Right now I am currently on tour with Disney On Ice “Jungle Adventures” show in China.

Q.  What made you want to be a part of this tour in China?

A.  I have been touring with this show since March of 2002.  I have been throughout North America, Japan, Europe and now China with the show.  I have never been to China and I have heard amazing stories about this country.  I never thought I would have the chance to visit this part of the world so I am very excited about it. 

Q.  What have you been able to see while you’ve been there?

A.  We have been pretty busy ever since we stepped off the plane here in China but I have been able to sightsee and to experience some of the Chinese culture while I have been here.  I was in Hangzou last week and was fortunate enough to visit the local night market and to see the West Lake.  I am currently in Shanghai right now and I just came back from the market scene and downtown.  I will be visiting the Pearl Tower and the Jade Buddha Temple this week.  Next week in Beijing I will be visiting the Great Wall of China which I am looking forward to seeing in person!

Q.  How did you originally become involved in skating?

A.  I used to roller skate in front of my house a lot when I was young.  One day my parents took me to a local ice rink for fun and I grasped the concept very fast.  The next day I was signed up for group lessons, then eventually progressing into private lessons, and then to competing.

Q.  Do you have a most memorable moment from being in China so far?

A.  I would have to say skating the first show of the tour is my most memorable moment so far.  I have been off the ice for about 6 months before this tour with hip injuries and it was so amazing to come back strong to the tour.  My body feels great and I feel like I am back in shape ready to go for another world tour!

Q.  You keep an online journal on your site, why is this an important aspect for you to include?

A.   I feel having an online journal is important for many reasons.  One being that my friends and family don’t get to see me as much because of all this traveling.  It makes it easier for them to keep updated with what is going on in my life and to hear some interesting stories from my travels.  I also feel that it is important to connect with fans on a personal basis because they have been incredible throughout my career.  

Q.  What has been your inspiration for Crown Prince Couture?

A.  I have a couple inspirations for designing Crown Prince Couture.  One of them was to make smaller sizes for people.  I am a small person and it is difficult to find certain sizes. I wanted to make a line that would cater to smaller individuals.  Also, I don’t like mass production of clothing.  I like to be unique and to be an individual with my own style.  I didn’t want to have clothing that I saw on everyone so Crown Prince Couture produces limited amounts of our items making them unique and rare. 

Q.  How does your clothing line differ from the various clothing lines out there in stores today?

Q.  Besides skating and clothing, do you have any other ambitions?

Q.  What was it like being able to be a part of the movie The Cutting Edge 2?

A.  Amazing!!  I was about 8 or 9 years old when the first Cutting Edge movie came to theaters, which was around the time I started to compete in figure skating.  The first movie inspired me a lot when I was younger to be on the Olympic team and to reach my goals.  Being part of The Cutting Edge 2 was a dream come true and I was honored to be a part of it! 

Q.  Is there a male figure skater that you really look up to?

A.  There are many male figure skaters that I look up to.  One in particular would have to be Scott Hamilton.  He has overcome so much in his lifetime and has achieved so much.  Besides being an incredible skater, he is a down to earth guy that is great with business, charity and people.  He is definitely a role model to a lot of male and female figure skaters. 

Q.  What would you like to say to fans and supporters of your career?