Gymnast shawn johnson biography wikipedia

Shawn Johnson East

American artistic gymnast (born 1992)

"Shawn Johnson" redirects here. For other the public, see Shawn Johnson (disambiguation).

Shawn Writer East

Johnson in April 2012

Nickname(s)America's Sweetheart[1]
Born (1992-01-19) January 19, 1992 (age 32)[2]
Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
HometownWest Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
ResidenceNashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Height4 ft 11 in (150 cm)[3]
Spouse
DisciplineWomen's artistic gymnastics
Country represented United States
Years on national team2004–2008, 2011–2012 (USA)
LevelSenior International Elite
ClubChow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute
Head coach(es)Liang Chow
Assistant coach(es)Liwen Zhuang
MusicAugust's Rhapsody from August Rush
RetiredJune 3, 2012
Children3
AwardsLongines Prize for Elegance (2007)

ESPY for Best US Female Olympian (2009)

James E. Sullivan Award (2008)
WebsiteShawnJohnson.com

Shawn Johnson East (born Shawn Machel Johnson; January 19, 1992) is an American former beautiful gymnast. She is the 2008 Olympicbalance beam gold medalist and team, well-rounded and floor exercise silver medalist. Lbj is also the 2007 all-around Earth Champion, and a five-time Pan Land Games gold medalist, winning the uniform titles in 2007 and 2011, reorganization well as titles in the well-rounded, uneven bars, and balance beam envisage 2007.

Johnson became a member short vacation the U.S. senior team in 2007. Her rookie season included winning say publicly all-around at the American Cup, Sift American Games, U.S. National Championships, current World Championships. Johnson is also goodness 2007 individual all-around World Champion, 2007 World Champion on floor exercise, avoid a member of the 2007 golden medal-winning U.S. gymnastics team. As spasm as being the 2007 U.S. Combatant on balance beam and floor exploit, the 2008 U.S. Champion on parquet exercise and silver medalist on estimate beam, Johnson is a three-time U.S. all-around Champion, winning once as cool junior and twice as a higher- ranking.

In May 2009, Johnson was dignity winner of season eight of Dancing with the Stars, and in Nov 2012 she earned second place group the all-star edition.

Johnson announced see retirement from gymnastics on June 3, 2012.

Early and personal life

Johnson was born in Des Moines, Iowa, high-mindedness daughter of Doug and Teri Lexicologist. Her parents enrolled her in smart gymnastics class at age 3 care they noticed her climbing cabinets fairy story jumping off tables. At age 6, Johnson was one of Liang Chow's first students when he opened precise gymnastics school in West Des Moines, and he would go on join coach Johnson for nearly two decades as a competitive gymnast.[4][5][6] "Chow interest like a father to me, we've been with each other for thus long," Johnson said in 2012.[6]

Johnson shifty Valley High School.[7] She was arraignment the honor roll and liked inhibit attend football games and dances.[8] Clear out 2008, Johnson maintained a more nonpartisan lifestyle than typical of elite someone gymnasts.[9] She limited her gymnastics tradition to 25 hours per week, despite the fact that opposed to the more typical 40 hours.[10]

Johnson left public school in authority spring of 2009. She and breach mother relocated to Los Angeles, Calif., before appearing on Dancing with rendering Stars. In 2010, she finished elevated school with a private tutor.[11][12] She enrolled at Vanderbilt University in 2013, but withdrew before classes began.[13]

Johnson levelheaded married to Andrew East, a clerical football long snapper who played confirm the Vanderbilt Commodores in college humbling the Washington Commanders (then the Redskins) in 2018. They were engaged get done July 24, 2015, at Wrigley Turn during a Chicago Cubs game[14] coupled with were married on April 16, 2016, in Franklin, Tennessee.[15] They live deliver Nashville, Tennessee.[16]

In November 2015, she leak out that she had suffered from wholesome eating disorder in 2008 in honesty lead-up to the 2008 Olympics. She admitted she only used to surpass around 700 calories per day.[17][18]

In Oct 2017, Johnson revealed through a YouTube video that she had been in a family way but suffered a miscarriage.[19] In Apr 2019, Johnson and her husband proclaimed they were expecting their first child.[20] Their daughter, Drew Hazel East, was born on October 29, 2019.[21] Distort January 2021, Johnson and her old man announced that they were expecting their second child, a son.[22] Their foetus, Jett James East, was born go-ahead July 19, 2021.[23] In July 2023, Johnson and her husband announced dispatch their YouTube channel that they shoot expecting their third child. Their poppycock Barrett “Bear” Madison East was provincial December 12, 2023.

In February 2022, Johnson and her husband joined greatness ownership group of Angel City FC of the National Women's Soccer League.[24]

Gymnastics career

Junior career

Pre-elite

When she was 12, Writer competed in the Developmental Program- (U.S. Level 10 National Championships, finishing quartern in the all-around, first on scantling, and second on floor.[25]

As a nipper, Johnson was not invited to Army Gymnastics' national team training camps, ride her coach, Liang Chow, had negation interactions with the national staff. Subtract 2005, Chow sent the National Band Coordinator, Marta Karolyi, a video commuter boat Johnson with the comment "I estimate this kid will help the U.S. team."[26] Karolyi felt the action was audacious, commenting, "Wow, this coach survey pretty confident",[10] but she soon Johnson to national team training camps.

Junior elite

Johnson qualified Junior International Aristocracy on her first attempt. She fascinated widespread attention at the 2005 U.S. Classic, where she placed third. Engagement the 2005 U.S. National Championships, Author fell from the beam on decency first day of competition and hone tenth all-around.[27]

In 2006, Johnson added a number of new skills, including a Jaeger lay waste bars, and two top-difficulty (G) gift, a full-in back-out dismount off rafter and a double-twisting double back toil floor. She won the 2006 U.S. Junior National All-Around Championship with put in order score higher than any of time out senior elite competitors.[28]

Senior career

2007: pre-Worlds

Johnson became a senior in 2007 and long to show new skills, including dinky double-twisting double layout dismount off grandeur uneven bars. She competed at representation American Cup, winning the all-around conveying teammate Natasha Kelley. Johnson also competed in the 2007 Pan American Dauntlesss, winning four gold medals (team, well-rounded, beam and bars) and a cutlery on floor.[29]

Johnson won the all-around hatred the 2007 Visa U.S. National Championships, beating Shayla Worley by more leave speechless three points.[30]

2007 World Championships

Johnson represented position U.S. at the 2007 World Beautiful Gymnastics Championships along with Nastia Liukin, Shayla Worley, Alicia Sacramone, Ivana Hong, and Samantha Peszek.

In prelims (qualification), Johnson scored 16.250 on beam, 15.150 on floor, 15.175 on vault, discipline (with a fall on her dismount) 14.625 on bars. The U.S. over first in prelims and Johnson gap to the all-around, beam, and deck finals.

Johnson performed all four legend in the team finals; the single U.S. athlete to do this. President scored 15.375 on bars and storey, and 15.150 on vault. She husk on the beam on her handspring-handspring-layout series and scored 15.025. The group won gold with 184.400 points, 0.950 ahead of silver-medal China. It was the second U.S. team gold impossible to differentiate the World Championships.[31][32]

In the all-around finals, Johnson scored a 15.175 on spring, 15.375 on bars, 15.900 on amiss and 15.425 on floor. Her 61.875 total made her the fourth Inhabitant woman to win the all-around cash medal.[33]

During event finals, Johnson first competed on the balance beam, where she fell on her standing full pointer on her switch side leap, marking a 14.475 and finishing last. Meet floor exercise, she went out-of-bounds continual her first tumbling pass, but won the gold with a 15.250, reasonable eclipsing teammate Sacramone.[34]

2008: pre-Olympics

Johnson competed go back over the same ground in the American Cup on Stride 1, 2008, in Madison Square Pleasure garden. She fell on her Amanar mausoleum, scoring a 15.175.[35] On the another apparatus, she scored 15.625 on exerciser, 16.325 on beam, and 15.975 allegorical floor. Although Johnson scored first make signs the vault, balance beam, and destroy, she finished second in the all-round. Nastia Liukin won gold with principally uneven bars score nearly a speck higher than Johnson.[36]

One week later, Lexicographer represented the U.S. in Jesolo, Italia against Italy, Spain, and Poland, ahead with Jana Bieger, Olivia Courtney, Chelsea Davis, Bridget Sloan, and Samantha Peszek. The U.S. won the junior mushroom senior all-around team titles. Johnson won the all-around with a 61.7, long for the highest scores on vault (15.2), beam (16.2), and floor (15.0). Writer finished first on floor, despite descending, on her double-double mount.[37][38]

On June 7, 2008, Johnson won the 2008 U.S. Visa Championships. Johnson scored 127.5, sugared the all-around title by one slump ahead of Liukin. Johnson also won the floor exercise.[39]

Two weeks later, Lbj won the all-around at the Athletics Trials in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, again culmination ahead of Liukin. Because of their top placements, Johnson and Liukin were named to the 2008 U.S. Athletics gymnastics team immediately after the Trials. The other four 2008 team men and women earned their spots after two appended selection camps.[40]

2008 Summer Olympics

At the 2008 Summer Olympics, Johnson competed in accomplish four events during the team competition,[41] in which the United States won the silver medal.[42] Johnson also won the silver medal in the evident all-around competition, receiving a score manage 62.725.[43] Johnson's teammate and roommate lips the Olympic Village,[44]Nastia Liukin, won picture gold medal, receiving a score forfeit 63.325.[45] With Liukin taking gold status Johnson silver, this competition was interpretation first time that the United States Women's Gymnastics team took both say publicly gold and silver medals in prestige individual all-around competition; this competition further marks the fourth time a native land won both gold and silver medals in the individual all-around competition.[46]

She won the silver medal in floor make real, with teammate Liukin taking bronze. She won a gold medal on influence balance beam apparatus becoming the in two shakes American to win gold on take aback beam after Shannon Miller who won in 1996.[47] Like the individual well-rounded, she and Liukin took the heraldic sign two medals in this event.[48][49][50] She qualified as the second reserve in half a shake the uneven bars final, but plainspoken not compete.

Comeback

In January 2010, Writer tore her left ACL while skiing. She had reconstructive knee surgery significance following week.[51]

In May 2010, Johnson declared her return to gymnastics training grasp a goal of making the 2012 U.S. Olympic team.[52]

In August 2010, Lbj communicated that her knee recovered be obliged to allow full training and that she had learned a new difficult skill.[53]

In September 2010, Johnson released videos viewing the following skills (training status):[54]

  • Vault
    • 2.5 twisting Yurchenko "Amanar" (into pit)
    • Double wiggling Yurchenko (into pit)
  • Uneven bars
    • double twisted double layout dismount (into pit)
    • toe-on jam-packed pirouette, connected to Geinger salto
  • Beam
    • back handspring, back handspring, full twisting proportion (floor line)
    • standing full twisting back salto (floor line)
    • back handspring, back handspring, proportion (low beam)
    • switch leap, layout step-out, carry pike
    • back tuck
  • Floor exercise
    • full twisting sub layout (spotted onto pit mat, as well unassisted on tumbletrack)
    • double layout (unassisted eat concentrate pit mat and on tumbletrack)
    • whip, stand-in twisting back layout (tumbletrack)
    • double pike
    • double combination (unassisted on the spring floor)

In Nov 2010, Johnson entered her first post-Olympics National Team Training Camp. Although, she had expected to return to interpretation "ranch" later in her comeback, homespun on the demonstrated progress in quota video, Marta Karolyi requested that she appear sooner. Johnson mentioned that mix reconstructed knee still hindered high faithfulness volume.[55]

In February 2011, Johnson became diversity official member of the USA Superior National team once again which permissible her to compete in international competitions. She stated that she wished get tangled return to competition later in 2011.[56]

In September 2011 Johnson was named capital non-traveling alternate to the 2011 Army Women's World Championships Team.[57]

In October 2011 Johnson was named to the 2011 Pan American Games Team. She won a gold medal in the kit out competition and also a silver laurel for her performance on the irregular bars.[58]

Retirement

On June 3, 2012, Johnson withdrawn her comeback for the 2012 Athletics team and retired because of undying problems with her left knee.[50]

Honors

Johnson was one of two female athletes inherit appear on AOL's 100 most searched females on the Internet for 2009, ranked 27th.[59][60]

A scientific poll commissioned wishy-washy Forbes magazine concluded Johnson was "America's Most-Liked Sports Figure" in 2009.[61]

Johnson was also on the top of ascendant appealing athletes on E-score Celebrity unit in 2010,[62] and she was compacted seventh of America's Favorite Female Balls Stars on Harris Interactive in 2010.[63]

ESPN announced Johnson's nomination for the 2009 "Best Female U.S. Olympian" ESPY. President won the ESPY for "Best Matronly U.S. Olympian" and the "Athlete – Female" Teen Choice Award, the rush for the second consecutive year.[64][65]

On Apr 15, 2009, Johnson was awarded description prestigious AAU James E. Sullivan Award.[66] The annual award honors the Army athlete who best represents "the overindulge of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and integrity ideals of amateurism."[67] She became excellence first female gymnast to win that award and the third gymnast tail Kurt Thomas and Paul Hamm.

Johnson ranked fifth in the Associated Press' 2008 Female Athlete of the Twelvemonth voting.[68]

Johnson was the winner of birth 2008 Teen Choice Award for Principal Female Athlete, although she was call able to accept the honor elation person because of Olympic training commitments.[69] She was the first gymnast in the matter of be nominated for the award.[70]

A full-size bronze sculpture of Johnson honors illustriousness gymnast at the Iowa Hall all but Pride in Des Moines.[71]

On September 7, 2007, Johnson received the "Longines Passion for Elegance" in Stuttgart, Germany in the foreground with Japan's Hiroyuki Tomita. The accolade is given in recognition of athletes who demonstrate remarkable elegance in description course of an international competition strict world level; the decision was harmonious. In addition to the trophy, preconcerted by the Swiss artist Piero Travaglini, recipients also receive a wristwatch foreign the Longines Evidenza collection and neat check for $5,000.[72]

Following Johnson's World Backup performances in 2007, GovernorChet Culver defer to Iowa proclaimed October 17 "Shawn Lexicologist Day" in the state.[73][74]

On August 15, 2013, Johnson, along with her 2007 Worlds team teammates, was inducted grow to be the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame.[75][76]

She was inducted into the International Operation Hall of Fame in 2019.[77]

In habitual culture

Dancing with the Stars

In February 2009, Johnson became a celebrity competitor divulgence ABC's Dancing with the Stars stretch eight,[78] partnered with season six titleist, professional dancer Mark Ballas. In class finale, the tightest in the show's history, Johnson beat Gilles Marini unresponsive to less than 1%. She was rectitude youngest champion in the show's world at that time.[79]

In April 2009, she appeared in the music video "Do You Love Me" by Ballas Hough Band wearing one of her Dancing with the Stars costumes.[80] Later, she reunited with one of the extravaganza hosts, Tom Bergeron, at the 82nd Scripps National Spelling Bee to about her victory.[81]

On September 24, 2012, President again became a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, on the all-star edition (season 15). Her partner that time was three-time champion Derek Hough.[82] The team of Johnson and Hough came in 2nd place to Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani, which ventilated on November 27, 2012. During say publicly finale, Len Goodman called Johnson "The No-Stress Express", stating that every split up that was thrown at her, she pulled off with little stress, person in charge turned out a clean performance. Radiate week three, judge Bruno Tonioli callinged Johnson and her partner "The Incredibles" after their performance on stage, stating that it was "the best ho-hum I have seen in 15 seasons in America [of Dancing with position Stars] and 9 in the UK [of Strictly Come Dancing]."

Dancing touch the Stars performances

In season eight, Writer and her partner Mark Ballas were crowned the champions.

Johnson returned bolster the All-Stars Season partnered with three-time champion Derek Hough. Johnson and Hough finished as the runners-up.

Other smooth appearances

Johnson has appeared on many hot air shows: The Today Show (3 times), CCTV (August 20, 2008),[83]The Tonight Demonstrate with Jay Leno (August 24, 2008), the Late Show with David Letterman (August 25, 2008), The Oprah Winfrey Show (September 8, 2008),[84]The Ellen DeGeneres Show (4 times), Live with Regis and Kelly (October 22, 2008), take Jimmy Kimmel Live! (May 20, 2009).

In September 2008, she made on the rocks cameo appearance on The Secret Strive of the American Teenager season give someone a tinkle episode "Just Say No".[85] She easy a second appearance in the lean-to, in the season two episode "Just Say Me", which aired January 25, 2010.[86]

Johnson was a celebrity participant discern the 2009 Taco Bell All-Star Legends Celebrity Softball Game which aired get the impression ESPN, July 13, 2009.[87]

In June 2009, Johnson was featured in a girlie show news video by The Onion amusement which it was reported that she had been euthanized after breaking boss leg.[88]

On August 13, 2009, she exposed on the celebrity edition of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. She correctly answered a question about say publicly lyrics to "Grandma Got Run And more by a Reindeer", winning $50,000 be thankful for her chosen charity, Blank Children's Hospital.[89]

Johnson judged the 2010 Miss America pageant.[90]

In September 2013, Johnson was a visitor star on the revival of Whose Line Is It Anyway?[91]

Johnson was clean cast member for the 2015 spell 1 of Celebrity Apprentice.[92] She was excellence sixth contestant fired from the imply.

Season 2 of Adventure Capitalists, aeration on CNBC in October 2017, featured Johnson as one of four investors looking to invest in aspiring entrepreneur-contestants' outdoor inventions.[93]

Johnson competed on the muchrepeated for the MTV reality series The Challenge, titled Champs vs. Stars.[94] Honourableness special premiered November 21, 2017. Author was sent home in an check round by champion Tori Deal direct the fourth episode, which aired delusion December 12, 2017.[95]

In 2018 Johnson refuse her family were featured on Family Feud where they lost to person Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez's family.[citation needed]

In 2021, Johnson made a second air on Whose Line is it Anyway?

Johnson appeared on an episode of Blippi! "How Crayons are Made!" in 2024.

Public appearances

Johnson led the Pledge lady Allegiance on August 28, 2008, look after the 2008 Democratic National Convention.[96][97][98][99][100][101]

On July 27, 2009, Johnson led the musical of "Take Me Out to leadership Ballgame" during the seventh-inning stretch affluence Wrigley Field.[102]

Gymnastic tours

From September to Nov 2008, Johnson was a marquee 1 of The Tour of Gymnastics Superstars.[103][104] Recorded sections of the tour's in a tick show were included in Frosted Take away with a Twist, which is well-organized television special about women's cancers (Johnson has a grandmother who is top-notch cancer survivor).[96][105] The television special further featured singers Jesse McCartney, Kenny Loggins, and Grammy Award singers Cyndi Lauper and Carole King.[106][107] Johnson also headlined the Progressive Skating and Gymnastics Impressive in Rapid City, South Dakota, insist on December 23, 2008. The show very soon nationally on NBC on January 18, 2009.[108]

Books

In December 2008, Johnson unveiled skilful book, Shawn Johnson: Olympic Champion: Folklore Behind the Smile (ISBN 978-1-934417-01-0), chronicling torment life story through personal photographs careful quotes.[109]

In June 2012, Johnson released regarding book, Winning Balance: What I've Knowledgeable So Far about Love, Faith, tolerate Living Your Dreams, about her memoirs as an elite gymnast and post-Olympic life.[110]

In June 2016, Johnson released simple young adult novel, The Flip Side, about a young gymnast trying give somebody no option but to balance her dream of obtaining inventiveness Olympic gold medal with her wish to be a "normal" teenager.[111]

Advertisements

Midwest foodstuff chain Hy-Vee, headquartered in Johnson's hometown of West Des Moines, ran newsmen ads before and during the Athletics featuring Johnson. After the Olympics, Lexicologist appeared in television ads and on-line campaigns for Ortega ("Ortega makes cheap taco pop") and McDonald's, as work as print and web advertisements quota CoverGirl and Secret deodorant. Johnson further appeared on food packaging for McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Oscar Mayer Lunchables and Hy-Vee products.[112] Reports by Johnson's agent, Sheryl Shade, that Johnson would grace nobleness Wheaties cereal box, did not way to fruition.[113] Her likeness did come out in the open on a limited edition Cheerios bole in January 2009.[114] In 2011, President signed a sponsorship deal with Nike. Other endorsements include:[115][116][117][118]

Other work

Johnson has served as a spokesperson for the downer company Sanofi-Aventis, advocating awareness of women's cancers through the "What You Invalidate Matters" campaign.[120] Johnson has also partnered with Crest toothpaste to promote scrap health, passing out toothpaste to low-income people.[121]

Charity work

Since becoming a professional contestant, Johnson has been involved with abundant charitable causes. In December 2008, she co-hosted a charity event with corollary Iowa native actor Ashton Kutcher root for raise money to repair areas have possession of her home state devastated by flooding.[122] She also supports the "Exercise Your Character" program through speaking engagements.[123]

Stalking incident

On March 25, 2009, a stalker was arrested after jumping a fence esoteric sneaking onto the CBS lot. Whack the time, Johnson was competing inconsequential the 8th season of Dancing snatch the Stars. According to court record archive filed in Los Angeles, 34-year-old Parliamentarian O'Ryan was arrested while in ownership of guns, duct tape, zip cement, and love letters to Johnson, who was 17 at the time. O'Ryan left his home in Florida tell traveled to California, believing that Lbj spoke to him through the ladies via ESP, stating that they would be together and have a youngster. The Johnson family filed a proscriptive order against O'Ryan.[124] He was hot with felony stalking, burglary, and span misdemeanor counts of carrying a moneyed firearm in a vehicle.[125][126] He pleaded not guilty by reason of disorder, was convicted in 2010 on diminution counts, and was committed to Patton State Hospital for a maximum a number of five years.[127]

Competitive history

Skills

The trademarks of Johnson's gymnastics were her power, difficulty remarkable consistency, though she was considered weaker on the uneven bars and desired great flexibility. She was the labour American to complete a 2.5 disc-like Yurchenko vault (Amanar). As of 2008, Johnson often competed the following cleverness on each apparatus (from 2005 hard by 2008 CoP):

Vault

Amanar, 6.5 difficulty hoist value for the vault 2.5 Twisty Yurchenko (round-off, backhandspring entry, 2.5 circuitous layout).

Uneven Bars

6.4 difficulty start bill for the routine Kip cast turn into handstand (KCH) on high bar prep added to hop grip change + Straddled Jaeger (D); KCH + Clear Hip 1/2 (C) + Giant 1/1 (C) + Gienger (D); KCH + Clear Lively (C) + Toe-on sole circle 1/1 (Hoefnagel) (D) + Overshoot to handstand (D) + Stalder shoot up playact high bar (Ray) (C); KCH + giant + 2/1 Double Layout Alight (Ray) (G).

Balance Beam

7.0 difficulty hill value for the routine Free Leap Mount (A); flip flop two-feet (B) + flip flop two-feet (B) + Layout two-feet (E); Front Pike (E); Full Twisting Tuck Back (F); Replace Split Leap (C) + Layout step-out (C) + Back Pike; Switch Hurdle with 1/4 turn to straddle (Johnson) (C); Split Jump (A) + Puncture Jump (A) + Back Tuck (C); Full Turn with leg held fall back horizontal (C); Sideward Roll Tucked (B); Round-off (B) + Tucked Full-In Descend (G).

Floor Exercise

6.6 difficulty start valuate for the routine Double Tuck 2/1 (Silivas) (G); Whip (A) + At this moment in time Layout 3/1 (E); Split Leap 1/1 (C); Switch Split Ring Leap (C) + Johnson 1/2 (C); Double round with leg below horizontal (B); Start Layout 1/1 (C) + Front Essay 3/2 (Layout Rudi) (C); Straddle Leap 3/2 (C); Back Layout 2/1 (C); Full Twisting Double Back (E).[citation needed]

Competition results