Truth and Lies: The Tonya Harding Story

Truth and Lies: The Tonya Harding Story is a riveting television documentary from ABC News, released in 2018 that peers into the life of the former professional figure skater, Tonya Harding. This two-hour special features extensive interviews and showcases never-seen-before footage that offers insights into one of the most controversial events in the sports history - the shocking attack on Nancy Kerrigan just weeks before the 1994 Winter Olympics.

Tonya Harding, born and raised in Portland, Oregon, is most remembered for her alleged involvement in this infamous incident. She was one of America's top figure skaters, known for her triple axels and high-energy performances. However, Harding fell from grace due to allegations that she was associated with the scandalous event that nearly upended the career of her fellow skater Nancy Kerrigan. This harrowing incident forever changed the world of professional figure skating, severing Harding's promising skating career and forever tarnishing her reputation.

The documentary is a thorough deep-dive into Harding's life, offering a nuanced account of her early years, her rise to stardom in the competitive, high-stakes world of figure skating, her association with the brutal attack on Kerrigan, and her life post-scandal. Sit-down interviews with Harding herself provide her perspective on these significant events, a perspective often missed in mainstream media narratives.

The production begins with an exploration into Harding's formative years, providing viewers a glimpse into Harding's traumatic upbringing marked with poverty and abuse. Through interviews with those who knew Harding during her youth, the documentary paints a picture of her tenacity as she pursues her passion for figure skating. Harding's admirable determination and unrelenting drive eventually lead her to become one of the top skaters in the world.

The documentary then transitions into showcasing the most notorious period in Harding's life - her potential involvement in the cruel assault on Kerrigan. Through a combination of interviews, archival footage, and treatment of the hard facts of the case, viewers are presented with a comprehensive profile of the Kerrigan attack and its shocking aftermath. Far from coercing the viewer into taking a definitive stand, it allows them space for forming their individual interpretations of the event.

Own-statements from Tonya Harding linger at the heart of this daring production. Beyond her discussions of the assault on Kerrigan, her interviews expose her own perspective on the fame and disgrace that colored her career. She discloses the immense pressures that come with competing in a global arena, the harsh judgment she faced based on her lower socio-economic background, and her struggle for acceptance in a world that often seemed to reward image over talent. These public conversations with Harding provided an intimate portrayal of a woman who has faced both the glorious heights of success and the unforgiving depths of scandal.

In addition to illuminating the details of Harding’s life, the documentary also delves into the wider improbabilities of the world of figure skating, touching upon its deep-rooted classist assumptions and the immense pressures athletes face. It sheds light on an often-glamorized world where competition can take a toll on the athletes' psychological and physical wellbeing.

Post-scandal, Harding’s life was filled with numerous ups and downs. She dabbled in boxing, worked as a commentator, and even took part in reality TV. Harding’s resilience in face of adversity and her determination to rebuild her life is a significant focus in the latter part of this documentary.

Expertly directed and movingly candid, the Truth and Lies: The Tonya Harding Story is an objective examination of the fall from grace of one of America's most promising figure skaters. It’s an engaging exploration of the tragic turn of female athletics, tainted by a scandal whose tremors were felt into the years that followed the incident. Far from being a simple retelling of known events, it succeeds in breathing fresh life into a story that has since come to be defined by mainstream narratives. It gives a voice to Tonya Harding, allowing her the opportunity to tell her version of her life story - a tale of triumph, downfall, and resilience all in one.