If your real mom isn’t going to cheer you on during your debut on “Dancing With the Stars,” the next best thing is probably Allison Janney.
Tonya Harding was lucky enough to have the “I, Tonya” star as her special guest at the live season 26 premiere of “DWTS: Athletes” Monday night. You know, the actress who won a best supporting actress Oscar in March for her portrayal of the former Olympic skater’s mother, LaVona Golden.
Janney cheered on Harding during her performance alongside her companion for the evening, actress Mckenna Grace, who played a younger version of Harding in “I, Tonya,” and the film’s screenwriter, Steven Rogers.
“It was truly amazing,” Harding told reporters of the very special audience members after the show, according to Entertainment Weekly. “I asked them to come and they said, ‘Yes absolutely.’ So I was just like, ‘Yes! They can be here for my new beginning that was made from a fresh start from them.’”
“I, Tonya” starred Margot Robbie in the titular role and followed the skater’s personal life and career before and after the 1994 attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan, and Harding’s ex-husband Jeff Gillooly’s (Sebastian Stan) involvement in the hit.
See a picture of Janney, Grace, Harding and Farber above and Janney’s reserved seat below.
“Dancing With the Stars: Athletes” airs live Mondays at 8/7 c on ABC.
I LOVE this. Look who's coming to support #TonyaHarding at #DWTS tonight – @AllisonBJanney ! pic.twitter.com/5Rum5R3RsU
— George Pennacchio (@abc7george) April 30, 2018