Louie Vito Interview: Going Primetime
crust
- August 26 2009
- 5,634 views
- 25 comments
Louie Vito
Louie Vito. It’s a name you’ll be hearing a lot more, so get used to it. Vito will be appearing this season on ABC’s primetime hit show Dancing With The Stars, which premiers September, 21st. His decision to forge into uncharted waters—a pro snowboarder dancing on TV—has drawn a bit of scrutiny from the snowboard community, but Louie’s not looking back, he has other things to focus on right now. In addition to his DWTS obligations, he’s making a push for the US Team and the winter Olympics in Vancouver this winter. In preparation for the upcoming contest season, Vito has been in down under for the last month working out new tricks. Last week at the New Zealand Open event, Vito revealed his newest trick—one never before done in competition—the frontside double-cork 1080º, ushering in what is sure to become the year of the double-cork spin. So yeah, Louie Vito has a lot going on. In a quick interview from New Zealand, he filled in some blanks. —Joel Muzzey
What are you calling that new double-cork? Or are there two new ones?
Danny [Kass] calls it the Double-Louie or the Screwy Louie, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t another double I may have for the first qualifier.
When did you learn it?
I learned it at Mount Hood. I was stoked because I didn’t have a foam pit or an airbag to learn them in, so I just had to just go for it and hope I made it around first try.
Were you stressed to throw it out there in the contest setting?
I like contest settings. You have the pressure of having to do it right then and there and your adrenaline gets going, but mostly I was just stoked to do it down here in New Zealand in cold, winter conditions.
Do you think a new trick like this will change your season?
First time done in a contest and the first person to do it. It was cool because it made people throw theirs [double-cork tricks] too and not save anything for next winter. Even though it’s a good trick to have, I think everyone who has it will still need to step up. Other people are going to learn them. That’s what makes the Olympic years so sick—people keeping pushing the level of riding and going further than anyone expected.
What does it feel like to double-cork in the pipe?
It was actually better than I thought—definitely scary! The main thing is making sure you’re fully committed and you don’t open up in between the flips. It’s cool because it feels different than it actually looks. I thought it might be more of a hucky trick but I think of it as if I’m doing a normal frontside seven.
How did you get the Dancing With The Stars thing going?
They contacted this agent and were looking for someone like me. I just had meniscus surgery last summer and was like, “Eh, what the hell? Let’s entertain this idea.” I went down to the interview and it went well, but I didn’t get it for that season. I think Misty May or someone got it instead. I didn’t really expect them to hit me back so soon. So I just said “Yes, yes, yes,” until I actually had it on paper, then went over everything and made a decision.
Were you scared the snowboard community would hate this?
Of course. I mean you get sh—t from people just for signing with an energy drink sponsor, or even just doing contests. I have haters and will always have haters, no matter what I do. But I don’t snowboard for anyone except myself. I don’t snowboard so everyone will like me. I just want to be me and that’s the best I can do, love it or hate it. Am I going to argue with someone that things [in snowboarding] should be done this way or that? At the end of the day, I have to do what I think is best for me. It’s hard to deny this show has cred—22 million viewers a week! At the end of the day, snowboarding is evolving into the mainstream one way or another, but what I do isn’t going to make the next snowboarder look a certain way. Snowboarding is my life more than a job or an image, I do it because I love it and nothing is going to stop me from having that be number one in my life. This [show] is a once in a lifetime opportunity and no matter how many people hate, most don’t have the balls to step up. I just hope I can wow the ladies!
Did anyone try to stop you from doing it?
No one really did. As long as it didn’t conflict with snowboarding, people were pretty hyped. I’m not gonna lie, I was a little surprised. Even other snowboarders were backing it, which was way different than what I thought would happen.
Are you gonna make loot doing the show?
Yeah, you get some money for doing the show, too. I’m not saying I’m doing it for the money, though. It just seems like a crazy experience and a good way to learn how to dance.
What are you looking forward to most about doing the show?
It’s going to be a whole new world. I mean, I can dance, or I think I can, but not like this kind of dance. It’s a new experience and challenge, but if I can do something that I don’t really have experience and confidence with in front of all those people and everyone watching, then doing a contest run or shooting a trick, which I know how to do and am confident in, that should be easy.
What are you dreading the most?
I tried to make a point that they aren’t going to make me wear any tights or sequins or anything. I’m sure I will wear something that I wouldn’t normally wear, but I kinda knew I couldn’t wear tee shirts and baggy jeans. Also those Latin dances have a lot of hip movement.
What do you have to say to your snowboard fans out there?
I think everybody out there should just sit back and enjoy it. Snowboard fans, go out and learn some Double-Louie flip or breakdance …
For more Louie Vito: Facebook, Twitter, LouieVito.com
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August 26th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
http://greatthuaisu.com
August 26th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
hes going to have fun training in mt highs superpipe!!!!!
August 27th, 2009 at 3:18 am
Why not…
He sounds like a good dude to me. Willing to give it a shot. He seems to be doing it for the right reasons too. You only live once. He's going to get slammed by lots of snowboarders for dancing. Just hope it doesn't make his sick riding steeze all swan lake-like ha ha. Props to Louie!
August 27th, 2009 at 3:39 am
Yeah Louie!
August 27th, 2009 at 9:54 am
WE LOVE YOU LV NOW GO KICK SOME DANCIN ARSE!!!!
GEORGIE X
August 27th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Fuck all the haters, he's got one shot at this snowboarding life and if he doesn't take it, someone else will. It's not like he's letting people starve to death so he can roll around in pillows full of money, he's entertaining people. He's making the most of his life and so he should.
August 27th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Amen. Louie's one of the nicest guys out there and he also is one of the guys that rips the hardest. he's just gonna do what he wants, he's not threatening our lifestyles to make everyone in snowboarding dance. Louie's the man, fuck all the haters
August 27th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Yeah, what Danger said. He's an awesome dude too.
August 27th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I'm calling BS on the whole thing. Dude claiming that he is the first to do double corks, "First time done in a contest and the first person to do it," when we all know that Shaun obviously has them on lock, and had a pipe session in Feb with a foam pit. Meaning that Shaun has probably had them (reg and switch) since Feb or March. Also, what about Lago, Davis, Pearce, all of which have a double as well. Finally, trying to claim a name for a double cork is almost as lame as being on DWTS.
August 27th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
wah wah wah, first on in a contest you tool - shed. read that shit again. jesus, people are so caught up in the bullshiz, go outside and take a break from your job at burton customer service.
August 27th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
anyone here actually ever met louie? hes a jerkoff!
August 27th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
He's a jerkoff??? I think you were trying to say that you would jerk him off..
Louie's dope.
August 27th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Not only is Louie a good dude but I think practicing all day everyday will most likely gain him the skills to perform on the dance floor. I think the entire snowboard community should vote to always keep him on the show that way we are certain to see him in sequence and tights giving all the haters plenty of ammo to continue the bitter campaign. Good luck LV I'll be watching and voting for you!
August 28th, 2009 at 12:29 am
HA ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Good stuff.
August 28th, 2009 at 12:32 am
Louie Vito may never getta chance to compete for a spot on the Olympic team. With his widely reported arrest in New Zealand this month for pot possession, he may face a sport suspension from USSA or be unofficially blacklisted. We'll see…..
August 28th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
For some reason over the last few years on DWTS, there have been some injuries. I know that LV is in shape but I hope that he doesn't get injured and end up ruining what he is really good at, SNOWBOARDING!
August 28th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
stevo doesnt knowo sheet. deskjocky authority at its finest
August 29th, 2009 at 1:20 am
Seems like a good guy who's def willing to focus on something fun while working seriously on an Olympic run. If nothing else, it may get the USSA a little more attention. And it could be worse… They could have invited Shaun, enforcing the general public's view that the Flying Tomato is the only rider worth sh-t.
Good luck to LV.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:17 pm
haters=jealousy..they have a lot to be jealous over!good luck louie your gonna do great!
September 3rd, 2009 at 5:33 pm
As long as Louie plans to Go BIG, then its cool. I've seen him dance in Aspen–he's got a few moves.
September 6th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
It's pretty cool. I'd be stoked to see him make it far or even win. He and Chuck LIddell are going to make it a show I'd watch this year. Kudos to the broadcasting company. No one should hate. Life is all about doing shit you only get to do once.
September 11th, 2009 at 2:17 am
Does he seriously think he can make a run for the Olympics with all his time being used-up by DWTS? White, Fisher, and Pearce will have the edge at the Olympic qualifying runs.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I LOVE YOU LOUIE VITO you are so awsome and cool so props to louie and kick some dancing a**.
dance and beat those people and kick some sh**t and a**. YOU ROCK LOUIE I LOVE YOU