Well, it looks like Adam Rippon won’t be sitting at Sally Field’s holiday table, at least just yet. The 28-year-old figure skater, who won many a heart after his medal-winning performance at the Winter Olympics, has found love. And, like many people in the public eye, he announced the union on social media.
Adam said last month that he “fully embraced” singledom, but confessed “I’ve tried Tinder and Grindr and everything. I’m only human”. Earlier this week he posted a photo to Instagram with his new beau, Jussi-Pekka Kajaala. The shirtless photo was taken after a hike in Los Angeles’ Runyon Canyon. Adam added the witty caption, “Good boys Finnish first,” along with the flag emoji for Jussi’s home country of Finland. In the comments, he confirmed that they were an item.
Jussi also posted a photo from the hike to his Instagram. In an image showing him snuggled up with Adam on a bench, taking in the view, he wrote, “From Los Angeles with love.”
It appears that Adam’s visits to Tinder paid off, because that’s where he met Jussi. A friend told PEOPLE that Adam and Jussi had “been talking for the past seven months” and then “started to hang out a little bit more, because [they] were both really busy.” Adam is promoting his participation in the upcoming Stars on Ice tour, which kicks off on April 6. Adam told US that “We’re going to 22 cities all across the U.S. and it’s going to be such a great tour. We have the 2018 Olympic team and we also have 2014 Olympic champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White. We have Olympic medalist and world medalist and three-time national champion Ashley Wagner.”
The Stars on Ice tour runs through May, but Adam may be leaving to hit the dance floor. It has been reported that Admaon will be competing on the next, all-athlete season of Dancing with the Stars, along with the notorious Tonya Harding and Olympic snowboarder Jamie Anderson. Back in March, when asked about the possibility of being on the show, Adam told US, “If the opportunity came about I think it would be fun.” He also said if he could pick his partner, it would have to be “Somebody who can keep up with my quick whips whoever that woman may be.” The full cast of Dancing with the Stars: Athletes will be announced on Good Morning America on Friday, April 13.
I’m happy for Adam, and Jussi is certainly easy on the eyes. I’m still holding out hope for Sam Greisman. You never know. And, as much as I’m not big on DTWS, this all-athlete version could prove to be the best one ever. For the most part, the contestants who have come from sports have turned in some of the strongest performances. Could be interesting.
Photos: WENN.com, Getty Images, Instagram
He’s so little next to that guy!! That bench photo must have been so awkward/uncomfortable for his arm.
They’re so cute. That Finnish guys is SUPER hot. Good for them both.
How nice for Adam! He’s a great skater. Though his technical content isn’t strong enough to compete for gold at the major championships, he’s tops at the artistic side.
Figure skating is very popular in Japan, so I hope he will go there again an do a few shows.
Lots of figure skaters do shows during the off-season as it helps them pay to continue to compete. Now, Adam is probably retiring, but it’s good to see he has a career beyond the sport.
My goodness is he super tiny or is the Finnish guy a giant?
Adam is listed as 5’7″ (most figure skaters are pretty short/compact) so I’m guessing the other guy is around 6’4″? Living in the Midwest & married into a Dutch family I often forget that anything over 6’0″ is considered unusual.
Love him. There’s something so compelling about him. I’m sure he will be amazing on DWTS. Wishing him well in his romance…I can’t help but feel a little bit protective, lol.
Me too Esmom — he was so funny on WWHL, just adorably witty. I really hope Jussi-Pekka (Omggg, is that a pun?!?) will be good to him.
Hahahahahahah…just got the joke!! 🤣
They look sweet together. I wish him much happiness.
I hope Sally Field’s son doesn’t see this!
The bench photo is adorable. But it seems so strange to me to have a photo like this taken. Do they go everywhere with an entourage / assistants to grab that “oh so casual, we’re sitting here snuggled” photo? Wasn’t this a date ?! Why would you bring your assistant on a date? Surely it wasn’t taken by a bodyguard, because (1) is an ice skater famous enough to need one, and (2) even if he requires a bodyguard, then the bodyguard should be doing his job and NOT be distracted by taking photos of his client.
I’ve asked people passing by if they would please take a photo of us and I’ve been asked or offered to do the same for others many times. Or you can prop the camera up on a tripod. So we can’t know if this is the case or they are traveling with a third person who did the honors.
@Nola I’ve taken photos like this for friends and also strangers. Some young people make way more elaborate photos like this (saying this makes me feel old 😉 ).
Sally Field wept.
He is so beautiful.
Love him. May the gods always smile down on him.
I love how his old goldfish name was Princess Diana.
I love figure skating and I love Adam Rippon. Nice that he has such a handsome boyfriend.
Like how you also put in a photo of Mirai “Triple Axel” Nagasu.