Although figure skater Starr Andrews recently turned 25, many people know her from a viral video skating to the song “Whip My Hair” when she was 9 years old, which has had over 57 million views on YouTube. Last spring, she recreated the iconic program with updated technical elements but much of the same dance moves, performing it at shows that marked the conclusion of her competitive singles career. After nine consecutive appearances in the senior women’s division at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Andrews has turned to pairs skating, teaming up with Daniil Parkman.
Director Jasper Soloff’s short documentary, “They Call Me… Starr Andrews,” recently debuted on the Nowness website. Andrews reflects on some of the obstacles that punctuated her path as one of the few Black skaters.
“The film came from wanting to tell a more nuanced story about Starr beyond the competition rink,” said Soloff. “I was interested in who she is when she isn’t performing for judges or an audience, and what it means to grow up as a Black skater in a sport where you don’t often see people who look like you. She has this incredible presence on the ice, but underneath that is a young woman navigating identity.”
Soloff was aware of the “Whip My Hair” program and appreciated that Andrews continued to incorporate pop culture and music into her skating. Over the years, she has used music from Fergie, Beyoncé, and Demi Lovato.
“I wanted the camera to feel close to Starr and to make the ice feel almost like a stage,” said Soloff. “At the same time, I wanted moments away from the rink that allowed us to see the person behind the athlete.”
The film includes Andrews’ longtime coach, Derrick Delmore, and even her beloved cat Stitch. She shares that she wears her hair in a traditional bun while skating, but lets her natural curls down off the ice, which seems to surprise people.
“Starr has become a reference point for younger skaters,” Soloff said. “Her presence makes it possible for another generation to imagine themselves in a space where they may not have previously seen themselves. That is just so powerful. I hope this film can play a small part in spreading Starr’s story. … I hope people come away feeling like they’ve met Starr rather than simply watching a film about a figure skater.”
