I hate hate hate this interview. Nadia was in such a dark place and was being taken advantage of by this man. The media...as usual... were like vultures!!
The USA media mistreated Nadia and Inside Edition is even worse because they had time to investigate and know better. With her limited knowledge of English, her lack of understanding of America, if she has been asked, "Did you know your coach Bela Karolyi was married?" she would also replied "So what" meaning "how was his marital status relevant to being my coach." I'm appalled that "Inside Edition" would refer to Panait as Nadia's boyfriend. He never was anything of the sort, but I'm not surprised that he wanted to be. The creep would have been happy to dump his common wife for royality. However, a story about a virgin gone bad and turning her back on her country sells better than a virgin that defects from a corrupt evil dictator. And, unlike the lying "Inside Edition" falsely stated, Nadia never turned her back on her country. She left the horrible situation she was in where unlike the average Romanian she wasn't allow to travel outside Romania, was being watched, had to be careful what she said lest she be sent to prison, and was only paid about $100 ($400 in today's money) per month making it difficult to get enough to eat and pay for utilities for her and her family. It wasn't Nadia that agreed to appear on "Inside Edition." It was Panait, who at the time, had complete control over her and he was only after the money they paid her which he ended up stealing. I'm sure Nadia would have never willingly agreed to the horrible misrepresentation by "Inside Edition."
I don't like how the media made so much of their relations either, but I don't believe Nadia relationship with Panait was as innocent as she later attempts to make it appear. In her book "Letters to a Young Gymanist" she attempts to sanitize her image and implied they were only together for a few days when if fact it was several months. At the American Embassy, Panait would not have been allowed to be with her during much of her interviews and there wouldn't have been a language problem that she claims resulted in the media misunderstanding her. Panait wouldn't have been on the same plane back to America if she didn't want him to be. Nadia claims that she was a prisoner of Panait's for over three months. That is not logical. She was, in effect, a prisoner in Romania and she was able to escape and she was being watched and followed by Romania's secret police. Escaping from an amateur that couldn't watch her 24/7 for three months during which time she was meeting dozens if not hundreds of people would have a piece of cake. Most likely there was a love affair that later turned sour after a month or so and after that she may have been feeling a bit of Stockholm syndrome. Nadia didn't like the bad press and has mostly, but not completely, erased that image. After her time with Panait, Nadia's behavior and life has been impeccable. I don't know what Nadia was thinking or how much she was affected by her life and treatment in Romania so I can't fault her for being less than "Little Miss Perfect" for a short time; less that one half of one percent of her life. Even the Ivory snowflakes girl was only"99 44/100% pure."
Kelley ~ YEA! l remember this very story, and was appalled at how they talked to her! My family escaped the CCCP, and to get away from communism you do freaking ANYTHING! ''Tarnished reputation'' my butt! She was ALWAYS my hero _ESPECIALLY_ when she defected! Shame on 'inside edition'! They are nowhere, and she's a revered success!
I hope no one thinks I'll of her...she really did need to leave...got,out before the revolution...after they could go back. She didn't stay in this guys life long. She very specifically says they are just friends...now was this dude being genuine or wanting to get into her pants??? I'm so glad she made it here
I understand that Nadia being with a married man was not good. However, people should also see Nadia's side. Nadia had never been happy in her life. Look at her getting the perfect tens. She still did not smile too much even in the biggest moment of her life in 1976. She had no childhood. She practiced 7 hours a day and had no money. She just had dreams. When she won the medals, she only had enough money to buy a nice house but no money to heat the house. She was broke and forced the the dictator to be his puppet. She was scared, mentally exhausted. Suddenly, this married man tells her that he could take her away from her nightmare forever. She was like on the Titanic and fell into the water. Suddenly, someone on a boat told her to get on the lifeboat and that he would save her. I don't think anybody would say no to that. Was the guy a loser for leaving his wife. Yes he was. Especially, after he took the little money that Nadia brought to America when she escaped him. By the time she hooked up with Bart, she was in a country she didn't know. She had no money. She was basically homeless in Canada when the guy that offered her safety from the wife cheater, died himself. Thank God Bart (another famous gymnast) took her to his house in Oklahoma. So, after all that Nadia has gone through in her life, I'm not mad at her for escaping with that married man. God bless Nadia and I really want her name to shine forever for being such a strong human being during such horrible conditions and for being from I country that I love so much. To me when I think of Romania, I don't think about Vlad the impaler or the Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. I think of Nadia Comaneci. One final thing, the song called Nadia's Theme Song became famous on the TV soap opera called The Young and The Restless in The United States. But, I didn't know the song was named after Nadia Comaneci. I've been playing that song on my piano for decades and didn't know it was named after her. Love to you Nadia.
He charged her $5,000 dollars for helping her and when in the US basically kidnapped her, until friends of hers offered him money and he took of with it
Quisiera saber si este Contantain Panait fue contratado por la CIA o el FBI para traer a Nadia, pareciera que hay algo raro en esto. Se hicieron pasar por novios para disimular cuando en realidad estaba todo arreglado para que su pareja fuera el principe azul rubio Bart Conner, un carilindo, que ademas era un gimnasta exitoso, no solo por sus antecedentes sino porque era muy vivo para los negocios. Ya tenía la Academia de Gimnasia junto con su socio Pauil Zieger en la ciudad de Oklahoma. Paso un tiempito, un año o menos y el la rescato de Montreal y la incluyo en el mundo de los negocios. Paso de ser una gimnasta exitosa a una Business woman teniiendo ademas una tarea solidaria formando parte de fundaciones. Tiene insumos deportivos de su marca.
I believe she had to pretend to an extent, that they were involved so he wouldn't take her back to Romania. She wasn't versed in how that all works. I think the press did her a disservice because 1. she didn't speak well enough to convey what was really happening, and 2. Europeans are very nonchalant about things so when they asked if she knew he was married, I think when she said " so what" she was meaning, "so what? He's only my friend who got me out of Romania and I could care less if he was married or not while doing it. It means nothing to me, I just wanted out".
Panait told Nadia what to say including that she had know him for two years instead of a week or so. None of it was necessary and how long she knew Panait had no bearing on getting a VISA. The USA was going to accept her, no matter what. Also, Panait, a nobody, could not send her. The idea is preposterous, but Nadia didn't know that. She was a prisoner only because, being raised in Romania under a dictatorship, she didn't know America and though she had to obey. An American lady in her twenties or even her teens would have told him to go suck an egg and walked away. And, she would have screamed, called the police, or whatever if Panait attempted to physically stop her. It is hard for Americans that have never lived in a country ruled by a dictator to comprehend how Nadia could have a prisoner.
She seems so uncomfortable. Glad she got out of this situation, moved on and is happy now. I give her a lot of slack due to the repressive environment/culture she lived in in Romania - it wasn't going to be an easy transition leaving.
She wouldn’t be here if not for panait regardless for the right or wrong reasons. We don’t know what panait has gone through that he left his country. God helped Nadia have s better life
THIS is what happens when the news gets a hold of a story and spins it...I don’t think she was ever involved with this guy as more than a way out! All she knew was being controlled. You know how Men can be,as soon as her gymnastics people realized she needed help, she was ok! Recall this guy took 6 other people along with her, they probably paid him. Sounds like a one sided fascination to me. I’m GLAD her reputation wasn’t ruined bc of lies!
Una tia con su edad y de su ,,calibre,, como ella !! con tantos de 10 y tantas medallas de oro en su "espalda" !! y que se junta con un ,,don nadie,, resulta muy estraño ! ! aunque fue el que respaldo su llegada en EEU !! tela marinera ! Que pena !!!
l _remember THIS_ very story, and was looking for it! GADS! lf they knew what the hell she had to go through to get away from Ceausescu's ikky son, and find freedom they would think again! Her whole family was almost executed, and she MISSED Marta, n Bella! She didn't give a _FIDDLERS FUCK_ about Constantine, n ''romance'' like that ....he was the only one who helped her! I WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME DAMN THING! ......well she sure as shit came through! Now shes with Bart! GOOD for you Nads!!
Nadia wants fame and success and she has acquired both. Much of the money she has earned she used to build and support a free health clinic for underprivileged children in Romania. However, no where that I can find in her book or any of her recorded appearances where Nadia ever said she wanted someone to make a movie of her life. That is a misunderstand or maybe a lie by "Inside Edition. In any event, you don't her saying it out of her own mouth so it is hearsay.
God I regret giving this clip any attention at all, hurts my soul. Disgusting “journalism” at the time preying on their subjects and sooo preying on the public’s appetite for scandal. So much so that they couldn’t or wouldn’t see what was really going on there which looks pretty obvious. You can see that she is uncomfortable with him and there is zero affection shown. What was really going on should have been the investigative angle of the story-the guy was SO obviously a snake. Had inside Edition really wanted to seek out the truth they could have done some good -and had even a better story. But Inside Edition, true to form, would rather exploit her and give their trashy audience a “scandal”. They knew what was going on in Romania and probably suspected what was really going on with them. ThAT WAS human trafficking in the truest sense. Bill OReilly sold his soul sooner than we knew. Karma always catches up. Bill Is now disgraced and Nadia living a meaningful life.
Constantin was a trash,a manipulator..a selfish person..his wife,4 children,Nadia..he just see fame and money..Nadia have to pay him 150 000 and a car for all his services..Nadia don't know about her right as an emigrant,as a legend of gymnastics..thanks God now she is happy and safe with Bart..🙏❤🙏
nadia I think is very very very full of her self. nadia says so what that he's married got kids ok no of every body business ok nadia might had very very very hard life and this just how she deals with it or she just full of her self wants lots money.
Rather than being mislead by the media that is more interested in a story than the truth and hearsay, you should read Nadia's book, "letters to a young gymnast" and/or watch recording of public appearances; especially the later ones after she a much better command of the English language.
I hate hate hate this interview. Nadia was in such a dark place and was being taken advantage of by this man. The media...as usual... were like vultures!!
The USA media mistreated Nadia and Inside Edition is even worse because they had time to investigate and know better. With her limited knowledge of English, her lack of understanding of America, if she has been asked, "Did you know your coach Bela Karolyi was married?" she would also replied "So what" meaning "how was his marital status relevant to being my coach." I'm appalled that "Inside Edition" would refer to Panait as Nadia's boyfriend. He never was anything of the sort, but I'm not surprised that he wanted to be. The creep would have been happy to dump his common wife for royality. However, a story about a virgin gone bad and turning her back on her country sells better than a virgin that defects from a corrupt evil dictator.
And, unlike the lying "Inside Edition" falsely stated, Nadia never turned her back on her country. She left the horrible situation she was in where unlike the average Romanian she wasn't allow to travel outside Romania, was being watched, had to be careful what she said lest she be sent to prison, and was only paid about $100 ($400 in today's money) per month making it difficult to get enough to eat and pay for utilities for her and her family.
It wasn't Nadia that agreed to appear on "Inside Edition." It was Panait, who at the time, had complete control over her and he was only after the money they paid her which he ended up stealing. I'm sure Nadia would have never willingly agreed to the horrible misrepresentation by "Inside Edition."
I don't like how the media made so much of their relations either, but I don't believe Nadia relationship with Panait was as innocent as she later attempts to make it appear. In her book "Letters to a Young Gymanist" she attempts to sanitize her image and implied they were only together for a few days when if fact it was several months. At the American Embassy, Panait would not have been allowed to be with her during much of her interviews and there wouldn't have been a language problem that she claims resulted in the media misunderstanding her. Panait wouldn't have been on the same plane back to America if she didn't want him to be.
Nadia claims that she was a prisoner of Panait's for over three months. That is not logical. She was, in effect, a prisoner in Romania and she was able to escape and she was being watched and followed by Romania's secret police. Escaping from an amateur that couldn't watch her 24/7 for three months during which time she was meeting dozens if not hundreds of people would have a piece of cake.
Most likely there was a love affair that later turned sour after a month or so and after that she may have been feeling a bit of Stockholm syndrome. Nadia didn't like the bad press and has mostly, but not completely, erased that image. After her time with Panait, Nadia's behavior and life has been impeccable. I don't know what Nadia was thinking or how much she was affected by her life and treatment in Romania so I can't fault her for being less than "Little Miss Perfect" for a short time; less that one half of one percent of her life. Even the Ivory snowflakes girl was only"99 44/100% pure."
Kelley ~ YEA! l remember this very story, and was appalled at how they talked to her! My family escaped the CCCP, and to get away from communism you do freaking ANYTHING! ''Tarnished reputation'' my butt! She was ALWAYS my hero _ESPECIALLY_ when she defected! Shame on 'inside edition'! They are nowhere, and she's a revered success!
Kelley Nice Disgusting journalism, we can TELL she’s a very special SOUL!
I hope no one thinks I'll of her...she really did need to leave...got,out before the revolution...after they could go back. She didn't stay in this guys life long. She very specifically says they are just friends...now was this dude being genuine or wanting to get into her pants??? I'm so glad she made it here
wrong
You can see she was very afraid of this man!!!
"She smokes cigarettes, a lot of them". Give a break.
I understand that Nadia being with a married man was not good. However, people should also see Nadia's side. Nadia had never been happy in her life. Look at her getting the perfect tens. She still did not smile too much even in the biggest moment of her life in 1976. She had no childhood. She practiced 7 hours a day and had no money. She just had dreams. When she won the medals, she only had enough money to buy a nice house but no money to heat the house. She was broke and forced the the dictator to be his puppet. She was scared, mentally exhausted. Suddenly, this married man tells her that he could take her away from her nightmare forever. She was like on the Titanic and fell into the water. Suddenly, someone on a boat told her to get on the lifeboat and that he would save her. I don't think anybody would say no to that. Was the guy a loser for leaving his wife. Yes he was. Especially, after he took the little money that Nadia brought to America when she escaped him. By the time she hooked up with Bart, she was in a country she didn't know. She had no money. She was basically homeless in Canada when the guy that offered her safety from the wife cheater, died himself. Thank God Bart (another famous gymnast) took her to his house in Oklahoma. So, after all that Nadia has gone through in her life, I'm not mad at her for escaping with that married man. God bless Nadia and I really want her name to shine forever for being such a strong human being during such horrible conditions and for being from I country that I love so much. To me when I think of Romania, I don't think about Vlad the impaler or the Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. I think of Nadia Comaneci. One final thing, the song called Nadia's Theme Song became famous on the TV soap opera called The Young and The Restless in The United States. But, I didn't know the song was named after Nadia Comaneci. I've been playing that song on my piano for decades and didn't know it was named after her. Love to you Nadia.
@SIMPSON Bart says a cartoon character
He charged her $5,000 dollars for helping her and when in the US basically kidnapped her, until friends of hers offered him money and he took of with it
WRONG
I can’t remember if the Karolis reached out to her back then, or not ..
he looks like a dangerous convict
Hey….Nadia like the rest of us, may have made some bad choices.....but after this we see how she hooked up with Bart, to turn it all around.
Quisiera saber si este Contantain Panait fue contratado por la CIA o el FBI para traer a Nadia, pareciera que hay algo raro en esto. Se hicieron pasar por novios para disimular cuando en realidad estaba todo arreglado para que su pareja fuera el principe azul rubio Bart Conner, un carilindo, que ademas era un gimnasta exitoso, no solo por sus antecedentes sino porque era muy vivo para los negocios. Ya tenía la Academia de Gimnasia junto con su socio Pauil Zieger en la ciudad de Oklahoma. Paso un tiempito, un año o menos y el la rescato de Montreal y la incluyo en el mundo de los negocios. Paso de ser una gimnasta exitosa a una Business woman teniiendo ademas una tarea solidaria formando parte de fundaciones. Tiene insumos deportivos de su marca.
That guy is scary looking!
I believe she had to pretend to an extent, that they were involved so he wouldn't take her back to Romania. She wasn't versed in how that all works. I think the press did her a disservice because 1. she didn't speak well enough to convey what was really happening, and 2. Europeans are very nonchalant about things so when they asked if she knew he was married, I think when she said " so what" she was meaning, "so what? He's only my friend who got me out of Romania and I could care less if he was married or not while doing it. It means nothing to me, I just wanted out".
Panait told Nadia what to say including that she had know him for two years instead of a week or so. None of it was necessary and how long she knew Panait had no bearing on getting a VISA. The USA was going to accept her, no matter what. Also, Panait, a nobody, could not send her. The idea is preposterous, but Nadia didn't know that.
She was a prisoner only because, being raised in Romania under a dictatorship, she didn't know America and though she had to obey. An American lady in her twenties or even her teens would have told him to go suck an egg and walked away. And, she would have screamed, called the police, or whatever if Panait attempted to physically stop her. It is hard for Americans that have never lived in a country ruled by a dictator to comprehend how Nadia could have a prisoner.
Kathryn Poole BC he took 6 others along w her, he was in lust with Nadia! 5000$ a head was his fee, he should have gone home to his wife and kids!
She seems so uncomfortable. Glad she got out of this situation, moved on and is happy now. I give her a lot of slack due to the repressive environment/culture she lived in in Romania - it wasn't going to be an easy transition leaving.
She wouldn’t be here if not for panait regardless for the right or wrong reasons. We don’t know what panait has gone through that he left his country. God helped Nadia have s better life
THIS is what happens when the news gets a hold of a story and spins it...I don’t think she was ever involved with this guy as more than a way out! All she knew was being controlled. You know how Men can be,as soon as her gymnastics people realized she needed help, she was ok! Recall this guy took 6 other people along with her, they probably paid him. Sounds like a one sided fascination to me. I’m GLAD her reputation wasn’t ruined bc of lies!
Una tia con su edad y de su ,,calibre,, como ella !! con tantos de 10 y tantas medallas de oro en su "espalda" !! y que se junta con un ,,don nadie,, resulta muy estraño ! ! aunque fue el que respaldo su llegada en EEU !! tela marinera !
Que pena !!!
I just saying why nadia laughing that she was caught ok might been cause she did want freedom for ever
l _remember THIS_ very story, and was looking for it! GADS! lf they knew what the hell she had to go through to get away from Ceausescu's ikky son, and find freedom they would think again! Her whole family was almost executed, and she MISSED Marta, n Bella! She didn't give a _FIDDLERS FUCK_ about Constantine, n ''romance'' like that ....he was the only one who helped her! I WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME DAMN THING! ......well she sure as shit came through! Now shes with Bart! GOOD for you Nads!!
nadia wants some one to make movie of her she wants all fame attention all money I think but I might be totally definitely wrong
Nadia wants fame and success and she has acquired both. Much of the money she has earned she used to build and support a free health clinic for underprivileged children in Romania. However, no where that I can find in her book or any of her recorded appearances where Nadia ever said she wanted someone to make a movie of her life. That is a misunderstand or maybe a lie by "Inside Edition. In any event, you don't her saying it out of her own mouth so it is hearsay.
A little financial security.
God I regret giving this clip any attention at all, hurts my soul. Disgusting “journalism” at the time preying on their subjects and sooo preying on the public’s appetite for scandal. So much so that they couldn’t or wouldn’t see what was really going on there which looks pretty obvious. You can see that she is uncomfortable with him and there is zero affection shown. What was really going on should have been the investigative angle of the story-the guy was SO obviously a snake. Had inside Edition really wanted to seek out the truth they could have done some good -and had even a better story. But Inside Edition, true to form, would rather exploit her and give their trashy audience a “scandal”. They knew what was going on in Romania and probably suspected what was really going on with them. ThAT WAS human trafficking in the truest sense. Bill OReilly sold his soul sooner than we knew. Karma always catches up. Bill Is now disgraced and Nadia living a meaningful life.
Look up regimes methods
Cold War Propaganda on USA side. Sucks.
Constantin was a trash,a manipulator..a selfish person..his wife,4 children,Nadia..he just see fame and money..Nadia have to pay him 150 000 and a car for all his services..Nadia don't know about her right as an emigrant,as a legend of gymnastics..thanks God now she is happy and safe with Bart..🙏❤🙏
nadia I think is very very very full of her self. nadia says so what that he's married got kids ok no of every body business ok nadia might had very very very hard life and this just how she deals with it or she just full of her self wants lots money.
yup
Rather than being mislead by the media that is more interested in a story than the truth and hearsay, you should read Nadia's book, "letters to a young gymnast" and/or watch recording of public appearances; especially the later ones after she a much better command of the English language.