Kloe Rozgonyi is a Hungarian-born figure skater who many will be familiar with from her time starring on CBBC’s series Ice Stars.
Close-up Culture caught up with Kloe to reflect on her Ice Stars journey, find out more about her love for skating, and look ahead to her bright future.
Q: We are now well over a year removed from the final episode of ‘Ice Stars’. How do you reflect on the show and the opportunities it gave you?
A: Yes, we are. I actually miss Ice Stars a lot. It was something my teammates and I were kind of just ‘thrown into’ at the beginning… we didn’t know what it was gonna be at all until the first series aired on TV, pretty much!
I have to say that getting to be on Ice Stars changed me as a person (for the better). It made me so much more open to people and confident. The main thing it made me realise was how much I am able to inspire people, even with the smallest things I do that I wouldn’t have thought could be inspiring to others. So, for this, I’m so thankful for getting the opportunity to be a part of something so great like Ice Stars!
Q: You recently posted a hilarious ‘Ice Stars’/’Mean Girls’ edit on Instagram. Looking back, do you have a most cherished episode or moment captured on the show?
A: Haha, that’s right. I thought that edit was well Instagram worthy!
To be honest, the episodes actually kind of blend together. I don’t really remember what was in each episode, but I always liked the episodes that were emotional in any kind of way because they gave me motivation to keep going. And, of course, I have to say my favourites were the gala episodes, which were always the last episodes aired of each series.
Q: A big part of the show was your connection with Josh Brown. Can you talk about growing up with Josh and the bond you have?
A: Josh and I have known each other for as long as I can remember. Before I permanently moved to the UK, I had already been to Nottingham because we used to do summer training camps there with my Hungarian training team. So we actually already knew each other when I moved.
We have such a special friendship that I think most people can only wish for and I will never take that for granted. I’m so thankful to have someone like Josh in my life, he is actually more like family to me – it’s hard to explain like this!
Q: I believe Josh recently retired from skating. Was that an emotional moment for you given how parallel your careers have been?
A: Yes, he has. It was definitely emotional for me as well as for him, of course. But we discussed it enough for me to realise that this is truly the best decision for him. He has achieved so much in skating and was ready to move on. What he has learned from skating throughout all these years is something no one will ever be able to take away from him and I’m so proud of everything he has done. I’m happy for Josh!
Q: I recently watched your performances at the 2019 Four National Figure Skating Championships where you won a Bronze medal. How do you feel you are progressing as a figure skater?
A: Moving back to Hungary, switching countries again and getting to work with a new coach hasn’t been easy, I must say. But I’m happy that all of these three things happened. I believe everything happens for a reason!
My performance at the 4Nat Champs hasn’t even been close to what I know I can do, but I’m still proud of myself. Every competition has its own difficulties and we learn from them all. And that bronze medal is quiet pretty to be honest, haha!
Q: What do you enjoy most about the life of a figure skater?
A: Oh, there are so many things. I’m honestly so thankful that I skate and didn’t quit when I was little. I feel like skating has taught me so much, not only about skating, but life itself. It helped make me the person I am today!
Besides all that, I have so many international friends, I get to travel the world and I’m living nowhere near a ‘normal’ life!
Q: What is your favourite routine you have ever performed?
A: That’s a hard one.
I loved every gala program that I had. But if we’re talking about competition routines, I’d say one of my favourite short programs was the one from the 2015-2016 season when I skated to Hungarian music. My favourite free program would have to be my most recent one… I just love that music so much!
Q: A hypothetical question for you: If you were ever on a show like ‘Dancing On Ice’, who would be your dream celebrity partner?
A: I had to think about this a lot and I can’t decide… either Zac Efron – because I think we would be fire on the ice together – or Shawn Mendes – because come on… he is adorable!
Q: What do you get up to when you aren’t in skates?
A: I’m always with my friends or sister, just hanging out doing random things and making memories.
I am also loving the whole Instagram thing recently. Just taking pictures, etc. It’s fun!
Q: What are your hopes and ambitions for the future?
A: Well… I actually recently came to the decision to leave competitive skating behind. It has been amazing but I’m ready to do something different, and as some people say something ‘bigger’.
Don’t get me wrong though, I’m gonna carry on skating, I can’t imagine myself not skating.
However, I’m going to go more in the direction of skating in shows like Disney on Ice. I think this is something that would suit my personality a lot. I love meeting and working with people and getting to travel the world while also skating. It would be such a dream.
So even though making this decision was the hardest and scariest decision I’ve had to make so far in my 19 years, I’m beyond excited.
Have you stopped skating and are you still in England or have you moved back to your home country?