New 'I, Tonya' trailer explores Tonya Harding's backstory

Nov. 2 (UPI) -- I, Tonya delves into Tonya Harding's backstory in a first full-length trailer.

The preview introduces the disgraced figure skater's tense relationship with her mom, LaVona (Allison Janney), and her romance with Jeff Gilooly (Sebastian Stan).

LaVona is shown criticizing and pushing Harding to excel at ice skating from a young age. Gilooly, meanwhile, is presented as Harding "first date ever."

The real-life Harding alleged in her 2008 memoir, The Tonya Tapes, that her mother was emotionally and physically abusive. LaVona denied beating Harding in 1994, but confessed she challenged her daughter to excel.

"A child sometimes wants to be corrected," she told People. "When I felt this, I gave her criticism. But sometimes she had to have praise too. So I'd say, 'You'll have a better day tomorrow.'"

I, Tonya opens in theaters Dec. 8. The movie follows the events that led to Harding being banned for life from the U.S. Figure Skating Association in 1994 for her role in a highly-publicized attack on fellow skater Nancy Kerrigan.

The real-life Harding and Kerrigan were to compete at the 1994 U.S. Figure Skating Championships when Kerrigan was attacked during a practice session. Harding ultimately won the event after Kerrigan withdrew due to her injuries.

The attack was traced to Gilooly, Harding's then-ex-husband, and bodyguard, Shawn Eckardt, who were prosecuted as Harding and Kerrigan competed at the 1994 Olympic games. Harding later pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution and was banned from competition for life.