In social histories of New York’s upper East Side, the "Tonya Astor" figure is often depicted as the .

On January 6, 1994, Kerrigan was attacked after a practice session at the Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan. A man named Shane Stant, who was later linked to Harding's ex-husband Jeff Gillooly and his friends, hit Kerrigan in the knee with a baton. Kerrigan suffered a bruised leg and was forced to withdraw from the U.S. Championships.

The investigation into the attack led to a media frenzy, and Harding's reputation was severely damaged. She eventually pleaded guilty to hindering the prosecution by failing to report what she knew about the attack. Harding was stripped of her 1994 U.S. Figure Skating Championship title and banned from competitive figure skating for life.

The 2017 film "I, Tonya" tells the story of Harding's life, including the attack on Kerrigan. The film, starring Margot Robbie as Harding, provides a sympathetic portrayal of the skater's tumultuous life. While some critics argue that the film glosses over Harding's involvement in the attack, it has helped to revive interest in her story.