Olympic figure-skating champion Amber Glenn is stepping into an entirely new spotlight as she prepares to compete on Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars. After reaching the highest level of competitive skating, Glenn is now trading the ice for the ballroom.
Glenn will be partnered with professional dancer Pasha Pashkov, who has been part of Dancing with the Stars since Season 28. Their partnership will put Glenn in a completely different performance environment, requiring her to learn dance styles that are unfamiliar territory even for an experienced skater.
The challenge is significant because figure skating and ballroom dancing may share elements such as rhythm, movement and performance, but they demand very different techniques. Glenn will have to adapt to new choreography, footwork and partnering while performing under the scrutiny of the judges and a live audience.
Even Glenn admits that the transition has been intimidating. She recently revealed that watching Pashkov dance with his wife, professional dancer Daniella Karagach, left her feeling “slightly terrified” because of how impressive their performances were.
Still, Glenn has plenty of experience performing under pressure. She won team-event gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics and is a three-time U.S. national champion, giving her a strong competitive background as she prepares for another demanding challenge.
Glenn has also been a longtime fan of Dancing with the Stars. She has said that seeing Olympic ice dancer Meryl Davis compete on the show helped inspire her decision to accept the opportunity, making this appearance something of a full-circle moment.
For Glenn, the experience is not simply about proving that a figure skater can dance. She has described the show as an opportunity to express her creativity differently and allow audiences to see a side of her personality that competitive skating does not always reveal.
Pashkov, meanwhile, has praised Glenn’s energy and positive presence. His role will be particularly important as he helps her translate her considerable skating experience into movements designed for the ballroom rather than the ice.
The new season will feature 16 celebrity contestants from a wide range of backgrounds, including actors, musicians, athletes and television personalities. Glenn is one of two elite athletes bringing Olympic-level experience to the competition.
Season 35 begins with a two-night premiere on September 15 and 16 on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available to stream on Hulu the following day. For Glenn, the countdown is now underway—and her biggest test may be learning how to turn years of skating discipline into a completely new kind of dance-floor performance.
Compiled from various sources.
