Olympic gold medalist Amber Glenn balances the physical toll of ice skating and the high-stakes world of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ season 35.
Ten minutes after stepping off the ice. Olympic gold medalist Amber Glenn is already deep into the world of television production. She joined the cast of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ season 35 just months after her Olympic win. stepping into a demanding schedule that requires her to pivot between the controlled glide of the rink and the rhythmic precision of the ballroom.
Partnered with professional dancer Pasha Pashkov, Glenn acknowledges the reality of her current pace. While her body is holding up, her feet tell a different story. For 21 years, she has spent her career in custom-made boots, relying on flats or booties off the ice. The transition to wearing heels for hours every day has left her feet swollen. a challenge she faces alongside the accidental intensity of rehearsals—including a recent moment where she inadvertently struck her partner’s nose.
Beyond the physical fatigue, the transition has required a mental shift. Glenn describes her skating style as a fluid “bounce” defined by natural counterbalancing and gliding. Replicating that grace on a floor without blades requires a completely different type of muscle control. one she initially found daunting. She is navigating this while managing ADHD. which she says requires her to “lock in” with intense focus to master new choreography every single week.
Her experience on the show extends beyond the dance floor. She finds herself navigating the pressures of the digital age. balancing the athlete’s desire to work with the show’s demand for personality and voter connection. She isn’t interested in performing a version of herself. but she is aware that she is being judged by an audience that is still getting to know her.
Her connection to the show’s creative direction—including a recent piece paying homage to the story of ‘Heated Rivalry’—is deeply personal. For Glenn. the story mirrors the internal struggle of professional athletes who fear judgment from teammates. brands. and the public for living authentically. By incorporating those themes into her performance with Pashkov. she found a way to share a piece of her own reality with the audience.
‘Dancing With the Stars’ season 35 airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m., simulcasting across ABC and Disney+, with streaming available the following day on Hulu.
Amber Glenn Dancing With the Stars Pasha Pashkov figure skating DWTS season 35