Reigning US figure skating champion Amber Glenn is trading the ice for the ballroom this fall, joining the Season 35 cast of Dancing with the Stars. Her arrival alongside Paralympic gold medalist Ezra Frech marks a historic first for the long-running dance competition. As Glenn steps into an entirely new arena, fans are eager to learn more about the skater’s journey, her recent Olympic breakthrough, and what this bold career pivot means for her competitive future.
Amber Glenn’s Latest Update: Dancing with the Stars Debut
Amber Glenn’s addition to the Dancing with the Stars Season 35 lineup makes history, as she and Frech become the first Olympic and Paralympic gold medalists ever to share a single season of the show. The 26-year-old could also become just the fourth figure skater in the program’s history to lift the Mirrorball trophy, following in the footsteps of Kristi Yamaguchi, Meryl Davis and Adam Rippon.
Notably, Glenn arrives without stepping away from competitive skating, breaking a long-standing pattern, since every one of the ten figure skaters who previously appeared on the show had already wrapped up their elite careers.
The Dancing with the Stars premieres September 15, and seasons typically extend into late November, raising questions about how rehearsals will mesh with Glenn’s busy autumn skating calendar. She has yet to clarify how the two commitments will coexist.
Who Is Amber Glenn?
A native of Plano, Texas, Amber Glenn has dominated domestic figure skating in recent seasons, capturing three consecutive US titles. Her career reached new heights at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games, her Olympic debut, where she helped Team USA secure gold in the team event while placing fifth in the individual competition.
Despite the demands of elite competition, Glenn has been candid about wanting to continue as long as her body allows. She’s already been named to two stops on the fall Grand Prix circuit, Skate America and Japan’s NHK Trophy, both scheduled for November, according to entry lists released by the International Skating Union in June.
Her willingness to juggle a reality competition alongside a packed international schedule sets Glenn apart from every figure skater who came before her on the Dancing with the Stars stage.
