Image Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Amber Glenn is discovering that Olympic-level skating and ballroom dancing demand very different kinds of strength. The Olympic gold medalist joined the season 35 cast of Dancing With the Stars just months after her historic victory, creating an unusually intense schedule that combines ice training, live television rehearsals and constant public attention.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter on Oct. 6, 2026, Glenn described the experience as exhausting but rewarding. She is partnered with professional dancer Pasha Pashkov, and the pair has been working through a demanding weekly routine while Glenn continues to maintain her elite skating career.
Amber Glenn Reveals the Tough Reality of DWTS Training
Glenn said her body has generally responded well to the challenge, although her feet have been struggling with one major change: dancing in heels. As a skater, she has spent 21 years working in custom-made boots designed to provide stability and support. Wearing heels for hours at a time is far outside her normal routine.
“My feet aren’t happy,” Glenn explained, adding that they are swollen but not injured. She joked that getting back into her skating boots after rehearsals has become particularly uncomfortable. The athlete also referenced an incident in which she accidentally busted Pashkov’s nose, quickly reassuring fans that she was fine.
The physical adjustment is only one part of the challenge. Glenn said the mental workload is equally demanding because she must learn new choreography every week while also preparing for interviews, promotional content and social media appearances.
The Powerful Mental Challenge Behind the Performances
Glenn has spoken openly about having ADHD, saying it makes the process of absorbing complicated choreography especially intense. She wants to use every available minute in the studio to improve with Pashkov, but Dancing With the Stars requires more than technical progress.
Unlike a traditional athletic competition, the ABC series depends partly on audience votes. That means Glenn must not only perform but also allow viewers to understand her personality and connect with her story. She said she does not want to pretend to be someone else, yet she recognizes that visibility is an important part of succeeding on the show.
For an athlete accustomed to measuring progress through training, competition results and technical achievement, the entertainment side of the series has been a major adjustment. Glenn described the experience as mentally consuming, even though she is enjoying the opportunity and remains grateful for the support surrounding her.
Why Amber Glenn’s Heated Rivalry Routine Mattered
One of Glenn’s most memorable performances paid tribute to the popular series Heated Rivalry. The routine allowed her to connect her experience as a professional athlete with the show’s themes of identity, fear of judgment and the pressure to hide parts of oneself.
Glenn said she strongly identified with the story of athletes who worry that being open about who they are could affect their careers, relationships with teammates or commercial opportunities. She emphasized that the series is about more than romance, pointing to its portrayal of queer athletes and the challenges they face in sports.
The routine also carried personal significance because Glenn is a professional athlete in the public eye. With Pashkov’s help, she said the performance became a way to communicate her own story through movement rather than through a conventional interview.
“Pasha took it to a whole other level,” Glenn said, crediting her partner with helping her express the emotion behind the routine. The result was a performance that combined popular culture, sports and personal representation in a way that resonated with viewers.
When to Watch Dancing With the Stars Season 35
Dancing With the Stars season 35 airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC and Disney+. Episodes stream the following day on Hulu. Glenn’s crossover from Olympic skating to televised ballroom competition continues to give the season a compelling storyline, particularly as audiences watch her adapt to a completely different form of performance.
Her journey highlights the contrast between two disciplines that share rhythm, timing and balance but require very different physical instincts. On ice, Glenn can rely on years of muscle memory and controlled gliding. On the ballroom floor, she is learning to create a new kind of movement under intense time pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Amber Glenn partnered with on Dancing With the Stars?
Amber Glenn is partnered with professional dancer Pasha Pashkov during season 35 of Dancing With the Stars.
Why has dancing in heels been difficult for Amber Glenn?
Glenn has spent 21 years skating in custom boots and usually wears stable footwear away from the ice. Dancing in heels for extended periods has caused swelling and discomfort in her feet.
What physical condition has Amber Glenn discussed?
Glenn has discussed having ADHD and explained that learning new choreography each week requires intense concentration and focus.
What inspired Amber Glenn’s Heated Rivalry routine?
The routine was inspired by themes of queer identity, sports culture and the fear some athletes experience when deciding whether to be open about who they are.
When does Dancing With the Stars air?
Season 35 airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC and Disney+, with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.
