The 2026 Winter Olympics delivered an unforgettable crossover between pop culture and elite sport. At the Milano Ice Skating arena in Italy, American figure skater Amber Glenn stepped onto Olympic ice with more than technical ambition. She carried the legacy of a global music icon.
Glenn, 26, chose “Like a Prayer” by Madonna for her short program at the Milan-Cortina Games. The song, released in 1989, remains one of the most recognizable pop anthems in music history. Madonna’s catalog has shaped fashion, performance art, and identity for decades. For Glenn, skating to the track was both a tribute and a statement. What she did not expect was a direct response from the Queen of Pop herself.
Madonna’s Emotional Video Leaves Amber Glenn in Tears
After Glenn won gold in the figure skating team event, she revealed on TikTok that Madonna had interacted with her Instagram posts. The singer sent supportive messages and emojis after learning Glenn would skate to her song on the Olympic stage.
“I can’t wait to see it! I’m so proud of you!” Madonna wrote in one message. That alone would have been a career highlight. Instead, Madonna took it further.
Before Glenn performed her individual short program on February 17, she was handed a phone rinkside. In a video shared by NBC Sports, Madonna appeared on screen with a personal message. “I have to tell you, I was blown away,” the singer said. “You are an incredible skater. So strong, so beautiful, so brave. I can’t imagine you not winning. So I just wanted to wish you good luck. Go for that gold!”
© Getty ImagesThe moment stopped Glenn cold. She covered her mouth in disbelief. Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m in shock. I’m in total shock. I’m literally shaking. Oh my God!” she said. The athlete repeatedly thanked Madonna and added, “I hope I can do the song justice.”
Amber Glenn’s “Like a Prayer” Tribute at Milan-Cortina 2026
When Glenn took the ice at Milano Ice Skating in Milan, she didn’t just use the music. She leaned into the visual storytelling. Her costume echoed the look Madonna wore in the original “Like a Prayer” music video. Glenn chose a burgundy, off-the-shoulder dress with lace detailing, mirroring the bold aesthetic that helped define late-1980s pop culture.
© Getty ImagesFigure skating thrives on narrative and connection. Music selection shapes the emotional arc of a program. Choosing Madonna signaled confidence. It also bridged generations. Viewers who grew up with the song experienced nostalgia. Younger fans saw how pop history continues to evolve on Olympic ice.
A Costly Mistake Changes the Standings
Technically, the program began strongly. According to the Associated Press, Glenn opened with a powerful triple axel and delivered a solid combination. Those elements carry a high base value and demand precision under pressure.
However, near the end of the routine, she doubled a planned triple loop. In figure skating scoring, that matters. The element became invalid, resulting in no points. At the Olympic level, even a single error can significantly alter rankings.
© Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagThe mistake left Glenn in 13th place heading into the free skate, out of immediate contention for individual gold. Elite sport is brutal that way. One jump. One edge. One rotation short. The margin between podium and disappointment can be razor-thin.
Madonna’s Influence Beyond Music
Madonna’s impact stretches far beyond record sales. She reshaped performance art, gender expression, and pop spectacle. Seeing her support a modern Olympic athlete underscores how art and sport intersect.
Music often becomes an athlete’s emotional anchor. It frames choreography and sets the tempo. For Glenn, “Like a Prayer” was not background noise. It was a declaration.
© Getty ImagesThere is something powerful about an artist witnessing their work take on new life in another arena.
Amber Glenn may not have captured individual gold in her short program, but the moment with Madonna will endure. In a game defined by pressure, she experienced a rare pause in human connection.
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