A bold quickstep, a sparkling Disney Night costume and a confident change of roles put figure skater Amber Glenn in the spotlight on Dancing with the Stars. Her performance with professional dancer Pasha Pashkov marked a first for the US show, while fans celebrated a moment that felt both athletic and refreshingly queer.

Essential Takeaways

  • A DWTS first: Glenn took the lead from her male professional partner during their Disney Night quickstep.
  • A musical moment: The pair danced to “A Star Is Born” from Hercules.
  • Fans noticed the look: Glenn’s performance outfit showed off her powerful back muscles, drawing excited reactions online.
  • A wider shift: Same-sex partnerships and more flexible dance roles are bringing fresh visibility to televised competitions.

Amber Glenn’s quickstep changed the usual script

On Disney Night, Amber Glenn wasn’t simply keeping pace with her professional partner. In a quickstep to “A Star Is Born” from Hercules, the figure skater took the lead from Pasha Pashkov, creating a first for Dancing with the Stars, according to ABC13. The routine made a clear impression: she looked commanding, quick and entirely at home out front.

The change matters because ballroom choreography often defaults to a male lead and a female follow. Glenn’s performance briefly flipped that familiar arrangement, showing how a dance can feel newly charged when its roles shift. (ABC13; them.)

Strong lines, sharp footwork and a fan-favourite look

The quickstep had plenty of pace, but Glenn’s athletic presence was part of the appeal. Her outfit left her muscular back visible, and she played to the moment with a confident flex that had sapphic fans cheering online, as DIVA reported.

There’s a pleasing contrast in watching a figure skater bring the strength and control of the rink to a fast ballroom routine. Glenn’s performance made that physicality part of the show, rather than something hidden behind the choreography. (ABC13; them.)

Queer representation is finding room on the dancefloor

Glenn’s moment landed during a season with more than one queer story. This year’s US competition included a same-sex pairing between bisexual model Sarah Jane Nadar and professional dancer Hailey Bills; the partnership was eliminated early, according to AOL.

Meanwhile, the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing featured a same-sex partnership between actor Bethany Antonia and professional dancer Nancy Xu. Radio Times covered the pairing, which offered another welcome reminder that dance partnerships needn’t follow the traditional boy-meets-girl template. (AOL; Radio Times; Associated Press)

A skating career meets reality TV

Glenn came to the ballroom with a high-profile sporting career already behind her. US Figure Skating announced that she would compete on Dancing with the Stars, bringing an elite skater’s balance, timing and performance instincts to a very different stage.

That background doesn’t make ballroom an easy glide. Skating and dancing share musicality and precision, but each has its own technique, so adapting those strengths takes work. Still, Glenn’s quickstep showed how a familiar talent can take on a new shape under the bright lights. (US Figure Skating; them.)

What might Amber Glenn bring next?

The episode’s history-making choreography and lively online response have given viewers plenty to talk about beyond the final score. A change in who leads can seem small on paper, but on a live dance floor it alters the whole picture.

For anyone tuning in for the next performance, watch how the pair share the space and how Glenn uses her athletic strength without losing the quickstep’s light touch. Sometimes the most memorable part of a routine is the moment it breaks with expectation. (ABC13; them.)

A little role reversal can make a familiar dance feel new again.

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