Madonna's Surprise Video Message Electrifies Amber Glenn Before Olympic Short Program
In a stunning and unexpected moment at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, pop icon Madonna delivered a powerful boost to U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn just hours before the women's short program on February 17. The global superstar sent a personal video message praising Glenn's routine set to her classic hit "Like a Prayer" and encouraging her to pursue Olympic gold, creating an emotional and widely shared highlight ahead of the competition.
The Perfect Timing of Madonna's Encouragement
The timing of Madonna's message proved particularly significant. Amber Glenn entered the Olympic competition with strong momentum from recent performances and realistic medal aspirations. However, receiving direct encouragement from the very artist whose music shaped her program completely surprised the 26-year-old skater, adding an extraordinary layer of inspiration to an already crucial night in her career.
Amber Glenn's Journey to Olympic Contention
Amber Glenn, hailing from Plano, Texas, has overcome substantial early career setbacks and mental health challenges to reach this elite Olympic stage. Her consistent progress throughout the 2025–26 season demonstrated her growing confidence and technical mastery.
Key achievements leading to the Olympics included:
- Winning her third consecutive U.S. national title in January 2026
- Setting a short program record score of 83.05 points while skating to Madonna's "Like a Prayer"
- Securing third place in the team event free skate earlier in the Olympics
- Contributing significantly to the United States team gold medal victory with 69 points, ahead of Japan
Glenn's short program features an ambitious triple Axel attempt and a distinctive burgundy costume inspired by the iconic look from Madonna's "Like a Prayer" music video. She competes as part of the American "Blade Angels" group alongside 2025 world champion Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito, facing formidable competition from Japan's Kaori Sakamoto and other elite skaters in a deeply competitive field.
Madonna's Heartfelt Message Goes Viral
After viewing a clip of Glenn's routine, Madonna recorded a special message for the skater. "I just watched you dance to my song, 'Like A Prayer,' and I have to tell you I was blown away by it. You are an incredible skater. So strong, so beautiful, so brave. I can't imagine that you would not win, so I just want to say good luck. Go get that gold!" Madonna declared in her video.
Glenn's reaction was immediate and emotional, with the skater covering her mouth in astonishment and admitting she was "legitimately shaking." She described Madonna as an icon and expressed gratitude for the artist's support of athletes and their artistic expression, emphasizing her hope to do justice to the beloved song through her performance.
Resolving Music Clearance Concerns Before the Games
A minor concern emerged before the Olympics when Glenn's team initially planned to use "The Return" by Seb McKinnon for her free skate without proper clearance. Fortunately, this situation was resolved amicably and without dispute, allowing Glenn to focus entirely on her Olympic preparations.
Interestingly, Glenn had previously joked that even receiving a message from Madonna telling her not to use the music would be exciting simply because it would come from the legendary artist. Instead, she received the ultimate encouragement directly from the pop superstar herself.
Focus Shifts to the Olympic Free Skate
The women's short program took place on February 17, with Amber Glenn scheduled to skate in the prestigious final group. Her national title success and team gold medal performance positioned her firmly among the top contenders for individual Olympic honors.
Adding to the attention surrounding American skaters, Taylor Swift appeared in an NBC promotional segment supporting the Blade Angels, further highlighting the cultural significance of the event. The women's free skate is scheduled for February 19, where Glenn will attempt to translate her strong season performance, team success, and high-profile celebrity support into an individual Olympic medal achievement.
