With the intense Olympic season done and the exhilarating Stars on Ice tour complete, three-time U.S. women's champion Amber Glenn was spending her summer readying for the new skating season. Then, she received a delightful surprise — a call to join Season 35 of "Dancing with the Stars."
 
"When I heard that they wanted me, it was obviously a yes," Glenn said. "What am I going to do, say no and pass up on an opportunity of lifetime? It's something different, something new. I wanted to try this and be a part of it. I wish it didn't interfere with the competitions and Grand Prixs, but I've done Grand Prixs before and I'm never going to get the chance to do something like this again."

 
The gold medalist from the 2026 Olympic Winter Games figure skating team event will be partnered by Pasha Pashkov, a professional dancer in his eighth season with the series. Glenn has already taken him out on the ice, which he embraced.
 
"It was cool making him come into my domain," Glenn said. "He was all about it. The first thing he tried to do was crossovers. I related crossovers to certain steps and showed him what they are, so I think he was excited to try."
 
While traditional ballroom dances, such as waltz and foxtrot, come more naturally to Glenn because of a similarity to the flow of skating, she's enjoying learning the Latin dances because they're different than moves she has done on the ice.
 
"It's a challenge and it's new, but there is definitely some stuff that I gravitate toward, of course I love spinning; it's a lot of fun to just twirl and it's natural for me," Glenn said. "There are certain parts that my partner Pasha is letting me shine on my own and then come back into the partnered routine. I'm appreciative of our partnership and what has challenged me and what's been easier for me because of my skating background."
 
Several skaters have taken part in "Dancing with the Stars," with Kristi Yamaguchi, Meryl Davis and Adam Rippon winning the coveted Mirror Ball trophy. Rippon recently appeared on the summer series "Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro," and she's hoping he will stop by the rehearsal studio and attend a show. Glenn has texted with Davis, who has been incredibly upbeat. 
 
Glenn will continue to train on the ice during "Dancing with the Stars" with the intention of competing in the second half of the season. She is learning different styles of dance and how to move her body in different ways. As a singles skater, performing with a partner has a learning curve.
 
"It's already been such an interesting experience," Glenn said. "I've been skating for as long as I can remember, but this is something new that I'm starting as a beginner again. It's made me hungry to learn more and keep going, pushing and seeing what I can do. My partner has been positive and encouraging. I'm hoping it can help not just my own skating, but one day as a coach and choreographer I can expand what I know and how I move.
 
"When I dance, I feel more in tune with my body and I'm able to incorporate that into my skating."
 
The season kicks off with a two-night premiere Sept. 15 and 16 on ABC and Disney+ and streams the next day on Hulu. Viewers can vote online and via text during the live broadcasts. Among the cast are actress Tatyana Ali, celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, Paralympian Ezra French and movie star Julia Stiles.