It’s not every day that an Olympic athlete gets a pep talk from one of the biggest pop icons in history. But that’s exactly what happened to Amber Glenn — and the moment left her completely overwhelmed.
As she prepared to take the ice in Milan for the women’s short program, Glenn received an unforgettable surprise: a personalized video message from Madonna herself. The skating star had built her routine around the 1989 smash hit “Like a Prayer,” and the Queen of Pop wanted her to know she was watching.
A Surprise From the Queen of Pop
In behind-the-scenes footage shared by NBC Sports on Feb. 17, Glenn can be seen bracing herself before pressing play on the surprise clip. Within seconds, her hands fly to her mouth in disbelief.
“I just watched you skate to my song ‘Like a Prayer,’ and I have to tell you, I was blown away,” Madonna says in the video. She goes on to praise Glenn’s strength, artistry, and courage, adding that she couldn’t imagine the skater not taking home gold.
For Glenn, it was almost too much to process.
“I’m sorry, I’m in shock,” she says once the message ends, visibly emotional. “Oh my God. I’m literally shaking.”
The moment quickly became one of the most talked-about highlights leading into the competition.
A Heartfelt Response
Still catching her breath, Glenn recorded a message of her own for the pop legend.
“My queen, thank you so much,” she said warmly. “You are beautiful, stunning, amazing — an icon forever. Thank you for supporting athletes in their artistic endeavors. I hope I can do the song justice.”
The exchange showcased not only Glenn’s admiration for Madonna, but also the powerful connection between music and sport. Skating routines often rely on emotional storytelling, and “Like a Prayer” provided Glenn with a dramatic, high-energy canvas to express herself on the ice.
Competition Heats Up in Milan
The encouragement came just before Glenn stepped onto the ice for the women’s short program at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan. She ultimately placed 13th in the overall standings after the segment.
Meanwhile, fellow Team USA skaters Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito ranked third and eighth, respectively, keeping American hopes alive in the competition.
Earlier in the Games, Glenn had also competed in the free skate, performing to “The Return” by CLANN — the musical project of Canadian artist Seb McKinnon.
Clearing the Air Over Music Rights
That free skate performance, which earned Glenn a gold medal, briefly sparked conversation online after McKinnon expressed concern about not being consulted regarding the song’s use.
Soon after, both Glenn and the artist confirmed that the matter had been resolved. Glenn explained that she had discovered CLANN’s music two years earlier and felt deeply connected to it. She acknowledged that music licensing can be complicated and described the situation as a minor “hiccup” in the process.
“I’m glad we cleared things up with Seb,” she shared, adding that she looks forward to collaborating in the future.
A Defining Olympic Moment
While the competition continues, it’s clear that one of Glenn’s most unforgettable Olympic memories may not be a jump or a spin — but a message of encouragement from one of music’s greatest icons.
For an athlete who pours emotion into every movement, hearing Madonna’s words of praise was more than just a celebrity shoutout. It was validation from the very artist who helped shape the energy of her routine.
And as Glenn so honestly admitted in the moment — she was still trying to steady herself.
“I’m literally shaking.”