At a Glance
- Amber Glenn will make her Olympic debut at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games after winning three straight U.S. singles titles and a 2024-25 Grand Prix gold.
- She came out publicly in 2019 as bisexual and pansexual, becoming one of the few openly queer women in U.S. figure skating.
- Glenn embraces authenticity through pantsuits, pop music, and pride flags in arenas worldwide.
- Why it matters: Her visibility is reshaping a sport long bound by rigid gender expectations and inspiring a new generation of skaters.
Amber Glenn’s path to the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics is both a competitive milestone and a personal mission. The 26-year-old from Plano, Texas, has secured a spot on the 16-member U.S. figure-skating team, making her Olympic debut after years of national dominance.
First-time Olympian
With three consecutive singles gold medals at the U.S. Championships and a Grand Prix gold in the 2024-25 season, Glenn enters the Games as one of the strongest medal threats in women’s figure skating. A technically consistent jumper, she is known for her historic triple axel and a competitive record that senior editor Nick Zaccardi and Olympic medalist Adam Rippon highlighted on a recent podcast.
Breaking the mold
Glenn’s rise is inseparable from her decision to live authentically. In December 2019, at age 20, she came out as bisexual and pansexual in an interview with the Dallas Voice. The announcement drew national attention because elite figure skating rarely strays from its traditional image.
> “It feels like yesterday, but it also feels like this is how I’ve always been,” she told News Of Philadelphia‘s My New Favorite Olympian podcast. After stepping away from the sport at 14 for mental-health reasons, she returned on her own terms yet felt she did not fit the expected mold.
Training alongside fellow U.S. skater Timothy LeDuc-who in 2022 became the first openly non-binary Winter Olympian-provided a safe space. “They lived as themselves, and I felt safe with them,” Glenn said. “I saw the struggles they went through competing in a sport that’s very much like, you’re A or B. They were really inspiring to me.”
LeDuc praised Glenn’s consistency of character: “Something I noticed about Amber was that she was always very much herself. Skaters can get caught up in perfection… But Amber’s just always been Amber.”
Pride on the ice
The 2020 U.S. Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, marked Glenn’s first competition after coming out. Skating to Madilyn Bailey’s cover of Papa Roach’s Scars, she spotted pride flags in the stands.
> “People were cheering louder than ever. I almost started crying before I even skated. It was one of the most emotional performances of my life. I felt so free.”
The flags followed her internationally, even appearing at her first Four Continents event in Korea. “I thought, ‘Even here?’ Wow.”
Style choices
Glenn challenges norms through wardrobe and music, trading traditional skirts for pantsuits when the program’s story calls for it. “If I want to wear a pantsuit, I’m going to wear a pantsuit,” she said. Her programs have featured Madonna and Janet Jackson instead of classical ballet tracks, underscoring her dynamic style.
Although skaters are judged on how they embody femininity or masculinity, Glenn is unfazed by potential criticism.
Impact off the ice
Known as the “mama bear” for carrying a giant bag of handy supplies, Glenn mentors younger skaters crafting their own identities. Messages after competitions remind her that visibility matters.
> “Hearing their stories-what I’ve done in the spotlight might have helped them in their own communities-that’s what I gravitate toward.”
She acknowledges that coming out still carries risk. “It can be so hard because… we have to think about safety first. One of the best things you can do is find people who support you and accept you. If you’re in a safe place… hiding who you are is more damaging than anything anyone else could say.”
Eyes on Milan Cortina
Glenn will channel her journey into Olympic competition, seeking her first medal. To LeDuc, the significance extends beyond hardware.
> “Amber’s paving the way for so many skaters, queer and otherwise. She’s the champion we need right now.”
Listeners can hear extended interviews with Glenn on My New Favorite Olympian, available wherever podcasts are streamed.
Key Takeaways
- Glenn’s debut caps a dominant national run and positions her as a podium threat.
- Her openness about identity has turned rinks into more inclusive spaces.
- By blending athletic excellence with authenticity, she redefines what an Olympic figure skater can look and sound like.
