Amber Glenn Short Program Song Explained: Why Madonna’s ‘Like a Prayer’ Has Special Meaning to U.S. Figure Skaters originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
Olympic figure skating may be nearing its end. But there’s still time for the pyrotechnics in the women’s singles event, which is the biggest draw of one of the Olympics’ biggest sports.
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The two-day competition will feature 29 stars, who will complete short program and free skate routines. Few of these talented individuals are as compelling, at least to American audiences, as the brilliant American actor Amber Glenn.
The 26-year-old is an anomaly in this area. First, Glenn is older than most of her opponents. She is also openly bisexual and pansexual. Her openness about her sexuality has made her popular with viewers, especially those who belong to the LGBTQ+ community.
Additionally, Glenn’s performance is clever. Her skating style is elegant. But it’s also intense.
Glenn’s personality comes through as she prances across the ice. It’s especially noteworthy as a famous refrain blasts from the stadium speakers as she dashes from one end of the rink to the other.
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With that, here’s what you need to know about Glenn’s short program—namely, its soundtrack.
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Why Amber Glenn used Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” in her short program
The songs Glenn chose for her short program were ones familiar to figure skating fans of a certain age. When she embraced a shortcoming, she did so with Madonna’s 1989 hit “Like a Prayer.”
The song is an iconic song and was the focus of the beloved album of the same name, which went on to sell over 15 million copies worldwide. But it predates Glenn by a decade. So why is she so obsessed with this ditty?
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Glenn credits her choreographer Katherine Hill for assisting her.
“‘Like a Prayer’ was a suggestion from my choreographer,” Glenn told USA Today.
Glenn was initially unconvinced by the tune, associating it with a children’s choir cover of the song in two clips from the 2024 film Deadpool vs. Wolverine.
However, Hill insisted that Glenn use the song. After analyzing the lyrics, Glenn was convinced.
“Ultimately, we really explored the meaning behind it and the passion we could really put into the program,” Glenn said. “I’m very happy with the results.”
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More:A Complete Guide to the Figure Skating Scoring System
like a prayer
life is a mystery
everyone must stand alone
I hear you calling my name
And it feels like homewhen you call my name
like a small prayer
I kneel down
I want to take you there
at midnight
I can feel your power
like praying
you know i’ll take you therei hear your voice
like an angel’s sigh
I have no choice
i hear your voice
It feels like flying
I close my eyes
Oh my God, I think I’m falling.
Falling from the sky
I close my eyes
Heaven, help mewhen you call my name
like a small prayer
I kneel down
I want to take you there
at midnight
I can feel your power
like praying
you know i’ll take you therelike a child
you whisper to me softly
under your control
just like a child
now i’m dancing
like a dream
no end nor beginning
you are by my side
like a dream
Let the choir singwhen you call my name
like a small prayer
I kneel down
I want to take you there
at midnight
I can feel your power
like praying
you know i’ll take you therewhen you call my name
like a small prayer
I kneel down
I want to take you there
at midnight
I can feel your power
like praying
you know i’ll take you therelife is a mystery
everyone must stand alone
I hear you calling my name
And it feels like homelike praying
Your voice can take me there
like my muse
you are a mystery
like a dream
you are not what you seem
Just like praying, there is no choice
Your voice can take me thereLike a prayer, I’ll take you there
this is like a dream to me
Like a prayer, I’ll take you there
this is like a dream to me
Like a prayer, I’ll take you there
this is like a dream to me
Like a prayer, I’ll take you there
this is like a dream to melike praying
Your voice can take me there
like my muse
you are a mystery
like a dream
you are not what you seem
Just like praying, there is no choice
Your voice can take me therelike praying
Your voice can take me there
like my muse
you are a mystery
like a dream
you are not what you seem
Just like praying, there is no choice
Your voice can take me there
Your voice can take me there
like prayingLike a prayer, your voice can take me there
it’s like a prayer
Like a prayer, your voice can take me there
it’s like a prayer
Like a prayer, your voice can take me there
it’s like a prayer
Like a prayer, your voice can take me there
it’s like a prayer
More: What you need to know about Amber Glenn’s sexual orientation
Madonna shouts out Amber Glenn for short program
Glenn wasn’t the only one pleased with her short program. Madonna praised the 26-year-old skater on Instagram on February 10, calling Glenn a “bad guy on the ice.”
She took another step forward in Glen’s women’s singles game. The “Queen of Pop” praised Glenn in a video shown to him by NBC Sports staff.
“Amber Glenn, I just watched you skate to my song ‘Like a Prayer,’ and I have to tell you, I was blown away by it,” Madonna said. “You are an incredible skater. So strong, so beautiful, so brave. I can’t imagine you not winning.”
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Glenn was startled by this move.
“I’m shocked, I’m completely shocked,” Glenn said, watching the video. “I’m literally shaking. Oh my God.”
More: Inside Team USA’s “Alt, Gay and New Jersey” figure skating team