This year’s Stars on Ice tour is all about celebrating the success of U.S. skaters at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, where the U.S. won the team gold medal and Alysa Liu took the women’s title. It was a thrilling and deeply satisfying competition for the U.S. team, most of whom are part of the main cast of this year’s show (along with 2014 and 2022 Olympian Jason Brown). But, even as the show honors Team USA’s amazing success in Milano, it also acknowledges the pressure and nerves of the Olympics. Both themes ran parallel in this year’s show at Agganis Arena in Boston, which I attended last weekend.
The Olympics are a lot! Every four years, top athletes compete with the eyes of the press and sports fans worldwide trained on them. The rarity, visibility, and exclusivity of the Olympics make it the ultimate prize. It’s an event where dreams can turn into literal and figurative gold, but also a place where dreams can implode. Both scenarios happened for members of the U.S. team in Milano. And Stars on Ice nods to that reality.
The Boston show opened with a dramatic, stirring number to “Brink of Annihalation”/”Fearless” by Tommie Proffitt. Wearing dark-hued, somber costumes, the skaters seemed like warriors ready to fight to realize their Olympic dreams. “Time to be fearless, time to be brave / Ready for battle, whatever it takes / Staring these demons down in the face / This is our moment, this is our fight,” the song’s lyrics sang. The program spotlighted the now-or-never, do-or-die pressure of the Olympics.
Later on, the mood turned more festive, with an extended sequence (“American Gold”) celebrating the Olympic team event. This sequence gave the skaters and audience a chance to re-live the excitement of the U.S. team gold-medal win.
The sequence began with Alysa Liu performing her Olympic short program to “Promise” by Laufey. This lovely and soulful program has earned high praise and scores ever since the first time Liu performed it in 2024, and it’s now become a signature piece for her. Liu landed a triple flip and double Axel in her performance, and completed some beautiful spins.
The other U.S. skaters who were part of the team gold medal–Malinin, Glenn, Chock/Bates, and Kam/O’Shea–then joined Liu on the ice for some skating and conversation.
“The seven of us skaters got together for this little competition in Italy,” Evan Bates joked to the crowd.
Each team member then performed a section of their Olympic free programs. Kam/O’Shea skated to the final minute of their “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” free skate, showing off two outstanding lifts. Afterward, they credited Amber Glenn with suggesting the music to them. Glenn then performed the final step and choreographic sequences from her Olympic free skate.
Next, Alysa Liu challenged the crowd: “Do you think you can clap on beat?” Once the audience got in rhythm, Chock and Bates performed the flamenco “clapping” choreo sequence from their Olympic free dance–with no musical accompaniment other than the crowd’s clapping! Ilia Malinin then wowed the audience by performing the final minute of his Olympic free skate, featuring a back walkover flip and raspberry spin.
“Wasn’t that something, but not nothing?” Amber Glenn joked to the crowd, echoing the now-famous voiceover in Malinin’s free skate. The U.S. team medal winners then put on their team jackets and medals stood on a facsimile medal stand to cheer their victory.
Chock and Bates closed out the Olympic team sequence by performing their “Paint It Black” flamenco free skate, which went viral during the Games. For me, this performance was one of the most memorable in this year’s show. It was the first time I’d had a chance to see the dance in person, and it lived up to its reputation. Chock and Bates’s matador-and-bull program truly stands out among recent competitive free dances in the way it focuses on storytelling and mood, rather than elements. Chock and Bates skated the program with ease and power, and their presence on the ice felt very big. When I heard the final beats of the music, I had the same feeling as when I saw it on TV this season–I didn’t want it to end!
For fans who followed the U.S. skaters’ performances throughout the 2025-26 season, it felt like a lovely, full-circle moment to see highlights of these now familiar–and beloved–Olympic programs in Stars on Ice. It was also great to see the team’s obvious affection for each other and camaraderie (which also came out in the show’s entertaining group routines).
There were many other moments that also referenced Milano. Isabeau Levito also skated her Olympic short program, “Zou Bisou Bisou,” which the crowd enjoyed. She landed a double Axel and showed a gorgeous Biellmann spin with both arms wrapped around her leg. Levito’s elegance and extension were lovely, and what made this piece memorable–as well as her other number in the show (“Material Girl”)–was its touch of playful, charming humor.
Amber Glenn’s two numbers in the show–her Olympic short program to Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” and her gala routine to Lady Gaga’s “That’s Life”–both felt like statement pieces for the much-beloved U.S. champion.
“Like a Prayer” highlighted the excitement Glenn brings to her skating, with big jumps and great freedom of movement. She landed a perfect triple loop and triple flip in the program. The moment where she did her high kick to “Let the choir sing!” felt iconic and brought a cheer from the crowd.
Glenn also skated beautifully to “That’s Life.” The lyrics of this song mirror the many ups and downs of Glenn’s career, as she’s fought both internal doubts and external doubters to eventually triumph as U.S. and Olympic team champion. A highlight of this program was Glenn’s terrific cantilever move, with both arms fully free and extended.
Glenn was also part of a group number to “Golden” from K-Pop Demon Hunters with Liu and Levito. The three popular stars of Team USA–together dubbed the “Blade Angels” in pre-Olympic media promotions–clearly had fun skating to this girl-empowerment anthem: “I’m done hiding / Now I’m shining / How I was meant to be.” The program featured triple knee slides, triple Ina Bauers, and ended with all three skaters simultaneously doing a signature spin. (Liu performed her high-scoring layback spin, without the usual Biellmann position.) The warmth of the women’s friendship shone through in this group number.
The show’s male stars also performed a funky group program to Bruno Mars’s “I Just Might,” in which they had fun skating around in stylish light blue suits and playing to the crowd. The “Too Darn Hot” full-cast group number, which closed the first act, was also a stunner. This program used different vocal versions of the famous jazz song, from Ella Fitzgerald, Cole Porter, and a male quartet, as the backdrop for shifting groups of skaters performing flirty, intricate choreography to match the sultry lyrics.
Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea performed two high-energy programs that seemed to include every possible heartstopping pairs trick, from an over-the-head Detroiter spin to headbangers to a move where O’Shea slides through Kam’s legs on the ice. Kam/O’Shea were the ultimate in athletic pairs skating here, showing off crowd-pleasing energy, great flow, and of course, those spectacular lifts.
Andrew Torgashev also got the crowd going in his first program to “Out of Time,” doing some air-guitar moves and multiple butterflies, as well as two triples. Torgashev later performed a version of his Olympic free skate, set to a mashup of classical and techno music. His power on the ice is quite stunning to see in person. Torgashev seems to gain speed and strength throughout his programs, ending each with an explosive flourish.
Jason Brown, in contrast, shone with his absolutely effortless flow and glide. Always a highlight, the two-time Olympian is pure pleasure to watch in Stars on Ice. Brown’s first program, to “Friend Like Me” by Ne-Yo, puts his abilities as a showman on display. He used props to great effect, did push-ups on the ice, executed an incredible slide move with a chair, and finished with four Russian splits–nonstop entertainment.
Brown’s other piece–a version of his pristine 2024-25 “Spiegel im Spiegel” free skate–displays, in contrast, his total mastery of the art of skating. Whether it was a triple Lutz, camel spin, or forward spiral, he showed every moment to its maximum potential, like a master craftsman. I was impressed by his ability to find moments of singular beauty and phrasing within the “Spiegel” music, which, although lovely, tends toward the monotone.
U.S. ice dancers Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko performed a fun, dancey program to music by Nelly Furtado. Guest stars Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, who recently won bronze at the 2026 World Championships in Prague, skated to “Work Song” by Hozier. This bluesy, soulful piece was a nice change of pace for Zingas/Kolesnik, showing off their chemistry and smooth skating.
The show’s Olympic inspiration came to the forefront again with Alysa Liu’s “Stateside.” The crowd loved Liu’s iconic dance moves in this routine, and there were some great choreographic touches, including a donut spin set to a swirling crescendo, and a leap to match the “Oops!” in the lyrics. The program also highlighted Liu’s athleticism and skating skills, as she included an an excellent triple Lutz, double Axel, and her outstanding Biellmann spin. Seen live, Liu’s skating is all about edges, curves, and sinuous power. As much as her personality pops on the ice, it’s the underlying foundation of strong skating skills and technique that sets the stage.
While Liu enjoyed Olympic glory in Milano, Ilia Malinin unfortunately experienced a different reality: Failure to win, despite coming in as the prohibitive favorite. Courageously, Malinin didn’t shy away from this narrative at all in Stars on Ice, but instead confronted it.
Malinin started his number to Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” sitting on the ice in the darkness, his head in his hands, hiding under a hoodie. The agonizing lyrics throbbed through the arena: “If you had one shot or opportunity / To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment / Would you capture it or just let it slip? / His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy.” It felt like a glimpse into his experience in Milano. Skating to this music showed a vulnerability on Malinin’s part that couldn’t help but be moving. Yet, moments later, his insouciant, optimistic side resurfaced to the upbeat strains of “Jump Around.” Soon Malinin was once more throwing off jumps, leaps, and spins. He stayed in character as he exited the ice, slouching off with his hand in his pocket.
Malinin’s other solo was to the rock-n-roll romance song “I Was Made for Lovin’ You.” He started this routine with a rose in his hand, which he later handed to an audience member. This program had some gorgeous lyrical moments, featuring great musicality, along with his usual big jumps. When Malinin wants to, he can be a beautiful skater, as well as an exciting one.
The three-time World champion kept reaching out to the crowd throughout the show–slapping hands with audience members, doing back flips, pumping his arms to involve the crowd. It was evident how much he enjoyed performing, even in group numbers. Although known for his incredible athletic ability, Malinin’s performances in Stars on Ice and other gala shows suggest he’s only just begun to tap his potential as an artist.
The show concluded with a festive group finale to “Life in Color.” Now clad in bright, kaleidoscopic costumes, the cast evoked the joy of the OIympic season in this final number. It was a great ending; and the Boston crowd thanked the skaters with wave after wave of applause. The skaters circled the audience twice to greet fans.
While they were doing so, Ilia Malinin broke away for one more swoop around the ice and back flip, as if he just couldn’t stop himself. Malinin was also the last to exit the arena. After the rest of the cast disappeared into the tunnel, he stopped, alone, turned to the crowd, and stood for a moment. To wave one final good-bye.
Click here to see our full gallery of photos from 2026 U.S. Stars on Ice. All photographs by Erin Crowley.
