Amber Glenn made a notable entrance on Dancing with the Stars Season 35, performing a cha-cha to Santana’s hit “Smooth” during the two-night premiere. The Olympic figure skater, partnered with Pasha Pashkov, showcased her skills in front of her fellow contestants on Wednesday night.
Judges awarded the duo an 18 out of 30, placing them in a tie for third on the second night of the season opener. While the score reflected a solid effort, the panel’s feedback highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement in Glenn’s debut.
Judges’ Perspectives on Glenn’s Performance
Bruno Tonioli commended Glenn’s fierce approach, describing her as having “attacked the dance like a warrior queen,” and applauded her confident attitude. Derek Hough acknowledged her impressive body awareness but suggested she needed to feel more grounded on the dance floor. Meanwhile, Carrie Ann Inaba emphasized the challenge of transitioning from solo skating to partnered dancing, noting that it requires a distinct kind of focus.
Despite the critiques, Glenn and Pashkov successfully avoided elimination in the opening round. Reflecting on her experience, Glenn admitted the transition from skating to ballroom dancing was more challenging than anticipated. “I didn’t realize it would be such a drastic difference between skating and ballroom,” she said. “I’m usually on top of ice, not trying to dig into the dance floor. So I’m just going to work on that the next couple of days.”
The premiere concluded with the elimination of Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills, marking the first departures of the season as Glenn and Pashkov continue their journey on the competition.