MILAN — It wasn’t precisely a prayer that Madonna answered for American determine skater Amber Glenn.

Extra like a want and a dream.

Simply earlier than Glenn carried out her quick program at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Tuesday evening, which is about to Madonna’s music “Like a Prayer,” she obtained a video from the “Queen of Pop” wishing her luck within the particular person competitors on the Winter Video games.

Seems that Madonna had seen a clip of Glenn performing to her music.

“I’ve to let you know, I used to be blown away by it,” Madonna tells Glenn within the video. “You’re an unimaginable skater. So sturdy, so lovely, so courageous. I am unable to think about that you wouldn’t win. So I simply need to say good luck. Go get that gold.”

Glenn lined up her mouth in shock whereas watching.

“I am in shock. I am in full shock,” she stated. “I am legitimately shaking. Oh my God.”

Madonna is not the one big-name celeb tossing her assist behind Glenn and teammates Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito, who’ve dubbed themselves the “Blade Angels.” Pop famous person Taylor Swift supplied the voice-over for an NBC spot highlighting them.

The difficulty of music rights grew to become an enormous downside for determine skaters in the course of the Milan Cortina Video games. A number of needed to frantically attempt to get approval for his or her program music on the final minute, and a few have been even pressured to vary their packages fully.

Glenn was amongst these who had an issue.

Her free skate is about to “The Return” by Seb McKinnon, who produces music beneath the identify CLANN. He posted on social media that he was shocked to listen to the music throughout Glenn’s efficiency within the crew competitors, which helped the U.S. win the gold medal.

McKinnon stated that Glenn didn’t have the right permission to make use of the music, though it has been part of her program for the final two years. However the two spoke on the telephone a few days later and managed to clean all the pieces out.

“I’m very honored that Amber selected my music for her routine, received gold no much less!” McKinnon stated. “I’m completely satisfied issues have been resolved amicably and that we each stand for the safety of artist rights.”

The outspoken Glenn had been requested about music rights on the eve of the Olympics. She stated on the time, “If I do get a message from Madonna saying she does not need me to skate to her music, I will simply be excited to get a message from Madonna.”

Glenn ended up getting the perfect of each worlds.

“You’re an icon and a legend eternally,” Glenn stated in response to Madonna’s video, “and thanks for supporting athletes of their inventive ventures, and I hope I can do the music justice. Thanks.”

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AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics