Glenn will compete in season 35 of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ alongside celebrity contestants, including Jenna Dewan, Julia Stiles and Harry Shum Jr.

NEED TO KNOW

• Olympian Amber Glenn is paired with pro Pasha Pashkov for Dancing with the Stars season 35
• The Olympic gold medalist tells PEOPLE she was “slightly terrified” after watching Pashkov do this one thing
• Season 35 of DWTS also includes celebrity contestants Jenna Dewan, Julia Stiles and Harry Shum Jr.

Olympian Amber Glenn is ready to take on the Dancing with the Stars ballroom with partner Pasha Pashkov, but she would be lying if she said she wasn’t nervous. 

While the Olympic figure skater, 27, has performed applause-worthy programs throughout her skating career and struck gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, she admits she was “slightly terrified” about what was in store for her this DWTS season after seeing Pashkov dance with his wife Daniella Karagach. 

“[He is] one of the best in the world, absolutely incredible. I got to watch him and his wife dance, and I am in awe,” she tells PEOPLE while at Good Morning America on Wednesday, Sept. 2. “It was very intimidating; I’m not going to lie. I was slightly terrified, but I’m just so thrilled.”

“I’ve been having a great time. [He’s] such a great teacher, patient, kind, thank God. I’m already having to take instructions from a man, no offense,” Glenn adds, patting Pashkov on the arm. “So the fact that he’s very patient and kind with it is very much appreciated because I don’t know what else would’ve happened if he wasn’t.”

Pashkov, who’s been a pro on DWTS since season 28, also tells PEOPLE that sharing “a rehearsal space together, with Amber, every day, it’s a privilege.” 

“It’s an honor, and I think I might be able to teach her a move or two this season, but she’ll be able to teach me a lot more,” he continues. “I’m really looking forward to spending a lot of time around this powerful, positive aura.”

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Signing on to be part of DWTS for its upcoming season was an “easy yes” for Glenn, a fan of the hit dance competition show. Ever since she saw Olympic ice dancer Meryl Davis compete on season 18, the Olympian says she has wanted to join the cast. 

“It definitely was hard because I have to sit out a few figure skating competitions, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m so glad I said yes,” she says. 

Having experience performing in competitions where thousands of people are watching, Glenn says she knows how “stressful” it can be, but she is excited for the opportunity DWTS will give her “to show who I am and what I love.” 

“Part of what I love is creativity and being able to move and tell a story, and that’s what Dancing with the Stars is all about,” she says. “We’re able to come out every week with a new routine, a new background, new costumes, new hair, new makeup, everything.”

Glenn continues, “It’s something I’ve never done before, in this type of way, and I’m really looking forward to doing it, but I think being able to perform in front of that many people live in the past has definitely prepared me for something like this. But it will definitely be different.” 

Dancing with the Stars returns with a two-night premiere on Tuesday, Sept. 15, and Wednesday, Sept. 16, on ABC and Disney+. Episodes will stream the following day on Hulu.

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