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Amber Glenn and Ezra Frech Set to Make 'Dancing with the Stars' History in Season 35
Olympic figure skating gold medalist Amber Glenn and Paralympic track and field gold medalist Ezra Frech join the Season 35 cast of 'Dancing with the Stars,' marking the first time an Olympic and Paralympic gold medalist compete in the same season. The two-night premiere airs September 15 and 16 on ABC and Disney+.
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A Historic First for the Ballroom
When "Dancing with the Stars" returns for its 35th season, it will feature a first in the show's history: an Olympic gold medalist and a Paralympic gold medalist competing side by side in the same season. Figure skater Amber Glenn and Para track and field athlete Ezra Frech are both part of the newly announced cast, as confirmed by multiple reports.
Glenn, 26, from Plano, Texas, is the reigning S. champion and captured Olympic gold with Team USA in the figure skating team event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games. She also finished fifth in the individual women's competition. Frech, 21, from Los Angeles, won two gold medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, taking titles in the T63 100 meters and high jump. The pair's participation was announced Wednesday as part of the full Season 35 cast reveal.
Two Champions, Two Journeys
Glenn enters the ballroom at a pivotal point in her competitive career. She won her third consecutive S. national title in January, earning her first Olympic team berth, and closed the season with a sixth-place finish at the World Championships in March. Unlike many figure skaters who have appeared on the show, Glenn remains an active elite competitor—a distinction noted in reports.
She is scheduled for the 2026-27 Grand Prix season, with assignments at Skate America and the NHK Trophy in Japan in November, according to the International Skating Union announcement in June. In April, Glenn said she planned to continue competing "as long as my body keeps going and is healthy," as quoted by one report.
Frech, a world-record holder and co-founder of Angel City Sports, was born with congenital limb differences. He is bidding to compete at the 2028 Paralympic Games in his hometown of Los Angeles. His appearance on "Dancing with the Stars" makes him the first Paralympian on the show since 2018, when Alpine skier Danelle Umstead competed in season 27. He is also the second Summer Paralympian and Paralympic gold medalist to compete, following swimmer Victoria Arlen in season 25 in 2017; Para snowboarder Amy Purdy competed in season 18 in 2014, finishing as runner-up.
Partnering Up
Glenn is paired with professional dancer Pasha Pashkov, a Russia-born dancer who has been on the show since 2019 and whose best finish was third place alongside Ariana Madix in Season 32. Frech is partnered with Daniella Karagach. The premiere dates are set for September 15 and 16, airing at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with episodes streaming the following day on Hulu.
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Framing: The headline emphasizes a historic first: an Olympic champion and a Paralympic champion competing together on Dancing with the Stars, breaking a barrier between two worlds of elite sport.
Facts Included:
Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars features Olympic gold medalist Amber Glenn and Paralympic gold medalist Ezra Frech.
This marks a historic first as both champions compete side by side on television.
Glenn is a figure skater, Frech is a track and field star.
Glenn is paired with professional dancer Pasha Pashkov and Frech is partnered with Daniella Karagach.
The new season begins with a two-night premiere on September 15 and 16.
Glenn is 26 years old, from Texas, and won Olympic gold with Team USA in the figure skating team event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games.
Glenn finished fifth in the individual women's competition.
Glenn has won three consecutive national titles.
Glenn is scheduled for the 2026-27 Grand Prix season, with assignments at Skate America and the NHK Trophy in Japan in November.
Frech is 21 years old, from Los Angeles, and won two gold medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in the T63 100-meter and high jump.
Frech is a world-record holder and co-founder of Angel City Sports.
Frech was born with congenital limb differences.
Previous Paralympians on the show include Danelle Umstead (2018) and Victoria Arlen (2017).
Previous figure skaters who won include Kristi Yamaguchi (2008), Meryl Davis (2014), and Adam Rippon (2018).
The show premieres at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with episodes streaming the following day on Hulu.
Framing: Announces a 'major first' for the show, highlighting the historic pairing of an Olympic and Paralympic gold medalist in the same season. — Celebratory and admiring
Facts Included:
Amber Glenn and Ezra Frech will make 'Dancing With the Stars' history when they enter the ballroom for season 35.
Glenn is the reigning Olympic team figure skating gold medalist and Frech is a two-time Paralympic track and field gold medalist.
Their appearances will mark the first time in the show's history that an Olympic gold medalist and Paralympic gold medalist have competed during the same season.
Glenn could become only the fourth figure skater to win the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
Frech becomes the first Paralympian to compete on the show since 2018.
Frech won two gold medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in the T63 100 meters and high jump.
Frech is bidding to compete at the 2028 Paralympic Games in his hometown of Los Angeles.
Frech is the first Paralympian on the show since Alpine skier Danelle Umstead in season 27 in 2018.
Frech is the second Summer Paralympian and Paralympic gold medalist to compete, after Paralympic swimmer Victoria Arlen in season 25 in 2017.
Para snowboarder Amy Purdy competed in season 18 in 2014, finishing as runner-up with Derek Hough.
Glenn, 26, has won the last three U.S. figure skating championships.
Glenn made her Olympic debut at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, winning gold in the team event and finishing fifth individually.
Glenn is still an active elite-level competitor, unlike the 10 figure skaters who previously competed.
In April, Glenn said she planned to continue 'as long as my body keeps going and is healthy.'
The International Skating Union announced in June that Glenn is assigned to compete at Saatva Skate America and the NHK Trophy in Japan during the 2026 Grand Prix season.
Kristi Yamaguchi won in 2008, Meryl Davis in 2014, and Adam Rippon in 2018.
The most recent figure skater to compete was Johnny Weir in season 29 in 2020.
At least one Olympian has competed during most seasons since the show's 2005 debut.
Olympic winners include Apolo Ohno (season 4), Yamaguchi (season 6), Shawn Johnson (season 8), Davis (season 18), Laurie Hernandez (season 23), and Rippon (season 26).
Recent Olympic competitors include Suni Lee (season 30), Ilona Maher and Stephen Nedoroscik (season 33), and Jordan Chiles (season 34).
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimSeason 35 of Dancing with the Stars features Olympic gold medalist Amber Glenn and Paralympic gold medalist Ezra Frech.
ClaimThis marks the first time in Dancing with the Stars history that an Olympic gold medalist and a Paralympic gold medalist have competed during the same season.
ClaimAmber Glenn is 26 years old and from Texas, and she won Olympic gold with Team USA in the figure skating team event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games.
ClaimEzra Frech is the second Summer Paralympian and Paralympic gold medalist to compete on Dancing with the Stars, after Victoria Arlen in season 25 in 2017.
ClaimThe International Skating Union announced in June that Glenn is assigned to compete at Saatva Skate America and the NHK Trophy in Japan during the 2026 Grand Prix season.
ClaimOlympic winners on Dancing with the Stars include Apolo Ohno (season 4), Kristi Yamaguchi (season 6), Shawn Johnson (season 8), Meryl Davis (season 18), Laurie Hernandez (season 23), and Adam Rippon (season 26).
ClaimRecent Olympic competitors on Dancing with the Stars include Suni Lee (season 30), Ilona Maher and Stephen Nedoroscik (season 33), and Jordan Chiles (season 34).