Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson keep achieving new heights year after year.
Since 2022, they’ve placed fourth in back-to-back Grand Prix Finals, second in back-to-back Europeans, and fourth at the World Championships – also in back-to-back years. Last season they achieved their highest score of this Olympic cycle at NHK Trophy which was their first Grand Prix win – and a first for Great Britain.
The team have gone from strength to strength again to start their 2024-25 season, winning both of their Challenger Series assignments and both of their Grand Prix assignments becoming the only ice dance team to qualify for the Final with two gold medals this season.
For the rhythm dance this season, the theme is ‘Social Dances and Styles of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s’ – the last of which is the decade the team are most familiar with, thanks to two previous programs – their 2018-19 free dance and 2021-22 rhythm dance – also coming from that era. “We knew we wanted to go into the 70s realm because we both loved that genre, but we also wanted to grow from the past disco programs that we’ve done. We thought, okay, that’s an option, but we want to keep doing something new because that’s what we love, and to explore a new style of dancing,” Fear said.
The final product is a program consisting of Le Freak by Chic and Superstition by Stevie Wonder. “Superstition is such a groovy song and feels so great to skate to, and then Le Freak was a really good lighter side to spice it up at the beginning and end.”
Gibson added “We’re learning a new dance style as well, on top of still having that little disco essence because, of course, they’re in the same era. With this music, it’s in there too with the Le Chic part.”
Their debut costume, with Fear in purple and Gibson in black, was their second costume change at the time. “We already had another dress, but a different cut, so I was getting strangled by my own dress. We pivoted, and it’s inspired by Pinterest, and I love Cher full stop. I think her fashion in the 70s was iconic and so chic, and obviously our music says chic, so that was necessary,” Fear said. Gibson’s trousers didn’t show up too much in competition but he described them as going silver in the light.
By their next competition just weeks later, the team had changed into a different side of the 70s. “We are so thrilled with our RD costumes, which really encapsulate the essence of funk. We went for a fun, unique pattern on Lewis’ suit paired with the sleek, slinky vibe of Lilah’s dress, just like they wore to go dancing in the 70s funk era.”
For their free dance they skate to a medley of Halo, End of Time, and Crazy in Love by Beyoncé. “So we basically just chose a piece of music that we both love, not even thinking about skating, and we both came up with Halo on our own because that coincided,” Fear explained.
The other two pieces “Came from the percussion of Halo, [from] the strong drums.” Gibson described, “As much as it feels like a lyrical piece, there’s still strength to it. So with our progression of the program, it could only get stronger. And so we both loved End of Time, and actually a little fun fact, we wanted to use it three years ago, so it felt cool to go back to it. And of course, the last [song] is that plus more.”
“It’s like a huge celebration,” Fear continued. “[It’s] just like, unapologetic, strutting your stuff and it’s such a great base for crowd involvement and we want to just encourage everyone to scream as loud as possible, because we have applause in the background of the track. So if anyone wants to cheer in real life, we’re here for that too!”
As always, a lot of thought has gone into the message of the program. The duo said “You know when music just sparks something within you? For us, we’re like oh God it feels so good to skate to that and to express that message of like owning your inner light and letting you are just shine out with full freedom and abandon and being real, and that’s something that we were really craving this year, so that’s the foundation of this program. To project that self confidence and self love that everyone aspires to get to and with our progression of the program too, we hope that that shows as well. Musically it’s fun because there’s a lot of percussion from beginning to end but the essence changes each time, which is exciting for us.”
For this costume, Fear beamed “This is the first costume I’ve designed myself! I’m really proud of it because it was a challenge, because obviously Halo is lyrical and then we’re like twerking in the middle of the choreo step. So I can’t do that in a lyrical dress, and then I can’t skate to Halo in a bodysuit like Beyoncé would wear at a concert, so I tried to blend the two and have this sense of continuity with the satin and it becomes the skirt.”
This week the team will be vying for their seventh British National title. The achievement will match the records of both Sinead Kerr / John Kerr (2004 – 2010) and Jayne Torvill / Christopher Dean (1979 – 1984, 1994).
Whilst they were at the August Qualifiers event, a number of skaters ranging from novice solo dancers to junior partnered ice dancers were excited to include Fear & Gibson in their photos from the event, a clear indication of the impact they’re making in the sport. Fellow National Team member Luke Digby also mentioned at Skate America how the ice dancers are an inspiration and said “They lead the way for British figure skating.”
The duo take every opportunity to talk with and encourage younger skaters. Fear said, “It’s such a passion and purpose for both of us, and we just know that having someone believe in you and encouragement for people that have done it already, it means the world to us. We were so bad when we showed up at Montreal, those older skaters encouraged us and they saw our potential before we did and just hearing that, it can change someone’s entire day and belief in themself, and because we felt that impact, it’s the least we can do and something we really seek out at every chance we get.”
Gibson added, “It’s also tough. This is a small skating country and community, we both grew up in it and know how almost cutthroat it feels a bit, and to have people share joy with other skaters is a big thing for us to do and as Lilah says, encourage them. Like it’s really hard but it is possible if you love it so much and you’re so determined, keep sticking to it and you will get something out of it no matter what.”
Fear’s final words for skaters: “Don’t judge where you’re at right now, look back at your progress and look forward to your potential and just keep crushing it.”
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