Last year, I had the opportunity to attend Stars on Ice 2025: Rock Stars on Ice, and I’m thrilled to be back to cover the 2026 tour. After the Winter Olympics, audiences are even more energized than last year. The UBS Arena was essentially sold out. The crowd was excited from the moment the lights went down. This year, the show feels less like a typical skating tour and more like a full celebration of Team USA.
ACT I
The opening group number, set to “Brink of Annihilation/Fearless” by Tommee Profitt, establishes the tone right away. Skaters in dark costumes streak across the ice at full speed, performing difficult moves before striking a final pose in a circle facing the audience. It grabs everyone’s attention immediately and prepares the entire arena for what’s to come.
Andrew Torgashev kicks off the individual performances with a skate to “Out of Time” by Bradley Cooper. Next, Isabeau Levito performs “Material Girl” by Madonna, a refreshing change from her usual classical competition style. Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko then perform an upbeat and intense ice dance to “Say It Right/Maneater” by Nelly Furtado, maintaining the strong momentum.
It’s still deeply emotional to watch Alysa Liu‘s performance of “Promise” by Laufey. It was the first short program she performed after coming out of retirement, and seeing it in-person still carries so much weight. It seamlessly transitions into the most powerful moment of the show, the “American Gold” segment. Teammates introduce the Olympic gold medalists with playful and heartfelt interactions. They hand them their Team USA jackets, mimic their signature poses, and celebrate together. The segment is both entertaining and deeply moving. Seeing the costumes and Olympic-level performances up close and hearing the crowd chant “USA! USA!” is amazing and makes me feel like I’m at the medal ceremony.
The moment I had been waiting for finally arrived. Madison Chock and Evan Bates skated to “Paint It Black.” I was excited to see this program again. The flamenco choreography was stunning, and the dramatic clapping sequence sent electricity through the entire arena. Madison’s black dress that faded to red was simply breathtaking. Seeing them live is an entirely different experience from watching on screen, and each performance feels like it could be the last, making it all the more precious.
Jason Brown skates to “Friend Like Me” by Ne-Yo, dressed as a vintage gentleman straight out of a classic movie. He has a chair, a top hat, and a coat rack. His performance is so colorful and full of personality. He is completely captivating from start to finish. In Amber Glenn‘s “That’s Life” by Lady Gaga, she skates in a sleek black suit. She’s effortlessly cool. The crowd loves every second of it.
Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea bring the fun with “The 305 Experience” by Pitbull. Then, Ilia Malinin closes out the individual Act I performances with his new program, “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” by YUNGBLUD. Malinin skates in a gray beanie and white shirt while carrying a red rose. His performance is lyrical and charming, and the crowd screams from the moment he steps on the ice.
Act I closes with “Too Darn Hot,” and the costumes alone are honestly worth it. They’re pink and feathery, straight out of a vintage Hollywood film. The cast not only has skating skills, but also genuine acting talent. They manage to make a frozen arena feel like a hot summer night.
ACT II
After a short intermission, Act II begins with “I Just Might” by Bruno Mars. Ilia Malinin, Jason Brown, Anthony Ponomarenko, Danny O’Shea, and Andrew Torgashev perform the song while wearing green suits and white shirts. Very stylish! The crowd loved it!
Amber Glenn returns with her short program from this past competitive season, “Like a Prayer” by Madonna. It’s such a pleasure to see it again here. I love the layered jewelry and stacked necklaces woven into her costume. They add a glamorous finishing touch to an already stunning program.
Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea took the ice and performed a heartfelt rendition of “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. Their in-person lifts are truly jaw-dropping. Then Jason Brown returns with “Spiegel im Spiegel” by Arvo Pärt, a total tonal shift into something quiet and deeply artistic. His arm and leg extensions, his spirals, his ability to fill the ice with pure feeling. It’s a masterclass.
Then came the Blade Angels. Isabeau Levito, Amber Glenn, and Alysa Liu took the ice to “Golden” by K-Pop Demon Hunters. Dressed as demon hunters, they had matching hairstyles. Their synchronization was remarkable. My favorite moment was when they glided across the full length of the rink on their Ina Bauers, followed by a group hug. Their friendship and team spirit are genuinely adorable. The segment ends with Jason Brown and Andrew Torgashev playfully trying to scare the Blade Angels, which gets a huge laugh from the whole arena.
Andrew Torgashev then delivers a more serious and moving performance to “This Place Was a Shelter / Good News” by Ólafur Arnalds and Apashe, a wonderful showcase of his range as a skater. Isabeau Levito‘s “Zou Bisou Bisou” by Sophia Loren is pure delight. Her red vintage dress is gorgeous, the music is so playful.
Then there’s Ilia Malinin. Wearing a Stars on Ice beanie, baggy pants, a cutoff white tee, and a zip-up hoodie, he launches into Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” then transitions into “Jump Around” by House of Pain. He runs along the boards, clapping hands with fans in the front row, and then lands four consecutive backflips right on cue with the lyrics. The entire arena loses it completely.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates close their night with “Slide” by James Bay, a beautiful lyrical program that feels like a quiet, tender goodbye to an incredible season.
Alysa Liu‘s rendition of “Stateside” by PinkPantheress featuring Zara Larsson is an absolute blast. Everyone is singing along. Liu’s stunning blue dress with a full, flowy skirt mirrors the PinkPantheress music video aesthetic beautifully, and the stage setup does too.
The show closes with “Life in Color” by OneRepublic. The skaters mingle with fans along the boards and enjoy the moment together. Then, they line up and bow. It’s a well-deserved standing ovation.
There’s one more thing worth mentioning to anyone planning to attend a future show. The experience extends beyond the performance itself. With the Preshow Stargazer Pass, you can watch the skaters warm up on the ice, which is incredible in itself. If you’re lucky enough to get front-row seats, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with the skaters as they glide by and high-five the audience. After the show, there’s a meet-and-greet where you can meet your favorites in person. This makes the whole experience feel personal and special. You’re not just watching a show, you’re part of it!
If you missed it this year, I understand, but don’t let it happen again! This was my fourth Stars on Ice show, and it still blew me away. Once you experience it live, you’ll already be counting down to the next one!
Check out Naomi’s Gallery of the event here!
