Madonna sends good luck message to American figure skater Amber Glenn before Olympic short program

MILAN (AP) — It wasn’t exactly a prayer that Madonna answered for American figure skater Amber Glenn.

More like a wish and a dream.

Just before Glenn performed her short program at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Tuesday night, which is set to Madonna's song “Like a Prayer,” she received a video from the “Queen of Pop” wishing her luck in the individual competition at the Winter Games.

Turns out that Madonna had seen a clip of Glenn performing to her song.

“I have to tell you, I was blown away by it,” Madonna tells Glenn in the video. “You are an incredible skater. So strong, so beautiful, so brave. I can't imagine that you would not win. So I just want to say good luck. Go get that gold.”

Glenn covered up her mouth in surprise while watching.

“I'm in shock. I'm in complete shock,” she said. “I'm legitimately shaking. Oh my God.”

If the call from Madonna was a dream, the program later Tuesday night was a nightmare.

Glenn got off to a great start with a big triple axel and a solid combination pass, but she doubled up a triple loop near the end of the program, and that meant an invalid element and no points. The mistake was so costly that Glenn was left in 13th place going into the free skate on Thursday night, well out of contention for that gold medal.

Madonna wasn't the only big-name celebrity tossing her support behind Glenn and teammates Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito, who had dubbed themselves the “Blade Angels.” Pop superstar Taylor Swift provided the voice-over for an NBC spot highlighting them.

Liu had a much better short program and sat third behind Japan's Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto. Levito was in eighth.

The issue of music rights became a big storyline for figure skaters during the Milan Cortina Games. Several had to frantically try to get approval for their program music at the last minute, and some were even forced to change their programs entirely.

Glenn was among those who had a problem.

Her free skate is set to “The Return” by Seb McKinnon, who produces music under the name CLANN. He posted on social media that he was surprised to hear the song during Glenn's performance in the team competition, which helped the U.S. win the gold medal.

McKinnon said that Glenn did not have the proper permission to use the song, even though it has been a part of her program for the last two years. But the two spoke on the phone a couple of days later and managed to smooth everything out.

“I’m very honored that Amber chose my music for her routine, won gold no less!” McKinnon said. “I’m happy things were resolved amicably and that we both stand for the protection of artist rights.”

The outspoken Glenn had been asked about music rights on the eve of the Olympics. She said at the time, “If I do get a message from Madonna saying she doesn't want me to skate to her music, I'll just be excited to get a message from Madonna.”

Glenn ended up getting the best of both worlds.

“You are an icon and a legend forever,” Glenn said in response to Madonna's video, “and thank you for supporting athletes in their artistic ventures, and I hope I can do the song justice. Thank you.”

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

Amber Glenn of the United States competes during the women's short program figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Amber Glenn of the United States competes during the women's short program figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Amber Glenn of the United States competes during the women's short program figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Amber Glenn of the United States competes during the women's short program figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Amber Glenn of the United States competes during the women's short program figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

American forward Folarin Balogun took less than one minute to give Monaco the lead against Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League playoff on Tuesday, and added a second goal less than midway through the first half.

He still ended up on the losing side as defending champion PSG rallied from 2-0 down to take a 3-2 lead back to Paris for the second leg next Wednesday. The winner advances to the last 16.

There was only 55 seconds on the clock at Stade Louis II when Balogun headed in a precise cross from the left by Aleksandr Golovin.

Balogun scored again to make it 2-0 in the 18th when PSG lost the ball and Maghnes Akliouche threaded a fine pass behind the defense for Balogun to fire confidently past hesitant goalkeeper Matvei Safonov.

"It was a positive start. If someone had said we’d be 2-0 up within 20 minutes, we’d have taken it," Balogun said. “But it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. We’re a bit annoyed, but we’re alive and we have to focus on the second leg.”

It was a club-leading 10th goal of the season for the 24-year-old player who briefly broke into the Arsenal team six years ago before being sold to Monaco.

He almost had a chance for a hat trick late in the first half. But after running the forward line on his own he looked tired when he was replaced by Mika Biereth in the 83rd minute.

PSG was under some pressure heading into the game after a sixth defeat of the season on Friday led to an outburst by star striker Ousmane Dembélé questioning the attitude of his teammates.

Dembélé came off midway through the first half with what appeared to be a left calf injury.

PSG beat Brest 10-0 on aggregate in the playoffs last season.

Although PSG is heavy favorite to advance, Balogun remains confident of an upset.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Monaco's Folarin Balogun scores his side's second goal during the first-leg of the Champions League playoff soccer match between Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain in Monaco, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)

Monaco's Folarin Balogun, second right, scores the opening goal during the first-leg of the Champions League playoff soccer match between Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain in Monaco, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)

Monaco's Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the first-leg of the Champions League playoff soccer match between Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain in Monaco, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)