Image Credit: Getty Images
Amber Glenn has become a leading presence in U.S. women’s figure skating as the 2026 Winter Olympics approach. She recently etched her name in history at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships with a benchmark-setting short program, contributing to her triumph in securing a third consecutive national championship.
Following the competition on January 7, 2026, the 26-year-old expressed, “I understood that I was there to execute my performance, and I was pleased to observe that the scores were elevated, the scores were favorable, and I was able to maintain that upward trajectory. I was driven to continually improve and excel.”
As we anticipate seeing Amber compete in the 2026 Olympics, discover additional insights about the formidable American skater and her ascent in the sport below.
She Hails From Texas
Glenn was born on October 28, 1999, in Plano, Texas, and took her first steps on the ice at age five at an arena close to her hometown.
She Is a Premier U.S. Figure Skating Hopeful
Glenn has cemented her status as a top contender in U.S. women’s figure skating in advance of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Her recent showings, including clinching a third straight U.S. national title, have established her as a prominent frontrunner to secure an Olympic spot and compete for medals.
Glenn made history with the three-peat, emerging as the first U.S. female to achieve this since Michelle Kwan.
Amber Glenn Is Publicly Queer
Glenn is openly queer and has openly shared her identity, including identifying as pansexual. In 2019, she openly discussed her sexuality in an interview with the Dallas Voice, a moment that garnered significant recognition within the skating world and beyond.
“I wasn’t anticipating the extent to which it would explode,” Glenn expressed at the time. “However, I’m thankful because they amplified my message. I could represent numerous individuals within skating, particularly queer women.”
She Has Spoken Candidly About Navigating Life With ADHD
Glenn has openly discussed her encounters with ADHD as part of her broader mental health journey. She has articulated how managing ADHD, alongside anxiety and depression, has presented a notable hurdle in her career, even leading to a temporary departure from the sport during her teenage years.
Glenn has engaged with therapists and sports psychologists, employing strategies such as talk therapy and neurotherapy to aid in stabilizing her concentration and mental well-being, according to ESPN.
Family Has Been a Cornerstone in Amber Glenn’s Career
Familial support has been fundamental to Glenn’s trajectory in figure skating from the very beginning. Her parents, Richard and Cathlene Glenn, made considerable sacrifices to help provide funds for her initial training and competitive endeavors, including financial constraints typical in the sport. Glenn has attributed her family’s encouragement to facilitating her triumph at the highest echelon. She also has a younger sister named Brooke, who has been an integral part of her support system throughout her skating journey.
“There were numerous sacrifices made during my upbringing by my parents, and even my sister,” Glenn shared with PEOPLE in 2024. “I would contend that my family has been absolutely indispensable to me, and their sacrifices are something I will never be able to fully reciprocate, but they are incredibly supportive and proud of me.”
Glenn has also spoken emotionally about the impact of her deceased grandmother, Barbara Glenn. Following a record-setting performance at the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, she conveyed that her grandmother—who passed away in 2025 and had consistently supported her at competitions—was present with her on the ice, assisting in alleviating her nervousness as she established a new short-program benchmark.