2026 Winter Olympics: The Impact of 1990s Music on Ice Dance Choreography

During the rhythm dance competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, the atmosphere was electrified by the music choices of the competitors. Sofiia Dovhal and Wiktor Kulesza, representing Poland, captivated the audience with their performance set to "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)." This set the tone for a series of performances featuring iconic 1990s tracks, including Madonna's "Vogue," RuPaul's "Supermodel (You Better Work)," and the Spice Girls' "Wannabe." The International Skating Union (ISU) had announced the 1990s as the theme for the 2025-26 rhythm dance season, prompting mixed reactions from fans and participants alike.

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The preparation for these performances began months in advance. Paul Poirier, a reigning world silver medalist, noted that he and his partner, Piper Gilles, started brainstorming music ideas as soon as the theme was revealed. Their program, which includes "Supermodel (You Better Work)" and an interlude featuring Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy," reflects their desire to combine nostalgia with creativity. Poirier emphasized the importance of character development and storytelling in their choreography, which is also highlighted in the Netflix docuseries "Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing."

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While many teams opt to incorporate multiple songs into their routines, this can complicate the creative process. Gilles expressed uncertainty about whether audiences would fully grasp their unique artistic choices. The duo has faced inconsistent scoring from judges, prompting them to adapt their programs continually. Similarly, two-time Olympic medalists Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani faced challenges when their original rhythm dance, themed "A 90s Night in Tokyo," was poorly received due to the judges' unfamiliarity with hip hop music. They ultimately pivoted to a new program in just six weeks.

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The selection of music can also be hindered by legal issues. Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, a French team, had to abandon their initial choice of Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus" due to its release date, which did not meet ISU eligibility criteria. They successfully transitioned to Madonna's "Vogue," which has since contributed to their competitive success.

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As the individual ice dance competition unfolds, the 1990s theme has garnered significant attention, even from artists like the Spice Girls and The Offspring, who have publicly supported the performances featuring their music. Madison Chock and Evan Bates, favorites in the competition, aim to embody the unique style of Lenny Kravitz in their routine. The nostalgic theme has not only energized the competitors but also engaged a wider audience, making the ice dance events more accessible and enjoyable for fans.

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• “We are '90 babies and yeah, it's music that we grew up with. So to be able to kind of put that on an Olympic stage, it just feels nostalgic and it will be super fun. But we have some ideas up our sleeves.” — Piper Gilles, Ice Dancer

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• “Not all of the judges that we spoke to or who spoke to us were familiar with hip hop or Wu-Tang Clan or A Tribe Called West, which is unfortunate,” — Alex Shibutani, Ice Dancer

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• “It makes it way more fun during practice just to be able to sing along [to everyone else's music] and get out of your head at the same time.” — Lewis Gibson, Ice Dancer

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The 2026 Winter Olympics ice dance competition showcases a vibrant blend of nostalgia and creativity, as skaters navigate the challenges of music selection and choreography while engaging audiences with the beloved sounds of the 1990s.

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