Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov managed to turn a painful rehearsal accident into one of their strongest performances on Dancing With the Stars.
During rehearsals for Season 35’s “Yacht Rock Night,” Glenn accidentally struck Pashkov in the face while the pair were practicing their foxtrot. The impact left the professional dancer with a bloody nose and briefly required medical attention.
Despite the scare, the pair returned to the ballroom and performed their routine to Toto’s “Hold the Line.” Their performance earned three 8s from the judges for a total of 24 out of 30.
Amber Glenn Accidentally Injures Pasha Pashkov During Rehearsal
The accident happened while Glenn and Pashkov were working on choreography for their foxtrot.
Glenn accidentally hit Pashkov in the face with her elbow during a move. Rehearsal footage showed the professional dancer bleeding from his nose as Glenn immediately became concerned about what had happened.
According to E! News, Pashkov later said the injury looked worse than it actually was. He also explained that he was more concerned about Glenn’s reaction because she was visibly upset about hurting her partner.
The incident was especially emotional for Glenn. The Olympic figure skater said she had never been responsible for causing someone physical pain before and struggled with the idea of accidentally injuring her dance partner.
Pasha Pashkov Did Not Want to Change Their Routine
Even after the injury, Pashkov was not interested in removing the move that caused the accident.
The professional dancer explained that unexpected injuries can happen in ballroom dancing, particularly when two people are working closely together on complicated choreography.
That was also a new adjustment for Glenn. Her competitive background is in solo figure skating, where she generally controls her own movements rather than having to coordinate every movement with a dance partner.
The difference between the two sports became an important part of Glenn and Pashkov’s rehearsal experience.
Amber Glenn Took Extra Precautions After the Accident
Glenn remained determined to make sure the accident did not happen again.
After the injury, she reportedly looked back at rehearsal footage to understand what went wrong. She also obtained elbow pads as an additional precaution.
The experience highlighted one of the biggest challenges Glenn faces while moving from elite figure skating to ballroom dancing: learning how to manage close-contact choreography with another performer.
The transition has otherwise given Glenn an opportunity to use skills developed during her skating career. U.S. Figure Skating noted before the season that Glenn naturally connected with the flow of dances such as the waltz and foxtrot because of their similarities to movement on the ice.
Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov Earned a 24 on Yacht Rock Night
The injury did not appear to slow the pair down when they finally took the ballroom floor.
Glenn and Pashkov performed their foxtrot to Toto’s “Hold the Line” during the September 29 episode.
The routine earned an 8 from each of the three judges: Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli. Their combined score was 24 out of 30, giving them one of the highest scores of the night and their highest score of the season at that point.
The result was particularly notable because the performance came shortly after an unsettling rehearsal.
Amber Glenn’s DWTS Journey Continues
Glenn entered Dancing With the Stars after an extraordinary 2026 figure skating season.
She helped Team USA win Olympic gold in the figure skating team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics. ABC also identifies her as a three-time U.S. national champion and notes that she became the first U.S. woman to land three triple Axels at a single Olympic Games.
For Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars, Glenn was paired with Pashkov, who is an experienced professional on the series. ABC confirmed the partnership when the Season 35 cast was announced.
Their ballroom partnership has therefore become an unusual crossover between elite figure skating and professional dance.
A Scary Rehearsal, Followed by a Strong Performance
The rehearsal injury added an unexpected emotional moment to Glenn’s DWTS journey.
However, the pair did not let the incident derail their performance. Instead, Glenn returned to the ballroom and delivered a routine that earned strong marks from all three judges.
With the competition continuing, Glenn and Pashkov remain among the Season 35 couples competing for the Mirrorball Trophy.