In Milan, Olympic figure skaters are confronting an unusual hurdle - the possibility that the music underpinning their carefully choreographed routines might be suddenly withdrawn. This year, a particular challenge has emerged around the music associated with the popular Minions franchise, stirring concern among competitors including U.S. national champion Amber Glenn.
Glenn described the situation as "this Minions saga," highlighting the real fear athletes face about having their music rights revoked at the last moment. Securing permission to use specific tracks is no simple task as the rights often involve numerous parties ranging from artists to production companies. Despite skaters’ concerted efforts to clear all legal uses, there remains a constant risk that a producer or rights holder could unexpectedly deny permission.
"We’ve done everything possible on our end to clear the music," Glenn said. "But in the end, a producer might just say no at the eleventh hour. It’s a very taxing ordeal for many athletes." She expressed that while she sees the paths she’s taken as legitimate and cleared, she is still "hoping and praying" against receiving an objection email.
The complexity is exemplified by Spanish skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate, whose short program is a blend of four different Minions-themed songs. Three of these have received clearance, but he continues to negotiate rights with Pharrell Williams for the fourth track, underscoring the fragmented nature of obtaining full music permissions in competitive figure skating.
For other skaters, the process is streamlined somewhat by delegating permissions to their management teams. Conversely, American men's gold medal favorite Ilia Malinin opts for direct engagement with artists to secure unique music selections. Malinin credits this approach for most of his success in obtaining rights, citing encouragement and support from artists this season.
Glenn’s Olympic short program features Madonna’s iconic "Like A Prayer," and she lightheartedly noted that even if Madonna herself objected, she would be excited to hear from such a prominent figure. Nonetheless, the underlying tension remains palpable as athletes strive to deliver performances that depend heavily on music rights approvals.
This recurring challenge emphasizes the vulnerability of figure skaters to rights holders in an industry where ownership can be dispersed and holding parties may change their decisions unexpectedly. Such uncertainties can impact training focus and mental preparedness ahead of the Olympic stage.