US Figure Skater Amber Glenn Resolves Copyright Issue with Canadian Artist

Glenn performed Canadian artist Seb McKinnon's song 'The Return' without permission, but the issue was quickly resolved.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn says she has resolved copyright concerns with Canadian artist Seb McKinnon over her use of his song 'The Return' in her free skate routine at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. McKinnon had initially expressed surprise on social media that his song was used without permission, but the two were able to clear up the issue, and McKinnon congratulated Glenn on her Olympic medal performance.

Why it matters

The issue of music copyright is a growing concern in figure skating, as skaters increasingly use more modern, copyrighted music in their routines. This case highlights the complexities around obtaining proper permissions, as well as the need for better coordination between skaters, music artists, and the International Skating Union to ensure artists are properly credited and compensated.

The details

Glenn has been performing to 'The Return' for the past two years without any issues, but the copyright concerns arose when the song was used in her free skate at the Olympics. McKinnon, who produces music under the name CLANN, took to social media to express his surprise. However, the two were able to quickly resolve the issue, and McKinnon congratulated Glenn on her Olympic medal performance.

  • Glenn performed her free skate routine using 'The Return' on Sunday, February 9, 2026.
  • McKinnon posted about the unauthorized use of his song on social media shortly after Glenn's performance.

The players

Amber Glenn

A U.S. figure skater who won a gold medal as part of the U.S. team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Seb McKinnon

A Canadian artist who produces music under the name CLANN, and whose song 'The Return' was used by Amber Glenn in her Olympic free skate routine without permission.

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What they’re saying

“The issue of music rights can be complex and confusing. Seems like there was a hiccup in that whole process. I'm glad we cleared things up with Seb and I look forward to collaborating with him.”

— Amber Glenn (kslnewsradio.com)

“It was a dream come true to perform at the Olympic Games and to have Seb acknowledge my performance and congratulate me afterward made the moment even more special. It's my sincere hope that I was able to help create new fans of both figure skating and Seb. We will move forward and continue supporting both artists and the skating community.”

— Amber Glenn (kslnewsradio.com)

“I love it when music inspires people. We can all agree creators deserve clear consent, proper credit and fair compensation when their work is used. It doesn't matter if you're the most famous artist in the world or a complete unknown. It's for all.”

— Seb McKinnon (kslnewsradio.com)

What’s next

Glenn plans to head to a training camp outside of Milan to prepare for the women's individual competition, which begins with the short program on February 17, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges around music copyright in figure skating, as skaters seek to personalize their routines with more modern music. It underscores the need for better coordination between skaters, music artists, and governing bodies like the ISU to ensure proper permissions and credit are obtained, while also fostering collaboration and mutual support between the skating and music communities.