2025-26 U.S. Ice Dance News, Updates & Discussion - Backstreet Boys & Spice Girls

[kirkbiggestfan]

At least, Evan doesn't have castanets.

 

[Marta24]

I feel like there is too much going on with her costume and not enough with his. Love the long skirt, though.

 

[Cayuse]

I feel like there is too much going on with her costume and not enough with his. Love the long skirt, though.

He's just the bull. She's everything else: the matador, the cape, the sword, the star of the arena! He'll probably just snort, toss her in the air a few times and then die on the ice. Just kidding. I think the concept and the music is fabulous for them. I'm so looking forward to this drama! They WILL give the French some great competition!

 

[Rhumba d’Amour]

So—a costume in questionable taste, a cheesy Gee Whiz concept (“she’s the matador, he’s the bull”) plus Paint it Black as a flamenco (so quintessentially IAM); could we have a truly entertaining hot mess on our hands?

 

[Karen-W]

I can't quite pinpoint where I think Madison's costume is going wrong. I think the biggest issue is the size of the silver accent pieces. She's a petite woman and they just overwhelm her frame completely. Going with smaller silver pieces would improve the costume tremendously.

I also think the nude illusion fabric on the front doesn't work - I'd consider switching it to black sheer - the open back doesn't bother me as much. And the other thing I'd change is the placement of the silver accent pieces on the front waist - instead of coming up in the inverted V, they should just go straight across the front above the black lace like a normal belt.

I can get past the tights half over the boots - though I'd suggest maybe just having them go completely over her skating boots.

As it is, I expect we'll see a new costume either at Nationals or the Olympics.

 

[marbri]

I agree with others there is something off with her costume, maybe in motion it works better. But I am intrigued to see what they do with this concept. Am already imagining some crazy lifts and/or assisted jumps where the bull is tossing her about. Lifts are definitely one of their strengths so this could be fun.

 

[Aceon6]

I can't quite pinpoint where I think Madison's costume is going wrong.

All I see on top is geriatric boobs or a neck pillow long past its useful life. That, and the illusion not working.

MAXINE! The top reminds me of the Sassy Old Lady Shoebox greeting card.

 

[skipaway]

Am already imagining some crazy lifts and/or assisted jumps where the bull is tossing her about. Lifts are definitely one of their strengths so this could be fun.

Maybe she’ll be gored at the end of the program instead of the bull getting stabbed.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Maybe she’ll be gored at the end of the program instead of the bull getting stabbed.

I’m really hoping the music is Madonna “take a Bow”

Tee-hee

For those that don’t remember

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[Jarrett]

I'm going to reserve judgement until we see it on competition ice from a distance judges would actually be seeing, not up close zoomed in photos. A lot of dresses you can't even see any of the detail from the judges perspective.

 

[Tinycities]

It looks like a lace diaper. Back to the drawing board for this one.

Someone on Reddit called it a lace merkin which I guarantee is not what Madi was going for.

 

[her grace]

I’m looking forward to seeing Chock play the human character while Bates is the creature. Nice change of pace for them.

 

[gkelly]

I’m looking forward to seeing Chock play the human character while Bates is the creature. Nice change of pace for them.

Or for ice dance in general. Agree!

At least, Evan doesn't have castanets.

There could always be air castanets.

 

[Tesla]

There could always be air castanets.

Didn't Virtue and Moir have air castanets?

 

[Wyliefan]

In this case, if the bull has castanets, it may look a bit silly.

 

[Karen-W]

In this case, if the bull has castanets, it may look a bit silly.

I swear, if Evan begins sporting a large nose ring...

 

[marbri]

I swear, if Evan begins sporting a large nose ring...

It would help distract us from her costume..

 

[Allskate]

And here is a look at the rhythm dance costumes for Chock and Bates:

Golden Skate on Instagram: "First look at the Madison Chock and Evan Bates RD costumes 👀 #GPFigure #FigureSkating #2025GPCHN"

44 likes, 0 comments - goldsk8 on October 23, 2025: "First look at the Madison Chock and Evan Bates RD costumes 👀 #GPFigure #FigureSkating #2025GPCHN".

www.instagram.com

 

[Moto Guzzi]

All I see on top is geriatric boobs or a neck pillow long past its useful life. That, and the illusion not working.

MAXINE! The top reminds me of the Sassy Old Lady Shoebox greeting card.

The top reminds me of the fake black mink stole I bought at St. Vincent's for $.50 for a Halloween costume.

I usually like Madi's costumes but this one looks strange. The black lace at the crotch made me think of the "foaming vagina" comment from one of the judges on Project Runway. Maybe it looks better in motion.

 

[her grace]

Impressive skate from Z/K today, very free and looked like they genuinely enjoyed it. If they can keep it up in FD, they’re on their way to first medal on the Grand Prix.

 

[PRlady]

Impressive skate from Z/K today, very free and looked like they genuinely enjoyed it. If they can keep it up in FD, they’re on their way to first medal on the Grand Prix.

Which is what they need for BOW, plus beating GrePar head to head.

I’m a lot less worried about the Shibs taking the third spot than I was a month ago.

 

[Karen-W]

Which is what they need for BOW, plus beating GrePar head to head.

I’m a lot less worried about the Shibs taking the third spot than I was a month ago.

Well, to be fair, GreenP beat themselves.

And, let's not count any chickens. I still need to see Christina's US passport in hand pronto.

 

[~tapdancer~]

I do not want to see the Shibs come back. At all. US Ice Dance has been on the upswing for a while now and we don't need teams coming back to mess things up. Not that I think they will. They are old news and for that matter, so are C/B. I think C/B are very nice people and I think they need to get on with life. Why not go out on top? Like the Italian team of G/F...why would they invite that humiliation? I miss the old days of skaters retiring after achieving their goals. Course that was when you didn't get paid as an amateur and show skating in the 90s was the hot ticket. How things have changed.

 

[tony]

I do not want to see the Shibs come back. At all. US Ice Dance has been on the upswing for a while now and we don't need teams coming back to mess things up. Not that I think they will. They are old news and for that matter, so are C/B. I think C/B are very nice people and I think they need to get on with life. Why not go out on top? Like the Italian team of G/F...why would they invite that humiliation? I miss the old days of skaters retiring after achieving their goals. Course that was when you didn't get paid as an amateur and show skating in the 90s was the hot ticket. How things have changed.

Because up until FB/C announcing their comeback/partnership, it was looking like a very clear path to the gold medal at the Olympics after dominating this quadrennial. It would be odd otherwise to 'go out on top' before the Olympics, when that's the biggest goal for most top skaters.

 

[BittyBug]

I miss the old days of skaters retiring after achieving their goals.

Maybe the teams that you mentioned have a goal of an Olympic medal.

 

[Rukia]

"get on with life" skating is their life currently so they are getting on with it

 

[Allskate]

I agree with others there is something off with her costume, maybe in motion it works better.

I do not think it works better in motion. I think it is a major distraction and an accident waiting to happen. And it covers her legs so much of the time, so you can't see what she is doing with them. I don't know who thought this was a good idea for a competitive program.

 

[marbri]

I do not think it works better in motion. I think it is a major distraction and an accident waiting to happen. And it covers her legs so much of the time, so you can't see what she is doing with them. I don't know who thought this was a good idea for a competitive program.

Coming here to say having seen it in motion it's a no for me. She isn't wearing the costume, the costume is wearing her.

 

[layman]

What happened with Green/Parsons? They withdrew before the Free Dance. Is Michael ok?

 

[VGThuy]

I do not want to see the Shibs come back. At all. US Ice Dance has been on the upswing for a while now and we don't need teams coming back to mess things up. Not that I think they will. They are old news and for that matter, so are C/B. I think C/B are very nice people and I think they need to get on with life. Why not go out on top? Like the Italian team of G/F...why would they invite that humiliation? I miss the old days of skaters retiring after achieving their goals. Course that was when you didn't get paid as an amateur and show skating in the 90s was the hot ticket. How things have changed.

“I want these old people out of the way so my preferred teams can win!”