HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE
For figure skaters, song selection is
more than just finding a catchy tune—
it’s vital in the quest for Olympic glory.
Consider this: If you were competing
on THE SPORT’S BIGGEST STAGE, how
would you want the world to see you?
THE SPEAKERS at The Skating Club
of Boston blasted Lady Gaga’s “911”
and “Rain on Me” last August as
Mariah Bell (above) glided across the
ice during a dynamic short program
for the Cranberry Cup International,
choreographed by Cordero Zuckerman
(aka drag queen Denali Foxx) and
Adam Rippon (the 2018 Olympic
bronze medalist in figure skating’s
team event). It wasn’t the first time Bell had used up-
beat, dance-pop songs in competition—her programs
in previous years were backed by Britney Spears, ABBA
and P!nk—but as the Beijing Games neared, the ’22 U.S.
national champion knew she needed to make a switch.
“It was so fun, but ultimately it’s just not in my wheel-
house,” says Bell, 25, from Tulsa. “This is an Olympic
year, so everybody is trying to play to their strengths,BY TESS DMEYER
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