Adam Rippon recalls coming out before nailing emotional routine on ‘Dancing with the Stars’
The Olympic star's moving performance got tens (almost) across the board.
By Will Stroude
Fresh off becoming the first openly gay male athlete to win a medal for Team USA at the Winter Olympics in Pyeonchang earlier this year, figure skater Adam Rippon is continuing to change hearts and minds on US reality competition Dancing with the Stars.
The American Strictly spin-off is currently airing a special four-week ‘athletes’ season, and 28-year-old Adam has been regularly stealing the show with professional partner Jenna Johnson.
That was true no more so than on Monday night (May 14), when the pair sailed into next week’s grand final with their most ambitious – and moving – performance yet.
Tasked with dancing a contemporary number to Coldplay’s ‘O’ – the song Adam danced to in his Olympic solo performance – the sports star became visibly emotional as he opened up about his relationship with his “MVP”, mum Kelly, and recalled coming out to her.
Adam and Jenna went on the nail their routine in front of the judges and a live studio audience, and Adam’s trademark with was on display as he was asked afterwards by host Amanda Byram about what the performance meant to him.
“You know, it’s crazy – the only thing I’m thankful for is that I’m a beautiful crier,” he joked.
“It’s so hard to watch that package before you go out and dance.”
With the exception of self-professed “party pooper” Len Goodman, who awared them nine points (for shame!), Adam and Jenna’s routine was given 10s across the board by the judges.
Watch the stunning performance below: