Ilia Malinin used his emotional gala performance at the Milano Cortina Games to address the pitfalls of social media and the harsh spotlight, following his unexpected eighth-place finish in the men’s singles event. Skating to the song “Fear” by American rapper NF, which delves into mental health struggles and loss of control, Malinin portrayed a scene of scrolling through a phone while reacting to imaginary flashbulbs and seeking solace under his hoodie.
Both Malinin and his American teammate Alysa Liu, the women’s champion, headlined the event that honors the stars of the past two weeks in figure skating. Malinin, once a top contender for the gold medal, faced immense pressure at the Olympics, leading to a disappointing performance with falls and missed jumps in his free program.
Despite the setbacks, Malinin’s exhibition performance showcased his resilience with a backflip and a single quadruple jump, earning him a standing ovation from the crowd. Liu, on the other hand, delivered a joyful skate to “Stateside” by PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson, embodying a renewed sense of happiness after a two-year break from the sport.
Other notable performances included ice dance champions from France skating to “Mad Rush” and pairs champions from Japan performing to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling.” The men’s singles surprise champion, Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan, donned a Kung Fu Panda costume and received accolades from martial artist and actor Jackie Chan.
The gala event celebrated the resilience and artistry of the figure skating competitors, offering a memorable conclusion to the Winter Olympic sports program in Milano Cortina 2026.