Okay, hear me out. I was scrolling through my feed, drowning in AI-generated art and discourse about the metaverse, when I saw a headline that stopped me cold: *Remember the ’90s? You will if you watch ice dance.*
It was a gut punch of nostalgia so specific, I could almost smell the CK One and hear the dial-up modem.
The article, from the ever-sharp Morning Brew, wasn't kidding. Ice dance, that glittering, often-misunderstood corner of figure skating, has become a full-blown time capsule. And I am here for it.
We’re not talking about a subtle nod. We’re talking full-throttle, commitment-to-the-bit '90s revival. It’s in the music choices—think Janet Jackson’s *Rhythm Nation* with its sharp, militaristic precision, or the haunting strains of *The X-Files* theme creeping over the boards. It’s in the costumes: the high-cut leotards, the sheer mesh, the chokers, the velour. It’s in the very *vibe*—a certain raw, athletic grunge-meets-glamour aesthetic that we simply don’t see anywhere else in sports or pop culture today.
So why ice dance? Why now?
I think it’s the perfect storm. First, the skaters competing now were born in the early 2000s. The '90s aren’t a lived memory for them; they’re a curated, aesthetic playground. They’re pulling the cool parts—the iconic beats, the bold fashion statements—without the baggage. It’s nostalgia at one remove, which somehow makes it feel fresher.
Second, and more importantly, ice dance *needs* a vibe. Unlike the explosive jumps of singles skating, ice dance is about storytelling, connection, and character. The '90s provide a rich, instantly recognizable palette. A program set to Massive Attack or En Vogue comes pre-loaded with attitude and emotion. It gives the audience an immediate "in," a shared cultural touchstone that makes the technical footwork and intricate lifts even more compelling.
In a world where everything feels algorithmically smooth, hyper-polished, and risk-averse, there’s something deliciously bold about watching two athletes throw down to TLC’s *Waterfalls*. It’s unapologetic. It’s fun. It has *edge*.
So, the next time you feel like the past is a foreign country, don’t just dig out your old CDs. Tune into an ice dance competition. The '90s aren't just remembered there. They’re doing twizzles, winning medals, and proving that some decades have a rhythm that never truly fades.
