Jason Brown lit up the arena at Skate America, earning a standing ovation and a score of 82.69 with the program that made him a global sensation. Yes, it was his iconic Riverdance. About 12 years ago, as a 14-year-old skater, Brown stunned the world with his viral performance that instantly made him the pinnacle of excellence in figure skating. Now, as he brought his electric program back to the public, Brown left the world in awe. Yet, he was a bit disappointed. 

What upset him were the technical errors. They were so frustrating for him. “That’s what I hate, but [I] will compete again in a week,” he said. The nine-time Grand Prix medalist received Level 4s for two spins and his step sequence. However, two of his jumping passes got negative GOEs. That made him say, “So hopefully I can take what I did today, learn from it, and make sure that the long tomorrow is much cleaner. Hopefully, the confidence will just continue to rise.” 

Of course, Brown was honored to share the Riverdance with the crowd and felt a pang of pride as he received the applause. But there was also a subtle emptiness. Following the performance, he said, “I wish it was a cleaner skate,” he said. But still, he was happy with his overall performance and was glad that he got to compete at the Grand Prix. Despite the hiccups, Brown emphasized that his confidence has grown this season, especially after the senior B events. 

Still, the emotions of the moment didn’t end with his self-reflection. Brown’s return to Riverdance wasn’t just about getting back to an old program. So, why did Jason Brown bring the Riverdance back after 12 years?

Jason Brown opens up on choosing Riverdance for the 2025 Saavta Skate America

During a recent conversation with CBC Olympics, the 2015 US National Champion revealed the importance of Riverdance in his figure skating career. He jumps into the time capsule and goes back to the time when he made his first Olympic team with the Riverdance. Needless to say, he was excited and flattered by the love the community showed for the program. It also made him proud. He believed that he was getting better with more complex programs and interesting stories. 

Jason Brown confessed, “It almost felt like when actors get like a pivotal role and then they’re known for that role. And like, no matter what other roles they play, everyone goes back to like, but that one.” The Riverdance has enough popularity to make Brown feel like he can’t escape it. And now, more than a decade later, people still hold his Riverdance in high regard. He continued, “Such a big reason of why I’m still competing is because of the fans, because of the sport, because of everyone who’s been supporting me along the way that I was like, there’s something about bringing it back and doing it all these years later as like a love letter to the sport and as a thank you.”

As he said, bringing the Riverdance back is more than just nostalgia. It’s a tribute to the program that shaped his identity. He’s simply honoring his past, celebrating his iconic performance’s longevity, and reminding us why it still matters. But what do you think of Brown’s latest performance? Could he really have done better?