Two Disney On Ice skaters are going viral after a risky lift went wrong during a show in San Jose, California, on October 25. The performers playing Ariel and Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid both crashed to the ice, but they got back on their feet and have continued performing as scheduled.
What Happened on the Ice
The pair were performing a move known as the “headbanger” at the SAP Center. During the move, Eric holds Ariel by the ankle and spins her around, bringing her head close to the ice. After about five rotations, Eric appeared to lose his footing and his grip on Ariel’s leg. Both skaters fell to the ice as the crowd watched, and Ariel briefly held her head. After a few moments, they got back up, waved to the audience and left the rink.
Feld Entertainment, which produces Disney On Ice, said “both skaters were uninjured and continued performing as scheduled.” A Disney On Ice fan shared the video on TikTok, where it has racked up nearly 9 million views. The fan video captured the entire moment, as you can see below:
Figure skater hits head on ice during Disney show Her partner lost control of her during a spin, causing her head to strike the ice https://t.co/fRNOYTzkl0
— RTVisual (@RT_Visual_on_X) October 29, 2026
A Move Banned in Competition
Competitive figure skating often bans the headbanger because of how risky it is. However, the move often appears in entertainment skating, including the British TV show Dancing On Ice. Since Disney On Ice is a show rather than a competition, those rules do not apply. Feld, not Disney, produces and runs the touring show.
Not the First Scare
In February 2024, a skater playing Belle fell during a lift at a Disney On Ice show in Minneapolis. The hospital initially listed her in critical condition, which later improved to satisfactory. This time, both skaters walked away without injuries.
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