Team USA’s Oona and Gage Brown Deliver Mesmerizing Ice Dance to Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters”

In the quiet early hours at Bryant Park’s Winter Village ice rink, Team USA’s junior ice dancers Oona and Gage Brown delivered a performance that would travel far beyond the boundaries of competitive figure skating. Skating to Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters,” they merged athletic precision with raw emotion, creating a routine that felt as much like a cinematic moment as a sporting display. The song’s haunting melody set the tone as the siblings glided into perfect unison, each movement a seamless blend of grace and power.

The choice of “Nothing Else Matters” was more than a musical backdrop—it was a statement. Originally released on Metallica’s 1991 self-titled album, the track has transcended the metal genre to become a universal anthem of vulnerability and connection. For two young ice dancers to take on such an iconic piece, and do it justice in their own unique way, underscored their ability to channel emotion through movement as much as through technical skill.

Filmed by On Ice Perspectives at around 6:45 a.m. during the Thanksgiving weekend, the setting itself played a role in the magic. The rink, surrounded by the still-sleeping city, seemed suspended in time, the early light bouncing off the ice and wrapping the dancers in a soft glow. Without the noise of an audience, the focus was entirely on their skating, their expressions, and the story they told through each step and spin.

Oona and Gage are no strangers to the spotlight. In 2019, they claimed the junior pewter medal at the U.S. Championships, and a year later, they earned the junior bronze. These achievements were hard-won, built on years of training and a relentless drive to refine their craft. Their performance to Metallica’s classic felt like the culmination of that dedication—a chance to merge their athletic accomplishments with pure artistic expression.

Their weekly schedule reflects a level of discipline far beyond their years. Averaging 18 hours a week on the ice and an additional six hours focused on strength and endurance, they have forged a partnership that thrives on trust, timing, and shared vision. Every lift and turn in their “Nothing Else Matters” routine reflected that trust, the kind that only comes from years of skating side by side.

Part of what made the performance so powerful was the absence of competition pressure. This wasn’t about scores or medals—it was about connection. The Browns took a song born out of James Hetfield’s deeply personal songwriting and translated it into a physical dialogue, each movement echoing the song’s themes of loyalty, resilience, and authenticity.

The siblings’ upbringing has played a big role in their journey. As two of seven children, homeschooled and supported by a tight-knit family, they’ve had the freedom to pursue skating at the highest level while maintaining a strong personal bond. Their ability to present as both partners and siblings on the ice adds a layer of intimacy to their performances that audiences can feel.

Social media and crowdfunding have also become part of their story. By sharing moments like this Metallica routine online, they’ve not only reached fans around the world but also garnered the financial support needed to continue training and competing internationally. The viral spread of the video shows that figure skating can captivate audiences far beyond its traditional fan base when paired with the right artistic choices.

The selection of “Nothing Else Matters” was especially poignant given the sport’s reliance on music to shape mood and pacing. The song’s slow build, swelling chords, and lyrical openness allowed for a performance that was both restrained and explosive, with each crescendo matched by a burst of skating power—whether in a dramatic lift or a sweeping edge across the ice.

What stood out most was their ability to balance athleticism with vulnerability. In a sport where technical elements often take center stage, Oona and Gage demonstrated that storytelling and emotional resonance can be just as powerful. Watching them, one could sense that every glide and turn had purpose, every hand placement and eye contact a meaning.

For the Browns, this was also a form of preparation for future stages. The Olympics remain an ultimate goal, and moments like this serve as both artistic milestones and confidence-building experiences. Performing a piece that resonates so widely is a way to hone their ability to connect with diverse audiences—a skill essential for the highest levels of competition.

The physical environment on the day of filming cannot be overlooked. The crisp air, the echo of blades carving into the ice, and the absence of crowd noise created an intimacy that magnified every movement. It’s the kind of setting where artistry thrives, stripped of distractions, allowing the performance to exist purely for itself and for those who would later watch it.

As the routine unfolded, there was a sense that the music and movement had become inseparable. “Nothing Else Matters” speaks of dedication, of staying true to one’s path despite outside judgment—a theme that resonates deeply with athletes in niche sports. The Browns seemed to skate not just for the audience, but for themselves, affirming their own journey.

By the final notes, the performance had taken on the quality of a shared secret—a glimpse into the dedication, love for the craft, and shared history of two young athletes who have spent much of their lives chasing the perfect moment on the ice. Their smiles and subtle gestures toward each other at the end were as telling as any medal ceremony.

Ultimately, Oona and Gage Brown’s routine to Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” was a reminder that sport and art are not separate realms but two expressions of the same human drive to create, connect, and endure. On that quiet New York morning, they proved that with the right combination of music, movement, and heart, a performance can leave an impact that lingers long after the final note fades.