“They imposed extremely strict rules. We knew the single was released in 1989, but we thought we had some flexibility since the ISU allows modern remixes, covers, and adaptations of music.” Guillaume Cizeron on changing their RD
Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry are debuting their new routine at the Grand Prix de France.
original source: franceinfo.fe dd. October 14th 2025 by Anais Brosseau
On Tuesday, October 14, ice dancers Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry shed light on their decision to completely revise their rhythm dance program. Four days ahead of their debut at the Grand Prix de France in Angers on Saturday, October 18, they reflected on the disruption to their return to competition. Here’s a translation of their comments posted in Franceinfo.
After copeting at the Masters de Villard-de-Lans at the end of August, the new duo withdrew from the Nebelhorn Trophy. This event in Germany, intended to mark their debut on the international stage, was canceled due to a major setback: they discovered that a segment of music from their rhythm dance, themed around the 1990s, violated regulations. As a result, Cizeron and Fournier Beaudry had to overhaul their program.
The new program now features a medley of four Madonna songs, maintaining the original artistic intent: an homage to voguing.
Q: How did you react to learning that 30 seconds of your rhythm dance music were deemed “illegal”?
Guillaume Cizeron: They imposed extremely strict rules. We knew the single was released in 1989, but we thought we had some flexibility since the ISU allows modern remixes, covers, and adaptations of music originating in the 1990s. Our version was a 2011 remix of the album released in 1990. However, the single from 1989 and the album version are entirely different tracks.
It should have been accepted, but interpreting such rules often involves gray areas. It depends on perception, so we chose not to risk losing two points over it. The frustration and anxiety around having to change the music are now behind us; we’ve moved on.
Q: Why did you swap Depeche Mode for Madonna?
Guillaume Cizeron: We decided to pivot back to our original idea: voguing set to Madonna’s Vogue. We tried to preserve the strongest elements of our initial program and translate them into this new setting.
We didn’t fundamentally change the concept because the essence remains intact. It’s more about shifting the visual and thematic universe. While Depeche Mode and Madonna have different vibes, at our level, we quickly adapted to make the music our own.
Q: How long did reconstructing the program take?
Laurence Fournier Beaudry: We spent a lot of time carefully listening to different songs, crafting a musical montage that flows cohesively from start to finish. This involved aligning the transitions and elements while incorporating adjustments we wanted to make. It required effort both on and off the ice.
Guillaume Cizeron: We decided to change the music about a week after the Masters de Villard-de-Lans (August 29–30). It took roughly four to five weeks to complete the process.
Q: How do you feel about the new creation?
Guillaume Cizeron: In a way, this setback was a blessing. We feel stronger performing to this music. There were aspects of the previous program we wanted to refine, and this revision allowed us to develop the concept even further – rooted deeply in the spirit of voguing and its cultural birthplace.
We’ve fully embraced the new theme and are proud of what we’ve created. This program will be even more impactful. We’ve had solid weeks of training and feel confident delivering strong performances.
Q: With the lost time, do you think you’ll be ready for the Milan Olympics?
Guillaume Cizeron: The progression builds as the season unfolds, and we’re happy with our readiness right now. In just a few months, we’ve made significant improvements – greater fluidity, developing automatisms. We don’t feel unprepared; we’re 100% ready with what we have currently.”
Related topics: Guillaume Cizeron, Laurence Fournier Beaudry
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