Charles Allen "Charlie" White Jr., born on October 24, 1987, is an American former competitive ice dancer. He is best known for his partnership with Meryl Davis. Together, they became the longest-lasting ice dancing team in the United States.
Davis and White were ranked first in the world in ice dancing by the International Skating Union between 2009 and 2014. In 2014, they reached what was arguably the pinnacle of their professional careers when they became the very first American duo to win Olympic Gold in ice dancing at the Sochi Olympic Games. They are also four-time national champions (2009-2014).
Davis and White teamed up in 1997 and they are currently the longest-lasting dance team in the United States. They are the first American ice dancers to win the World title, as well as the first Americans to win the Olympic title.
Meryl Davis and Charlie White at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Early Life and Introduction to Skating
White was born in the Detroit suburb of Royal Oak, Michigan, the son of Jacqui and Charlie White Sr. He attended Roeper School in Birmingham, Michigan from nursery school through high school where he played violin in the school string quartet and was involved with the student government. White graduated in 2005.
Read also: Weather Forecast
White's introduction to ice occurred at age three, when he first skated recreationally with family on the frozen canals of Belle Isle in Detroit, followed by enrollment in a local mom-and-tot class in Berkley. By 1992, at age five, he formally began lessons through the learn-to-skate program at the Detroit Skating Club in Bloomfield Township. Initially drawn to hockey, he joined the club's Wolverines team and helped secure a state championship, but around age seven, a coach recommended transitioning to figure skating to address posture issues developed from hockey. He began competing in singles and started ice dancing with Meryl Davis in 1997 at age nine.
Partnership with Meryl Davis
He was partnered with Meryl Davis in 1997, by Seth Chafetz. In 2009, Davis said: "Charlie and I grew up 10 minutes apart from each other. Our parents are best friends." In their first season together, Davis/White won the silver medal at the Junior Olympics in the Juvenile division.
Early Competitive Years
White began skating at age five. He originally competed as both a single skater and an ice dancer. Championships on the Novice level, and competed internationally on the junior level. He began ice dancing when he was seven at his coach's advice, who hoped it would smooth out White's skating.
Davis and White, who began their partnership in 1997, quickly progressed through the novice ranks. Junior Championships, finishing behind teammates Kirsten Frisch and Jonathan Holmes. Figure Skating Championships. Throughout their junior career from 2001 to 2006, Davis and White navigated challenges including injuries, such as an ankle issue for White in the 2004 season, and adjustments in coaching dynamics as they refined their training under Shpilband and later Marina Zoueva.
- In 2001-02, they won the silver medal as novices and then moved up to the junior level.
- In the 2003-04 season, Davis/White won their sectional championship and then won the junior silver medal at Nationals.
- In the 2004-2005 season, Davis/White won two bronze on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series.
- Championships and then won the bronze medal at the 2006 Junior Worlds.
Senior Career
Davis and White transitioned to senior competition in the 2006-2007 season, making their international debut on the ISU Grand Prix circuit with a fourth-place finish at the NHK Trophy in November 2006. At the 2006 NHK Trophy, they became the first team to earn all level fours on their elements. Championships, they won the bronze medal at the senior level, qualifying them for the 2007 World Championships. Davis/White also qualified for the Four Continents Championships, which took place before Worlds, and placed fourth. Championships due to its poor reception.
Read also: Winter Adventures: Camo Ski Pants
Seasons 2008-2010
In the 2008-2009 season, Davis/White won their first Grand Prix assignment, the 2008 Skate Canada. In their second assignment, the 2008 Cup of Russia, they placed third in the compulsory dance but were eighth in the original dance after White fell twice and stumbled on twizzles. They recovered in the free dance, placing second in the segment and moving up to win the bronze medal, which together with the gold from Skate Canada was enough to qualify them for their first Grand Prix Final.
Davis/White won gold at the 2009 National Championships, after reigning champions Belbin/Agosto withdrew due to injury. They won by a 20-point margin over silver medalists Emily Samuelson / Evan Bates. In February 2009, they won the ice dance title at the Four Continents Championships, placing second in both the compulsory and original dance behind training mates Tessa Virtue / Scott Moir but winning the free dance. At the 2009 World Championships they placed 4th. Though they placed third in both the original and free dance portions, they lost too much ground in the compulsory to overcome training mates Virtue and Moir for the bronze.
Davis/White competed at the 2009 Nebelhorn Trophy, finishing first in all the segments of the competition. Davis/White won the 2009 Rostelecom Cup and the 2009 NHK Trophy, which qualified them for the 2009-2010 Grand Prix Final. At the Grand Prix Final, they won the original dance and placed second in the free dance to win the title overall, becoming the first American ice dancers to do so. At the 2010 National Championships, Davis and White won their second national title.
At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Davis/White placed second to Canada's Virtue/Moir, winning silver. They skated a personal best in the free skate portion of ice dancing, garnering a score of 107.19 and received a personal best total score of 215.74.
Seasons 2010-2012
For the 2010-11 ISU Grand Prix season, they were assigned to the 2010 NHK Trophy and to the 2010 Skate America. They won NHK with 66.97 points in the short dance and 98.24 in the free dance, for a total of 165.21 points. Following NHK, they decided to make some adjustments to their free dance. At Skate America they earned 63.62 in the short dance and 93.06 points in the free dance after both fell, with their nearest rivals also having a fall. They earned an overall total of 156.68 and the gold medal. Their results qualified them for the 2010-2011 Grand Prix Final where they successfully defended their title, scoring 68.64 in the short and 102.94 in the free for a total of 171.58 points. Championships held at Greensboro, North Carolina.
Read also: Community and Hockey in White Bear
At the 2011 Four Continents Championships, Davis/White placed second to Virtue/Moir in the short dance. The Canadians later withdrew from the free dance. Davis/White went on to win the free dance and the title with a total of 172.03 points. At the 2011 World Championships, they placed second in the short dance by 0.53 points, with a score of 73.76 points. In the free dance, they placed first with a score of 111.51 points, the highest free dance score that season. Overall, they won the gold medal with a score of 185.27, beating reigning Olympic and World champions Virtue/Moir by 3.48 points. The 2010-2011 season marked a pinnacle, with Davis and White winning their first World title at the championships in Moscow-the first for an American ice dance team in the event's history.
For the 2011-2012 season, Davis/White were assigned to two Grand Prix events-2011 Skate America and 2011 Cup of Russia-having declined a newly introduced option to compete in a third. They announced their music selections in August, including La Strada for their free dance, but in October announced a change to Die Fledermaus. Davis and White won gold at Skate America, with 70.33 points in the short dance and 107.74 points in the free dance. They were 21.78 points ahead of 2nd place team Nathalie Péchalat / Fabian Bourzat. At 2011 Rostelecom Cup, the couple improved with a total score of 179.06, despite a small stumble in the short dance. They placed 17.88 points ahead of 2nd place team Kaitlyn Weaver / Andrew Poje. Their placements qualified them for the 2011-2012 Grand Prix Final, where they placed first. The two would later become silver medalists at the 2012 Four Continents Championships and 2012 World Championships. However, at the 2012 World Team Trophy, they edged Virtue/Moir by 5.6 points, and Team USA won the silver medal. title for the third straight year and claimed silver at the World Championships in Nice, trailing Virtue and Moir by a narrow margin.
Seasons 2012-2014
For the 2012-2013 season, Davis/White were assigned to compete at 2012 Skate America and the 2012 NHK Trophy, winning gold in both events. In December, they set a record by becoming the first team to win four Grand Prix Final titles, when they came in first in both the short and free dances. ice dance record. scoring records in both the short and free dances. They continued their undefeated season winning the gold medal at the 2013 Four Continents, despite a small bobble that left them in second in the short dance portion. They won the free dance ahead of Virtue/Moir. Davis and White worked with Derek Hough and Alex Wong on their programs for 2013 and 2014. title and repeated as World champions in London, Ontario, edging out Virtue and Moir to reclaim the top spot.
The 2013-2014 season culminated in Olympic glory at the Sochi Winter Games, where Davis and White won gold in ice dance- the first for the United States in the discipline-and bronze in the team event. On February 5, 2014, the pair appeared among five other Olympians in a one-hour special on NBC television, How to Raise an Olympian. team, which was awarded bronze medal overall.Davis and White posted record scores in both the short program and freedance and were awarded the first Olympic gold medal for Americans in ice dance.
Music and Choreography
Throughout their partnership, Meryl Davis and Charlie White selected music that spanned classical, theatrical, and contemporary genres, allowing them to convey storytelling, passion, and precision in their routines. In the pre-2010 period, their programs often drew from iconic musicals to build emotional intensity.
For the 2009-2010 season, their original dance featured a Bollywood medley, including vibrant tracks like "Jai Ho" and traditional Indian rhythms, infusing the routine with energetic footwork and cultural homage that captivated audiences at the Vancouver Olympics. From 2010 to 2012, their selections incorporated global influences and operatic elegance. In the 2010-2011 season, they performed an original dance to swing music, including "Sing, Sing, Sing," showcasing lively rhythms and precise footwork. The 2013-2014 Olympic season represented the pinnacle of their artistic range. Post-retirement, their exhibition programs continued this blend in ice shows.
Post-Competitive Career
Following his retirement from competitive skating after the 2014 Winter Olympics, Charlie White began assisting with coaching and choreography at the Arctic Edge Ice Arena in Canton, Michigan, where he had trained throughout his career. He provided informal guidance to junior skaters and contributed to training sessions, drawing on his experience as an Olympic champion.
In 2022, White co-founded the Michigan Ice Dance Academy (MIDA) at the Arctic Edge with his wife, Tanith Belbin White, and Greg Zuerlein, establishing an elite training center dedicated to ice dancing. As head coach, White emphasizes technique, artistry, and mental preparation, integrating a multidisciplinary approach that includes collaboration with sport physicians, trainers, and mental health professionals to support skaters' overall well-being.
White and Burgess delivered several standout performances throughout the season, showcasing his athleticism in diverse styles. In week 1, they performed a contemporary routine to "Let Her Go" by Passenger, earning a score of 27 out of 40, with judge Len Goodman noting its resemblance to "ice dancing without the ice." Their jive to "Happy" by Pharrell Williams in week 3 highlighted White's energy and precision, scoring 36 out of 40 and dedicating the dance to his family and supporters. In the partner switch-up week (week 4), White was paired with Peta Murgatroyd for a rumba to "Wildest Moments" by Jessie Ware, scoring 33 out of 40. During Disney Night in week 5, they executed a jazz number inspired by Mary Poppins to "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," receiving 37 out of 40 for its whimsical lifts and synchronization. In week 6, they performed a cha-cha-cha to "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" by C+C Music Factory, scoring 36 out of 40. Later, in week 9, he and Burgess performed a foxtrot to "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra, earning a perfect 40 out of 40, praised for its elegance and timing, though their subsequent samba to "Mo Money Mo Problems" by The Notorious B.I.G.
Post-2014 Olympic gold, White entered several endorsement partnerships that extended his public profile beyond skating. He and Davis were named brand ambassadors for Ralph Lauren in early 2014, promoting the label's apparel during their competitive peak. Additional deals included sponsorships with Puffs facial tissues starting in 2013 and Visa, alongside Airweave mattresses, which highlighted their appeal in consumer and lifestyle sectors.
Achievements and Recognition
Figure Skating Hall of Fame alongside Davis, marking their first year of eligibility and honoring their pioneering achievements as the most decorated American ice dance team. He has also supported charity initiatives tied to skating foundations, such as participating in the 2015 Ice Champions Live!
He has appeared as a guest on podcasts sharing career insights, such as the 2021 "Growing a Champion" episode, where he reflected on building a lifelong partnership with Davis and lessons in resilience, and a 2023 interview on "Santee on Skates," discussing transitions from competition to post-athletic pursuits.