The only thing people like better than an Olympic gold medalist is a Olympic gold medalist who's overcome cancer. It lends a heroic note to the proceedings and makes observers think they can do something similarly heroic. It doesn't hurt that he's bald. That he comes across like the guy next door. He's also not that big.
People feel as if they can get next to a small, bald guy.
The performance had the feel of an impromptu event after the judges, parents and agents had gone home. Exquisite choreography aside, it might be akin to watching pro basketball players play a pickup game. Ice skating is sexy. A woman never looks better than when she's wearing an ice skating skirt, a man more elegant than when he sports a tie, white shirt and tails. It's like ball room dancing on a larger canvas.