US Women's Figure Skating Trio Aim for Olympic Gold

Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito bring a new generation of American role models to the Milan Cortina Games

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The trio of U.S. women targeting Olympic figure skating gold Tuesday night are not the dainty ice princesses of yesteryear. There's Amber Glenn, a 26-year-old powerhouse and LGBTQ+ rights activist; Alysa Liu, the one-time phenom who retired at 16 only to launch a comeback; and Isabeau Levito, perhaps the closest thing to the innocent image of teen predecessors, until you get her away from the cameras. They've dubbed themselves the 'Blade Angels' and are a new kind of role model for a new generation of American girls.

Why it matters

This group of U.S. women figure skaters represents a shift away from the traditional 'ice princess' image, embracing their diverse personalities, backgrounds, and perspectives. They are poised to be the last chance to salvage a disappointing Olympics for American figure skating, but more importantly, they are inspiring a new generation of girls to pursue their passions in the sport.

The details

Amber Glenn is a 26-year-old powerhouse and LGBTQ+ rights activist whose career took off just as most figure skaters are retiring. Alysa Liu retired at 16 but has made a comeback, winning the world title - the first for an American woman in nearly two decades. Isabeau Levito, at 18, projects an 'ice princess' image on camera, but off-camera has a sarcastic, non-conformist personality. Together, they've dubbed themselves the 'Blade Angels' and are aiming to make their mark at the Milan Cortina Games.

  • The U.S. women's figure skating competition is scheduled for Tuesday night at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
  • Amber Glenn has been representing the U.S. internationally for nearly 15 years.

The players

Amber Glenn

A 26-year-old figure skater from Plano, Texas who is a powerhouse and LGBTQ+ rights activist. Her career took off just as most figure skaters are contemplating retirement.

Alysa Liu

A 20-year-old figure skater who was a one-time phenom, retiring at 16 before launching a comeback that resulted in the first world title for an American woman in nearly two decades.

Isabeau Levito

An 18-year-old figure skater who projects an 'ice princess' image on camera, but off-camera has a sarcastic, non-conformist personality.

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What they’re saying

“I really like that we're all different, and we all have our own strengths and personalities, and our own ways we want to look and appear. I think it's really great, because while we all have the same passion for the sport, and we have very aligned goals.”

— Isabeau Levito

“I hope I can use my platform and voice throughout these Games to help people stay strong during these hard times. A lot of people will say, 'You're just an athlete. Stick to your job. Shut up about politics.' But politics affect us all.”

— Amber Glenn

“I used to feel like a puppet or a canvas that other people were using. Now I do things for myself.”

— Alysa Liu

What’s next

The U.S. women's figure skating competition is scheduled for Tuesday night at the Milan Cortina Olympics, where Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito will compete for the gold medal.

The takeaway

This group of U.S. women figure skaters represents a new generation of role models who are embracing their diverse personalities, backgrounds, and perspectives. They are inspiring young girls to pursue their passions in the sport, moving beyond the traditional 'ice princess' image.