Bold New US Figure Skating Trio Eyes Olympic Gold

Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito aim to make history as a new generation of American role models.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The trio of U.S. women targeting Olympic figure skating gold in Milan are not the dainty ice princesses of yesteryear. Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito, dubbed the "Blade Angels," are a new kind of role model for a new generation of American girls, with diverse personalities, backgrounds, and perspectives that set them apart from past U.S. figure skating stars.

Why it matters

This bold new trio represents a shift in American figure skating, moving away from the traditional "ice princess" image towards more diverse, outspoken, and relatable role models. Their success could help revive the fortunes of U.S. figure skating after a disappointing Olympics.

The details

Amber Glenn, 26, is a three-time U.S. champion and LGBTQ+ rights activist whose outspoken views have made her a polarizing figure. Alysa Liu, 20, is a former phenom who retired at 16 before making a comeback, winning the world title and earning her first Olympic berth. Isabeau Levito, 18, projects an innocent "ice princess" image, but her sarcastic wit and biting humor shine through when the cameras are off.

  • Amber Glenn has represented the U.S. internationally for nearly 15 years.
  • Alysa Liu quit figure skating at 16 after the 2022 Beijing Olympics, but launched a comeback two years ago.
  • Isabeau Levito is making her Olympic debut in Milan.

The players

Amber Glenn

A 26-year-old American figure skater and three-time U.S. champion who is an outspoken LGBTQ+ rights activist.

Alysa Liu

A 20-year-old American figure skater who was a former phenom, retired at 16, and then made a comeback, winning the world title and earning her first Olympic berth.

Isabeau Levito

An 18-year-old American figure skater who projects an innocent "ice princess" image, but has a sarcastic wit and biting humor that shines through when the cameras are off.

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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 really hated skating when I quit. Like, I really didn't like it. I didn't care about competitions. I didn't care about places. I didn't care about skaters. I didn't care about my programs. I just wanted to, like, get away. I want nothing to do with that. I hated fame. I hated social media. I didn't like interviews. Like, I hated all of it.”

— Alysa Liu

What’s next

The trio of American women will compete for Olympic figure skating gold on Tuesday night in Milan.

The takeaway

This new generation of American figure skaters, led by Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito, are breaking the mold of the traditional "ice princess" image and serving as bold, diverse role models for a new era of the sport.