The 'Blade Angels' Redefine U.S. Women's Figure Skating

Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito are a new generation of American figure skating stars

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The trio of U.S. women competing for Olympic figure skating gold in Milan are not the dainty ice princesses of the past. Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito have each taken untraditional paths to the top of the sport, overcoming personal struggles and rejecting the sport's conservative image. They've dubbed themselves the 'Blade Angels' and are redefining what it means to be an American figure skater.

Why it matters

The 'Blade Angels' represent a shift in the image and culture of U.S. women's figure skating, moving away from the sport's historically conservative and princess-like persona. Their diverse backgrounds, outspoken personalities, and nonconformist styles are resonating with a new generation of fans and inspiring young girls to pursue the sport.

The details

Amber Glenn, 26, is a three-time U.S. champion known for her outspoken political views and passion for 'Magic: The Gathering.' Alysa Liu, 20, is the first American woman to win a world title in nearly two decades, having retired at 16 before making a comeback. Isabeau Levito, 18, projects an 'ice princess' image but is known for her sarcastic humor away from the cameras. Together, they've rejected suggestions for team names like 'Powerpuff Girls' and 'Babes of Glory' in favor of 'Blade Angels,' an homage to 'Charlie's Angels.'

  • 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 was asked about her favorite quality in Alysa Liu at last month's U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

The players

Amber Glenn

A 26-year-old American figure skater and three-time U.S. champion known for her outspoken political views and passion for the trading card game 'Magic: The Gathering.'

Alysa Liu

A 20-year-old American figure skater who is the first American woman to win a world title in nearly two decades, having retired at 16 before making a comeback.

Isabeau Levito

An 18-year-old American figure skater who projects an 'ice princess' image but is known for her sarcastic humor away from the cameras.

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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 U.S. women will compete for Olympic figure skating gold in Milan tonight.

The takeaway

The 'Blade Angels' represent a new generation of American figure skaters who are redefining the sport's traditionally conservative image. Their diverse backgrounds, outspoken personalities, and nonconformist styles are inspiring young girls to pursue the sport and challenging the notion of what it means to be an elite U.S. figure skater.