Meet the Blade Angels: U.S. Olympic Figure Skaters Inspiring a Generation

The 2026 Winter Olympics have officially come to a close, and everyone is talking about the stunning performances on ice. Calling themselves the 'Blade Angels,' Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, and Isabeau Levito are Team USA's 2026 Olympic figure skaters. After their appearances on and off the ice, they have captured the hearts of so many people around the world with their powerful performances and magnetic personalities. Each one of these women is authentically themselves, and each is worthy of their own introduction.

Pictured below from the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships are Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, Isabeau Levito, and Brandie Tennell (left to right).

Image Credit: SpiritedMichelle from Wikimedia Commons

Alysa Liu

Every second Alysa Liu is on the ice, she is skating with her soul. Starting figure skating at 5 years old, she spent her childhood on the ice. Then, at just 16, she was competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

The majority of her time was spent eating, sleeping, and breathing ice skating. Alysa missed having a life she enjoyed, and began to hate the sport she once loved. She became severely burnt out and started to struggle with her mental health after so many years of consistent and demanding training. So at 16 years old, after finishing the Olympics, she made the decision to retire.

In 2024, she approached her coaches with a newfound confidence in herself. Wanting to skate again, she explained how she wanted to return not because she had to compete but because she chose to skate again on her own terms, focusing on meaning instead of medals.

So, coming out of retirement, Alysa made an effort to speak out about her struggles. She actively advocates for mental health, showing individuals that it is healthy to take breaks. She acts as a powerful reminder to trust yourself and to never let go of your uniqueness or what is important to you. Alysa has taught people the importance of standing up for yourself, especially in places where it feels uncomfortable to do so.

“No one tells me what I’m gonna wear. No one tells me how my hair is gonna be. No one’s gonna try to change me" she told Cosmopolitan in January 2026.

Now at 20 years old (and with her iconic hair), she has returned to the ice on her own terms for the 2026 Winter Olympics. From interviews to performances, her magnetic positivity and optimism have shone through the consuming Olympic pressure.

Alysa demonstrated an incredible shift in her mindset, where she found a sense of peace. She has explained that while she is competing, she just hopes to simply have fun, be herself, and deepen her love for ice skating. After helping the United States win the team event a few days prior, she went into the women's event with the same mindset she has the entire competition: to be herself and enjoy every moment.

After making history by winning the first American women’s singles figure skating gold medal in 24 years, she tells an television interviewer,

"I don’t need this. But what I needed was a stage, and I got that. So I was all good, no matter what. If I fell on every jump, I would still be wearing this dress, so it’s all good"

Alysa is a young woman who has showed resilience and dedication throughout her struggles, while also teaching the importance of vulnerability and humility. She uses her platform to allow other young girls around the world to feel confident in themselves.

With her mindset, she is a continuous reminder that everyone should treat themselves kindly. Alysa had to fight through constant criticism, relentless training, and adults controlling her body. That type of toxicity could have broken anyone, and yet, Alysa faced it all, stepped back to reclaim herself, and came back stronger than ever.

She captivates generations as they watch from their TV screens in awe.

Image Credit: YantsImages from Wikimedia Commons

Take the Quiz: Which Blade Angel best represents you?

Are you more like Alysa, Amber, or Isabeau?

Amber Glenn

Amber Glenn truly represents the heart behind this powerful trio. She grew up in Texas, where she was homeschooled for most of her childhood years. Amber started skating at a rink in a local shopping mall when she was just 5 years old, this is where she discovered her love for figure skating. As she grew older, Amber began to skate competitively and became recognized as a highly ranked competitor.

Although, off the ice, Amber struggled with a number of personal challenges that affected her daily routine. When asked in an interview about her struggles, she shared how much pressure she was under at the time and how difficult it was to deal with unreasonable body standards for women. She mentioned how she struggled with anxiety, depression, and ADHD from a young age, ultimately amplifying the daily challenges she had to face.

Over the next several years, Amber began to find her voice once more. In 2019, Amber came out as bisexual and pansexual in an interview with Dallas Voice. After this announcement went public, she earned the support of many LGBTQ+ fans who cheered her on from the sidelines as she kept competing for the following years.

Amber told an interviewer, "I almost started crying before I even skated. It was one of the most emotional performances of my life. I felt so free."

Even before her Olympic career, Amber gave people a sense of belonging. She represented and spoke up for so many people who were too afraid to do so themselves. She skated with her whole heart, and never stopped being proud of who she is. This confidence and vulnerability to share deeply personal struggles was something uncommon in the figure skating world, until now.

In 2021, Amber made the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team. However, she unfortunately had to withdraw from the games after testing positive for COVID-19.

Even after the setback, she worked hard to establish herself as a top ranked figure skater. This recognition and determination lead to her making the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team in 2026.

As the 2026 Winter Olympics kicked into gear, Team USA won for the team program. However, Amber had a difficult short program, ultimately placing her at 13th. But, she came back strong in the free skate and climbed to 5th overall. Her performance demonstrated incredible determination and skill, turning her climb through the rankings into a truly remarkable achievement.

Even without winning a medal, Amber's sportsmanship was unforgettable. She lifted up fellow athletes, shielded younger skaters from media pressure, and showed a genuine kindness and humility that spoke to anyone watching. These acts prove that her care for others is as powerful as her talent on the ice.

Audiences watched interview to interview as she never stopped advocating for what she believed in. Amber acted as a becon of hope to those who saw themselves within her. She consistently uses her platform to shine an important light on mental health, and acts as a living representation of what authenticity truly is.

When she became a part of Team USA, she explained:

“It’s my dream to compete on the biggest stage in the world, and to be able to share my message of being an advocate for mental health, for the queer community, and be able to speak about the things that I’m passionate about.…And of course I want to go there because of my sport—but it’s also because I want to inspire a young generation of athletes.”

Image Credit: Andrew from Wikimedia Commons

Isabeau Levito

The moment Isabeau steps on to the ice, she transcends the audience with her poise, elegance, and grace. Isabeau grew up in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. There, at just three years old, she first learned how to ice skate. Her mother was a huge figure skating fan and had put Isabeau into classes, hoping she would improve her balance.

However, little did her mom know, Isabeau would develop a strong love for figure skating. At the age of 10, she competed in her first highly ranked competition. Known for her strong flexibility, ballet inspired routines, and emotional commitment to every performance given, she developed a reputation as a highly ranked competitor.

In 2023, Isabeau competed in the U.S. Women's Championships at 15 years old. Being in the spotlight at this young age brought with it its complications. Living every moment in the spotlight, Isabeau had to cope with an unreasonable amount of pressure, constant comparison, and harsh criticism.

Over the years, Isabeau continued to compete in various competitions where she continued to make a name for herself. She had to navigate body changes and jump adjustments as a teenager on the senior stage, which is a period where many young skaters struggle with consistency. But even so, she worked hard, and chose patience over panic during these rebuilding phases.

She began to lean more into her artistic and creative abilities on the ice, focusing more on detail and elegance. Isabeau became recognized as more of an “old soul,” with her refinement of technical abilities.

When Isabeau made the U.S. Winter Olympic Figure Skating team for 2026, she spoke about how meaningful it was to represent not just herself, but her family. The 2026 Winter Olympics were held in Milan, Italy, which created a strong personal tie with Isabeau, whose roots trace back to Milan.

Throughout many interviews, audiences watched as Isabeau carried herself with gratitude and strength. Isabeau is thoughtful, soft-spoken, and composed, often answering questions with care and reflection rather than impulse. She has never tried to hide her nerves or disappointment but instead acknowledges them as she works through them.

Her sensitivity, empathy, and emotional awareness create her powerful foundation of artistry, allowing her performances to feel so much more authentic. She consistently explains skating as a process, focusing on the long-term development.

During the Olympics, viewers see how she approaches the games with a healthy mindset. She has explained how she is simply grateful to experience and embrace, rather than use the stage to prove herself. She is skating for herself and taking in every moment instead of giving into the pressure.

In an Olympic interview, Isabeau explained,

"I don’t feel like I have anything to prove. I just want to enjoy the experience.”

Isabeau is a living example that success does not require loudness or intimidation, but thoughtfulness and self-awareness. For many, she demonstrates that emotional depth can exist alongside with competitiveness. She is a reminder that growth is powerful and vulnerability is not weakness, but instead it is a sign of strength.

Image Credit: SpiritedMichelle by Wikimedia Commons

The Trio

Although figure skating is an individual sport, the Blade Angels have built something that feels like family. They are each other's loudest supporters, comfort each other after difficult skates, and show up for one another in the quiet moments no one else sees.

This kind of bond is unbelievably rare in competitive sports because rivalry often overshadows connection. They understand the emotional and mental pressure the sport holds, and they carry it together, showing how strong individual dedication and a deep care for each other can exist at the same time.