Who Are the ‘Blade Angels’? Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito Lead Team USA in Milan
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In an era when elite sports rivalries often dominate headlines, three American figure skaters are rewriting the script. Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito — collectively known as the “Blade Angels” — aren’t just representing Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. They’re doing it as best friends, supporting one another every step of the way as they each chase individual gold medals on the world’s biggest stage.
The trio will compete in the women’s short program on Tuesday, Feb. 17, with the final taking place Thursday, Feb. 19. These will be the last figure skating medals awarded at the 2026 Games, and all three skaters are realistic contenders for the Olympic podium.
How the Blade Angels Got Their Name
The story behind the team’s now-famous nickname is as fun and lighthearted as the friendship itself.
When the three skaters were selected for the Olympic team in January, they set about coming up with a team name. Liu kicked off the brainstorming session by suggesting “Blades of Glory,” inspired by the 2007 figure skating comedy film starring Will Ferrell and Jon Heder, which she had just watched.
That suggestion evolved into “Babes of Glory,” but the group had copyright fears. Levito then pitched “Powerpuff Girls,” a nod to the animated show, but there were issues with that option, too. Finally, it was Liu who landed on the winning idea — “Blade Angels” — a creative mashup of “Blades of Glory” and “Charlie’s Angels.”
“I came up with a ton of like different ideas,” Liu said in Milan, per USA TODAY. “‘Blade Angels’ was my idea. There was a vote and everybody liked it.”
The name has since taken on a life of its own, becoming a rallying point for fans and a symbol of the camaraderie that sets this generation of U.S. figure skaters apart.
A Friendship That Defies Convention
What makes the Blade Angels so compelling isn’t just their talent — it’s their genuine bond. In a sport historically defined by fierce rivalries and intense behind-the-scenes competition, three athletes who could be battling each other for the same prize have instead chosen friendship.
“Something that [Liu has] been saying throughout all the press conferences and stuff is… ‘Why is it so shocking that we’re being friendly, that we’re friends?’ They obviously are much younger than I am,” said Glenn, who is 26, per NPR. “So they don’t know what the atmosphere might have been like before. Not that it was all bad, but there was definitely some intensity.”
Liu is 20 and Levito is 18, making the trio a blend of experience and youth unified by mutual respect and friendship.
Three-time national champion and 2014 Olympic medalist Ashley Wagner put their collective talent into perspective.
“This is the first time in, I would say, about four Olympic cycles that we have three women who could realistically end up on the Olympic podium,” Wagner told NPR in January.
That assessment speaks volumes about just how special this moment is for American figure skating — and for the fans watching at home.
The Credentials to Back It Up
Each member of the Blade Angels brings an impressive résumé to Milan. Here is a look at the accomplishments each skater carries into these Games:
Amber Glenn: 2026 Winter Olympics team event gold medalist; 2024, 2025 and 2026 U.S. champion; 2024 Grand Prix Final champion; 2024 and 2025 Cup of China champion. Alysa Liu: 2026 Winter Olympics team event gold medalist; 2025 world champion; 2025 Grand Prix Final champion; 2025 Skate America champion; 2019, 2020 U.S. champion. Isabeau Levito: 2023 U.S. champion; 2023 Grand Prix of France champion.
Glenn and Liu have already tasted gold in Milan, having contributed to the U.S.’ win in the team event.
Amber Glenn: Champion, Advocate, Trailblazer
At 26, Glenn is the veteran of the group and the three-time reigning U.S. champion — the first woman to hold that title since Michelle Kwan.
But Glenn’s story extends far beyond the ice. She is an outspoken mental health and LGBTQ+ advocate who has been open about her struggles with an eating disorder, anxiety and depression, including the break she took from skating about a decade ago to navigate a mental health crisis.
“I’ve been very outspoken about the ups and downs that I’ve had in my career because I want people to know that that’s OK,” Glenn said last month, per NPR.
Glenn is also the first openly queer U.S. women’s champion. Her willingness to share her personal journey has resonated with fans far beyond the figure skating world, making her one of the most followed and admired athletes at these Games.
Alysa Liu: The Comeback Kid
Liu’s journey to the 2026 Olympics is one of the most remarkable stories in recent figure skating history.
She first burst onto the scene at age 12 in 2018, becoming the youngest skater to land a triple Axel in international competition. The following year, she became the youngest-ever U.S. women’s champion. Her talent was undeniable, and she made her Olympic debut in Beijing in 2022.
Then, at just 16 years old, Liu abruptly retired from the sport, burnt out from years of nonstop training. She stepped away to do normal teenage things, including getting her license and travel.
But the ice called her back. Liu decided to return to the sport on her own terms, and her comeback has been nothing short of spectacular. She hit a full-force comeback when she won the 2025 World Championships, becoming the first American woman to do so since Kimmie Meissner in 2006.
“Quitting was definitely still to this day, like one of my best decisions ever,” Liu said in October. “And coming back was also a really good decision.”
Liu’s story — of stepping away when the pressure became too much and returning stronger than ever — has struck a chord with audiences who understand the importance of balance, rest and self-care, even at the highest levels of athletic competition.
Isabeau Levito: The Youngest Blade Angel
At 18, Levito is the youngest member of the Blade Angels, but she carries herself with a poise and maturity that belies her age. She is known for her grace on the ice — earning her the nickname “Tinkerbeau” from some fans — and her sense of humor off of it.
Levito, a New Jersey native whose mom hails from Milan, has quickly become a fan favorite at these Games. She went viral just this week for her enthusiastic response to an interviewer’s question about how much fun she’s been having in the Olympic Village: “You can’t evict me.”
The quip captured the personality that has endeared Levito to audiences — a skater who takes her craft seriously while never losing sight of the joy that makes competition worthwhile.
A Celebrity Stamp of Approval
The Blade Angels have captured attention well beyond the skating community. On Monday, Feb. 16, the U.S. Figure Skating Olympic team posted an Instagram video announcing the Blade Angels, with Taylor Swift introducing the three Olympians. The pop superstar’s involvement added another layer of buzz to a trio that was already generating significant excitement heading into their individual events.
All eyes will be on the ice as the women’s short program begins Tuesday, Feb. 17. Then comes the free skate on Thursday, Feb. 19, where the final medals will be decided. These will be the last figure skating medals awarded at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
With three American women who each have a realistic shot at the Olympic podium, the stakes could not be higher. Yet the Blade Angels have made clear that their friendship isn’t just a sideshow to their competition — it’s a central part of who they are and how they’ve chosen to experience these Games.
Whether one, two or all three of them end up on the podium, the Blade Angels have already given fans something to celebrate: a reminder that greatness and genuine friendship can coexist, even under the brightest spotlight in sports.
