Alyssa Liu part of U.S. 'Blade Angels' chasing Olympic figure skating gold
alyssa liu is one of three American skaters aiming for Olympic figure skating gold Tuesday night at the Milan Cortina Games, a trio that has rewritten expectations with age, looks and outspoken personalities.
A new trio on the ice
The group — Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito — has traded the old “ice princess” stereotype for a deliberately varied image. Glenn is 26, Liu is 20 and Levito is 18, and their differences are central to how they present themselves at the Milan Cortina Games.
Alyssa Liu and the Blade Angels
alyssa liu’s arc in the sport is striking on paper: a one-time phenom who retired at 16 and then returned, producing what the coverage describes as the first world title for an American woman in nearly two decades. The 20-year-old’s blond-and-brunette striped hair, prominent frenulum piercing and nonconformist aura have made her a hero to alt, punk and emo fans.
Amber Glenn's late-career surge and off-ice voice
Amber Glenn has been described as a powerhouse and an LGBTQ+ rights activist whose career took off at an age when many skaters contemplate retirement. The three-time and reigning U. S. champion grew up in Plano, Texas; her father, Richard, is a police sergeant and her mother, Cathlene, is a fitness instructor. She has represented the U. S. internationally for nearly 15 years and, after helping the U. S. defend its title in the team event, now carries an Olympic gold medal from her Winter Games debut. Glenn has also spoken openly about an eating disorder, time in a mental health facility and coping with ADHD, and she identifies as pansexual.
Different looks, shared aims
Isabeau Levito brings a contrasting presence: the 18-year-old can present an innocent public image but, off-camera, is known for biting sarcasm and sharp wit. Levito said, “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, ” expressing why the group embraced the name the “Blade Angels” as an homage to Charlie's Angels. The skaters rejected other nicknames such as “Powerpuff Girls” and “Babes of Glory” over concerns like trademark issues.
The three have been framed as the U. S. team’s last chance to salvage a disappointing Olympics for American figure skaters, and they arrive at Tuesday night’s showdown carrying that expectation alongside their distinct personal brands.
They will skate for Olympic figure skating gold Tuesday night at the Milan Cortina Games, where the trio’s contrasting styles — and, for many observers, the question of whether personality can match podium-level performance — will be decided on the ice.
