U.S. Women [#8]: Meet Me in St. Louis

[Rukia]

4 years ago there were so many people who would have sworn Amber would never get it together and now she's going to the Olympics and I think that's very cool

 

[Karen-W]

4 years ago there were so many people who would have sworn Amber would never get it together and now she's going to the Olympics and I think that's very cool

I was one of them. I'm glad to have been wrong on that one.

 

[A.H.Black]

When someone is described as super-competitive (like Sarah last night) I assume that’s code for the “I’m not here to make friends” behavior you see in reality shows.

I thought that too, but then there was a backstage shot of Amber helping Sarah with her dress (the hooks on the neck, I think). I thought Sarah must feel comfortable enough with Amber, at least to have her help her, and probably to ask her for help. I think she's probably quite introverted.

 

[Karen-W]

Press Release announcing the Olympic team and alternates -

U.S. Figure Skating Nominates 16 Athletes to 2026 U.S. Olympic Team - U.S. Figure Skating

U.S. Figure Skating today announced the 16 skaters nominated to the U.S. Olympic Team for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

usfigureskating.org

Women - Amber Glenn, Isabeau Levito, Alysa Liu
1st Alternate - Bradie Tennell, 2nd Alternate - Sarah Everhardt, 3rd Alternate - Starr Andrews

Worlds
Women - Amber Glenn, Isabeau Levito, Alysa Liu
1st Alternate - Bradie Tennell, 2nd Alternate - Sarah Everhardt, 3rd Alternate - Starr Andrews

4CCs
Women - Starr Andrews, Sarah Everhardt, Bradie Tennell
1st Alt - Elyce Lin-Gracey, 2nd Alt - Josephine Lee, 3rd Alt - Katie Shen

Jr Worlds
Women - Angela Shao, Sophie Joline von Felten
1st Alt - Annika Chao, 2nd Alt - Sherry Zhang, 3rd Alt - Emilia Nemirovsky

I think about the only surprising thing here is that Alina Bonillo was passed over for the 4CCs 3rd Alternate in favor of Katie Shen.

 

[Vagabond]

Amber Glenn has become the doyenne of U.S. figure skaters. They clearly look up to her, even when they are trying to beat her.

 

[Allskate]

This video of itty bitty Isabeau talking about the Olympics is hilarious and adorable:

usfigureskating | Original audio on Instagram

Listen to usfigureskating on Instagram and watch reels with original audio

www.instagram.com

She's got a deal with Everlane, a clothing company. This promotional piece she did for them also has some video of her when she was little:

EVERLANE on Instagram: "Isabeau Levito represents the next generation of U.S. figure skating. We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of her process, drawing inspiration for her choreography from ballet."

5,085 likes, 37 comments - everlane on January 8, 2026: "Isabeau Levito represents the next generation of U.S. figure skating. We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of her process, drawing inspiration for her choreography from ballet.".

www.instagram.com

She might sow some divisiveness with this other Everlane video, though. She is re-reading "Where the Crawdads Sing." She managed to cross-promote Red Bull at the same time.

EVERLANE on Instagram: "We’re ready for a trinket tour when you are @isabeau.levito"

5,798 likes, 60 comments - everlane on January 10, 2026: "We’re ready for a trinket tour when you are @isabeau.levito".

www.instagram.com

 

[Allskate]

Here are videos of Alysa, Isabeau, and Amber officially being told that they made the Olympic team:
Amber:

U.S. Figure Skating on Instagram: "OLYMPIAN AMBER GLENN, Y’ALL! ✨🇺🇸 #WinterOlympics"

4,621 likes, 52 comments - usfigureskating on January 11, 2026: "OLYMPIAN AMBER GLENN, Y’ALL! ✨🇺🇸 #WinterOlympics".

www.instagram.com

Isabeau:

U.S. Figure Skating on Instagram: "Welcome to the Olympic team, @isabeau.levito!! 🇺🇸✨ #WinterOlympics"

4,089 likes, 32 comments - usfigureskating on January 11, 2026: "Welcome to the Olympic team, @isabeau.levito!! 🇺🇸✨ #WinterOlympics".

www.instagram.com

Alysa:

U.S. Figure Skating on Instagram: "WELCOME BACK QUEEN @alysaxliu 👑🇺🇸 #WinterOlympics"

5,733 likes, 36 comments - usfigureskating on January 11, 2026: "WELCOME BACK QUEEN @alysaxliu 👑🇺🇸 #WinterOlympics".

www.instagram.com

 

[skatfan]

MacArthur Park for Milan!

https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/alysa-liu-says-lady-gaga-free-skate-unlikely-for-milano-cortina-2026

 

[BaileyCatts]

......

Now I'm gonna say it: US Sweep in Milan!!!

Your thoughts...

Kaori says hold my beer.

 

[tangerine dream]

Kaori says hold my beer.

Seriously.

I don't imagine anyone thinks a US sweep is likely, but seeing as all three women are medal contenders the idea is bound to pop up somewhere. It is not an impossibility, but it would require multiple significant mistakes by Kaori (and likely others), and I hope no one is wishing for that to happen, although I'm sure Kaori would be as gracious and lovely as ever if it did.

 

[BaileyCatts]

MacArthur Park for Milan!

https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/alysa-liu-says-lady-gaga-free-skate-unlikely-for-milano-cortina-2026

Thank gawd! I think it might have potential if she works on it for next season though. It needs a lot more ...... more. That dress is stunning though.

 

[Allskate]

MacArthur Park for Milan!

And a new dress. Metallic with a fresh twist. I wonder if it will be inspired by her new hair.

ETA: Alysa is so much fun. In the press conference today, her response to a question about the team event was that Amber should do the men's SP and Alysa and Isabeau should do both pairs segments. Fun way to dodge a thorny issue.

 

[BaileyCatts]

Seriously.

I don't imagine anyone thinks a US sweep is likely, but seeing as all three women are medal contenders the idea is bound to pop up somewhere. It is not an impossibility, but it would require multiple significant mistakes by Kaori (and likely others), and I hope no one is wishing for that to happen, although I'm sure Kaori would be as gracious and lovely as ever if it did.

True dat. I think there will only be 1 US woman on the podium and her name is Alysa.

 

[tangerine dream]

And a new dress. Metallic with a fresh twist. I wonder if it will be inspired by her new hair.

I like the new Gaga platinum dress and think it would go well with her disco Donna Summer program.

 

[Allskate]

I like the new Gaga platinum dress and think it would go well with her disco Donna Summer program.

Maybe she can do the GaGa program with that dress as an exhibition?

I wonder what Alysa means when she says that the new dress will have a "fresh twist." Alysa does like to keep us on our toes.

 

[tony]

Since she said out loud, was told that she was planning Gaga for the team event and then Donna Summer for the individual event. It’s still worded kinda interesting that makes me think she could do that.

Unless she’s not getting the team event and/or the free skate now. Malinin doesn’t want both segments so there’s one, and I really can’t see Chock and Bates doing both now with that even worse schedule. So does Amber get the assignment?

 

[BaileyCatts]

Since she said out loud, was told that she was planning Gaga for the team event and then Donna Summer for the individual event. It’s still worded kinda interesting that makes me think she could do that.

Unless she’s not getting the team event and/or the free skate now. Malinin doesn’t want both segments so there’s one, and I really can’t see Chock and Bates doing both now with that even worse schedule. So does Amber get the assignment?

No. Just no.