Who is Alex Shibutani? Discover the Skater Behind the Viral Rant About His Sister
The Olympic ice dancer Alex Shibutani faced significant backlash in October 2025 when a video of his heated outburst aimed at his sister and partner Maia gained widespread attention online.
The duo, who have skated together for over 20 years, have made their mark both nationally and internationally, claiming various championships along the way. In the 11-minute long video, Alex is seen lashing out at Maia, using derogatory language and referring to her as an “idiot” during their practice session on the ice.
In November, Alex issued an apology through the Associated Press, stating, “I feel terrible about it.”
“I expressed my apologies to Maia immediately after our practice. We understand the intense pressure of our goals and the expectations we have, but my reaction was unacceptable. I’m dedicated to improving as a teammate,” he remarked at that time.
Continue reading to discover more about Alex Shibutani.
Alex Shibutani: A Two-Time Olympic Medalist
At the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Alex and Maia brought home two bronze medals. They contributed to Team USA’s third-place finish in the team figure skating event and surpassed fellow Americans Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue to secure third place in ice dancing.
The pair decided to pause their competitive skating later that year, which extended into 2019 following Maia’s kidney cancer diagnosis. After her surgery and recovery, they made a triumphant return in 2025.
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He Is Also a Seasoned Photographer
For Alex, photography is more than a mere pastime; he has worked professionally as a photographer, capturing events like the Emmy Awards and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I believe photography shares many parallels with skating,” he mentioned in a 2021 interview with Leica Camera. “Both require a balance of technique and artistry, and the significance of living in the moment can be crucial in both fields.”
Alex and Maia’s Competitive Journey Begins Early
The siblings, who are affectionately called the ShibShibs, started their competitive journey together when Alex was just 12 and Maia was nine. Alex’s skating career began at the age of seven with singles competitions at the juvenile level before he partnered with Maia.
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Maia addressed the viral video controversy in November 2025, commenting to the AP, “We choose each other every time.”
“In our pursuit of excellence, intense moments are inevitable,” she added. “We have a mutual understanding of the journey and navigate through it together as siblings do.”
Historic Achievements for Alex and Maia at the 2018 Olympics
Alex and Maia achieved remarkable milestones at the 2018 Olympics, making them history-makers. They were the first ice dancers of Asian descent to earn medals at the Olympics, as well as the first siblings from the U.S. to accomplish this in ice dance.
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Co-Authors of Four Children’s Books
Alex and Maia have co-written four children’s books to boost AAPI representation in literature. As enthusiastic readers in their youth, both Alex and Maia found it challenging to discover books featuring characters that resembled them.
“Growing up, our search for a middle-grade book with contemporary Asian-American protagonists was fruitless,” Alex shared in a 2021 interview with FanZone. “We aspired to create an exciting mystery adventure filled with joy and positivity that we would have loved as kids.”
