Meet Isabeau Levito: The Rising Star of Team USA Figure Skating
The figure skater Isabeau Levito is set to make her Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Games taking place in Milan and Cortina, Italy.
This 18-year-old former U.S. National Champion is part of Team USA’s trio known as the “Blade Angels,” and she is determined to win gold following the U.S. team’s disappointing performance in the women’s singles at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where Russia’s Anna Shcherbakova and Alexandra Trusova took home gold and silver, while Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto secured bronze.
“I’ve been skating for as long as I can remember,” she shared with Bustle in February 2026. “It’s an intrinsic part of who I am.”
She reflected on her journey, stating, “When I was 10, I finally landed my double axel. Many skaters get discouraged and stop trying, but that moment gave me confidence. I thought, ‘Wow, I might really achieve something with this.’”
Levito embraces a passion for classic Hollywood elegance, having themed some of her performances after legendary stars like Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren.
Continue reading for more insights into Levito’s background and what she has in store for the 2026 Winter Games.
Isabeau Levito Started Skating at Age 3
Enrolled in skating classes at just 3 years old by her mother, Chiara Garberi Levito, Isabeau quickly found her talent.
She rose to prominence at the junior level, clinching the 2022 World Junior Championship in Tallinn, Estonia, and later securing her first U.S. Figure Skating Championship in San Jose, California, in January 2023.
She followed this success with a silver medal at the 2024 World Championships and has become a five-time ISU Challenger Series medalist.
Isabeau shared, “When I was younger, I was known for keeping my nerves in check. I wouldn’t just go on stage and be relaxed, but I always performed well when it counted,” she revealed to Olympics.com in 2025. “At some point, that changed.”
She continued, “It shifted from performing my routine as I do daily to worrying about disappointing people. I began to obsess over whether I’d lose my place, not just in competition but in others’ minds. That mindset can really weigh you down.”
Isabeau credited her 2025 “Stars On Ice” tour for reinvigorating her passion for the sport.
Isabeau Levito’s Idol Is a Russian Figure Skating Icon
Isabeau often cites two-time Olympic silver medalist, Evgenia Medvedeva, as her first inspiration in figure skating.
“I was about ten when I first saw her perform on my mother’s phone at the skating rink,” Isabeau recalled in a 2022 interview with FS Gossip.
She was particularly captivated by Medvedeva’s ability to convey emotions through her skating. “Some athletes truly embody the music they perform to. With Medvedeva, I felt every note,” she said. “Her artistry was something I aspired to emulate.”
Isabeau Levito Is Inspired By Hollywood Glamour
Drawing inspiration from classic Hollywood, Isabeau has incorporated this elegance into her routines. One of her crowning achievements was a tribute performance to Breakfast at Tiffany’s, where she skated to “Moon River” while dressed in a costume reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn’s iconic outfit.
“I love immersing myself in characters,” Isabeau told Olympics.com in October 2025. “Skating allows me to step into a role and perform without it defining who I am.”
She added, “For my Sophia Loren short program, I embody her, not Isabeau. When I skate to Breakfast at Tiffany’s, it’s Audrey Hepburn, not me. It’s a way to explore different personas while having fun.”
For the Winter Games performances in Milan and Cortina, Isabeau is introducing a fresh take, paying homage to the legendary screen icon Loren with her short program set to “Zoo Be Zoo Be Zoo.” Her free skate will feature music from the beloved 1988 film Cinema Paradiso.
“Many fans advised me to retain Breakfast at Tiffany’s as my short program this year, especially during tour meet-and-greets,” Isabeau explained. “However, I felt it was important to create something new for the Olympics rather than simply recycle old performances.”
Isabeau Levito’s Fans Call Her ‘Tinkerbeau’
With a devoted following on social media, fans have affectionately dubbed Isabeau “Tinkerbeau” for her striking resemblance to Tinkerbell from Peter Pan.
“On Twitter, everyone refers to me as Tinkerbeau, which I think is adorable,” she shared with Olympics.com in 2025.
She smiled, “I love being called Tinkerbeau because I see the resemblance to Tinkerbell, and it makes me feel cute.”
Isabeau Levito Has Another Passion Besides Figure Skating
When off the ice, you’ll likely find Isabeau enjoying a good book. A profile in September 2023 by U.S. Figure Skating highlighted her love for works like All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
“Reading allows you to experience countless lives,” Isabeau expressed. “For me, it’s like a guide, offering valuable lessons.”
She mentioned her bookshelves are filled with various genres, predominantly authored by women. “Maybe that says something about me… or maybe it doesn’t,” she joked. “I have very few books by male authors.”
Isabeau Levito Is One of the ‘Blade Angels’
As a part of Team USA’s “Blade Angels”, alongside Amber Glenn and Alysa Liu, Isabeau heads to the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton has highlighted Isabeau as a talent to watch at the Winter Games.
“She’s just 18 years old and a first-time Olympian from Mount Holly, New Jersey,” Hamilton remarked to his Instagram followers in February 2026.
Hamilton described Isabeau as a “stunningly beautiful, artistic skater” whose “artistic quality” sets her apart from her Olympic peers.
“I would gladly pay to watch her skate,” Hamilton stated. “She’s someone to keep an eye on during these Winter Olympic Games as her performances are truly unforgettable.”
