Mikaela Shiffrin celebrated winning two gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics with an Instagram post on Friday that included lyrics from Taylor Swift’s song Ruin the Friendship. The alpine skier revealed that the pop superstar’s music played a meaningful role in her mindset during the competition.
In interviews the following day, Shiffrin shared that she had been listening closely to Swift’s album The Life of a Showgirl throughout the season, drawing motivation from its themes.
“When I started out this season listening to the album,” Shiffrin said. “I kept putting on ‘Ruin the Friendship,’ ‘cause I’m like, ‘This is what I want to feel what I’m in the start gate. I want to go. I just want to leave it all behind and ruin the friendship.'”
“It’s about taking risks, kind of, in my life. That’s how I sort of translate it to my life, and that’s not always the easiest thing to do. But yeah, it really felt like the right moment.”
Behind the Photo and Connection with Taylor Swift
Shiffrin explained the choice of a particular photo from one of her slalom races on Instagram, describing it as probably the best image capturing her in action at the Olympics.
“Probably the best photo I’ve ever had of a slalom turn,” Shiffrin said. “(It’s) the best action shot. And it just felt like this was the mentality that spoke to that photo, so yeah. It felt right. And I got a comment (from) the author herself. Just crazy.”
Breezy Johnson Invites Taylor Swift to Upcoming Wedding
On February 11, alpine skier Breezy Johnson announced her engagement to Connor Watkins. Although the couple has not disclosed details about their wedding plans, Johnson has already extended an invitation to Taylor Swift, who is engaged to NFL star Travis Kelce.
“I mean, listen, Taylor can probably go to any wedding in the U.S., and everybody would welcome her with open arms,” Johnson said on Tuesday, via People. “She is, of course, welcome to join. I do not expect her to have any time to do that.”
Swift’s Public Support and Connections Within the Sports World
Before Breezy Johnson’s invitation, Taylor Swift publicly celebrated Mikaela Shiffrin’s gold medal victory with a simple, heartfelt reaction. Swift’s close ties to prominent athletes such as Travis Kelce and her influence on competitors like Shiffrin highlight the intersection of pop culture and sports during this Olympic season.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics conclude, Shiffrin’s open admiration of Swift’s music demonstrates how athletes find strength beyond their sport, while the ongoing connections between Swift, Kelce, and athletes like Johnson underscore a growing blend of entertainment and athleticism that continues to captivate fans across the U.S.
