At a Glance
- First Black woman to medal at U.S. Figure Skating Championships in 35 years.
- Began skating at age 3½, describing it as coming “out of the womb.”
- Uses her platform to inspire diversity and stay authentic on the ice.
- Why it matters: Her success signals growing inclusion in a sport that has long been dominated by white athletes, offering hope to young skaters of color.
Starr Andrews began skating when she was just three and a half years old, saying she “came out of the womb” skating. The sport has historically been dominated by white athletes, and at age 12 she realized she was the only Black competitor at nationals, feeling lonely and out of place. She turned that realization into a mission to pave the way for future Black figure skaters.
Breaking Ground in a Predominantly White Sport
Starr’s historic medal at the U.S. Championships marks the first time a Black woman has stood on the podium in 35 years. She expressed surprise, saying, “That was crazy when I heard that, I didn’t even know that.” The moment not only celebrates her personal achievement but also underscores the importance of representation in figure skating.
Authenticity and Future Goals
Starr Andrews said:
> “I felt just a little lonely and I feel like I stuck out like a sore thumb,” she shared.
Starr Andrews said:
> “We just need to get the word out there that it is for everybody, because I feel like it’s very intimidating walking into a rink and you’re black and you’re the only black one in there, you’re gonna feel on the outs.”
Starr Andrews said:
> “That was crazy when I heard that, I didn’t even know that.”
Starr Andrews said:
> “It’s a tough world out there and it’s hard to always be yourself knowing that you’re being judged all the time.”
- She aims to add more challenging elements to her routines while staying consistent in training.
- She plans to navigate competition pressures and remain resilient.
Key Takeaways
- Starr Andrews is the first Black woman to medal at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in 35 years.
- She began skating at 3½ years old and views her success as a platform for future athletes of color.
- Her focus on authenticity and hard work sets a legacy for resilience on and off the ice.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by News Of Austin. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by News Of Austin staff before being published.
