Taylor Swift cheers as US star strikes gold in Milano Cortina

American alpine skier Breezy Johnson delivered one of the defining moments of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, claiming gold in the women’s downhill before capping her campaign with a celebration that resonated far beyond the slopes. Among those applauding her triumph was global music icon Taylor Swift, who joined fans in marking the unforgettable week.

Johnson, 30, surged to victory in the downhill, becoming only the second American woman to secure Olympic gold in the discipline. The result marked a powerful statement in her comeback journey and instantly positioned her among Team USA’s standout performers in Italy.

From high-speed drama to a fairytale finish

Days after her golden breakthrough, Johnson returned to competition in the super-G final on the challenging Tofane course. While pushing for another podium finish, she lost control and crashed at high speed. Fortunately, she emerged without injury and skied into the finish area — where an even bigger surprise awaited.

Her boyfriend, Connor Watkins, greeted her with a proposal inspired by Taylor Swift’s music. After dropping to one knee, he presented a wooden engraving etched with lyrics from “The Alchemy,” reading:

“Honestly, who are we to fight the alchemy?”

An emotional Breezy Johnson said yes as teammates and supporters erupted in cheers.

Sharing the milestone online, she wrote, “Hey guys… meet Connor! My ex boyfriend! And current fiancé!!! Thank you to everyone who made this moment possible. It was everything I ever dreamed of. Kind of like Connor!”

Taylor Swift’s reaction steals the spotlight

The celebration soon caught Taylor Swift’s attention. Referencing another lyric from the same song, she commented:

“‘Where’s the trophy? He just comes running over to me,’ CONGRATULATIONS!!!”

Breezy Johnson later reflected on the significance of the moment, revealing that an Olympic engagement had long been part of her dreams.

“I just always kind of had the dream of getting engaged at the Olympics … It’s definitely a lot more crazy with everything just happening all at once, and the reality of it is so different than the way you imagined, and so much better,” she told NBC.

With Olympic gold secured and a proposal sealed under the Italian sky, Johnson’s Milano Cortina campaign blended sporting excellence with personal joy — earning applause from teammates, fans, and one of the world’s biggest pop stars.