Teenage Filipina Olympian Tallulah Proulx turns to K-pop to stay grounded

Teenage alpine skier Tallulah Proulx has carved her name into Philippine sports history, becoming the first Filipina—and the youngest Filipino athlete—to qualify for the Winter Olympics. At just 17 years old, Proulx earned qualification in both the giant slalom and slalom events, transforming a lifelong dream into a landmark achievement for a country still building its presence in winter sports.

As she prepares to compete on the sport’s grandest stage, Proulx remains remarkably grounded, crediting her strong support system—and an unexpected source of balance—for helping her navigate the pressure that comes with making history.

“I think it really comes down to the community, my supportive coaches, my family, of course, my teammates and my friends always uplift each other every day,” Proulx shared in a media interaction. “And then also besides that, I think that I also have other interests and other things that keep me grounded.”

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Among those interests is her deep love for K-pop, which the young skier says provides both comfort and joy amid the grind of elite competition. Proulx revealed she is a fan of groups such as Red Velvet, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, BTS, and RIIZE, and even attended a TOMORROW X TOGETHER concert during their U.S. tour.

“I have loved K-pop since I was in the sixth grade or something, but I really love it. And I know Filipinos love it too,” she said. “But I come back home and if I’m having a hard day, I just put on my headphones. I listen to some of my favorite songs.

“Or just also I feel like there’s such a good community with K-pop, like my friends that like K-pop, we always support each other. I think just having another outlet of joy really just helps me in all aspects of life, including in my competitions,” she added.

Winter Olympian Tallulah Proulx looks up to Filipina tennis star Alex Eala and hopes to inspire the next generation.

She believes that with passion and the right support, anything is possible—but how does the youngest and first Filipina Olympian stay motivated on her journey?… pic.twitter.com/x4wWNGtm0d

— Bilyonaryo News Channel (@bncdotph) January 28, 2026

Beyond music, Proulx draws strength from her Filipino roots. A Filipino-American, she has made a conscious effort to stay connected to her heritage—something that played a major role in her decision to represent the Philippines internationally rather than the United States.

“So I actually have a lot of family back in the Philippines. My father’s family is from Eastern Samar in Visayas,” she shared. “And so I have a lot of family back there. And they have been so supportive, especially recently, of course.”

Her choice was also deeply personal, made in honor of her late grandmother.

“Also, I have my Filipina grandma. Actually, she passed away, unfortunately, last spring,” Proulx said. “But I was always, of course, connected with her. And she introduced me to all of the Filipino foods. Of course, lumpia is my favorite, but I love pancit and so many other dishes that she introduced to me,” she concluded.

Proulx’s journey into alpine skiing began almost as early as she could walk. She first tried the sport at just three years old during a family vacation in Tahoe, California. What started as a childhood experience quickly turned into a passion, and by the age of seven, she was already competing in races.

Her steady rise was fueled by years of international exposure and competition, including a strong showing at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, where she finished 16th out of 44 competitors. That event proved pivotal, serving as both a confidence booster and a stepping stone toward Olympic qualification.

Now, with Proulx and fellow Filipino athlete Francis Ceccarelli set to compete in the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics, the Philippines is entering a new chapter in its sporting narrative—one that stretches beyond traditional arenas and into the snow-covered mountains of Europe.

Their qualification represents more than individual success. It is a breakthrough moment for Philippine sports, a signal that Filipino athletes can excel even in disciplines long considered outside the country’s athletic identity. For a new generation of hopefuls, Tallulah Proulx’s journey stands as proof that with passion, support, and belief, even the most unlikely dreams can become reality on the world stage.

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