Photo by David Krieger

To the millions who watched this year's Winter Olympics in Torino, you know that ice dancing silver medalist Tanith Belbin is a goddess of the ice. But before she wowed the audience with her athletic ability and dramatic flair, she was embroiled in a personal drama. Belbin, a native Canadian competing and living in the United States since she was 15, was not a U.S. citizen—which made her ineligible to compete on the U.S. Olympic team. But just days before the team was selected, a bill signed by President Bush sped up the immigration process for “aliens of exceptional merit," paving the way for Tanith to be sworn in as a U.S. citizen. 21-year-old Belbin and her American partner, Ben Agosto, made the team and went on to win the first U.S. ice dancing Olympic medal in 30 years. While touring with Champions on Ice, Belbin took time out to speak with Savvy Miss about her career and what lies ahead for her.

SM: How did the lengthy immigration process make you feel?
Belbin: It was definitely a test of patience but it was a process I had a great deal of respect for. And the end result was something I wanted: To become [an American] citizen regardless of the Olympics games. So, I was willing to wait it out and take each step as it came and not feel frustrated because clearly there are rules for a reason.

SM: How did you cope with the uncertainty of whether you would be able to compete in this year’s Winter Olympics?
Belbin: I tried to take things step-by-step and focus on skating and it was more or less out of our control anyhow. Of course, as it came nearer to the Olympic deadline [for the 2006 games in Torino] it became somewhat apparent that there was a possibility [that I would be able to compete as an American], it was much tougher to focus on skating. Before that, we [were] kind of resigned to the fact that we would not be attending the Olympics.