Figure skating fans tuning into the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy might find themselves doing a double take—not on the ice, but in the commentary booth and even on reality TV. Tara Lipinski, now 43, and Johnny Weir, 41, have become two of the most recognizable voices in the sport, their partnership as commentators as celebrated as their careers on the ice. But this winter, their reach extends far beyond the rink: the duo is starring on season 4 of the hit reality competition "The Traitors," currently airing on Peacock, and their friendship is taking center stage in more ways than one.
Both Lipinski and Weir are no strangers to the Olympic spotlight, though their competitive paths never crossed. Lipinski made history in 1998, clinching the gold medal for women’s single skating at just 15 years old—a feat that, according to People, cemented her as a household name overnight. Weir, meanwhile, competed in the 2006 and 2010 Olympics, placing fifth and sixth, respectively. Despite being separated by nearly a decade in their Olympic debuts, the two would eventually join forces, not as competitors, but as colleagues and, as it turns out, best friends.
Their story as a commentary team began in 2014 at the Sochi Winter Olympics, when both were tapped by NBC to bring their insights and flair to the network’s figure skating coverage. Yet, as Lipinski recalled in a 2022 interview with People, their friendship was hardly a given. “Obviously we knew of each other for so many years, skating’s a small world, but we never really had time to connect or build a friendship or a relationship,” she said. The turning point came as they prepared for their first Olympics together, bonding over something as simple—and fabulous—as handbags. “We started talking and it was just this instantaneous connection and feeling of home.”
Weir echoed that sentiment in a 2014 interview with Today.com, explaining, “I generally don’t trust people—the figure skating world isn’t really filled with the most trustworthy of people, so I’m usually guarded. But it’s very different with Tara.” The two quickly realized their chemistry was too good to keep apart, so much so that they approached NBC themselves to suggest auditioning as a commentary duo. “We were the ones that actually reached out to NBC and said, ‘Maybe you can audition us doing this together,’” Lipinski told People. “I think that experience was really a bonding moment for us because we were new to this together, we had to prove ourselves.”
Since then, Lipinski and Weir have become an inseparable part of every Winter Olympics broadcast, from Sochi in 2014 to PyeongChang in 2018, Beijing in 2022, and now Italy in 2026. Their joint Instagram account, @taraandjohnny, gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at their adventures, both on and off the air, with a bio that reads: “Figure skating legends, turned commentators but more importantly, best friends. Enjoy the ride with us.”
But this year, the pair has taken their partnership to an entirely new arena: reality television. On season 4 of "The Traitors," a murder-mystery game show that blends lies, deception, and strategy, Lipinski and Weir have emerged as unlikely fan favorites. The show, which began airing on Peacock in January 2026, features a cast of reality TV veterans and celebrities competing for a cash prize by eliminating one another through social maneuvering and deduction. It’s a game where, as The New York Times put it, “interpersonal conflict and being backstabby gets you a lot of attention.” Yet, Lipinski and Weir have stood out for their genuine warmth and emotional connection, a stark contrast to the show’s cutthroat atmosphere.
“In a game where interpersonal conflict and being backstabby gets you a lot of attention, moments of empathy and emotion stand out even more,” said Gibson Johns, host of the “Gabbing With Gib” podcast, in an interview with The New York Times. “For that to shine through on ‘The Traitors’ speaks to just them as people and how they’re able to connect with viewers.”
Their onscreen chemistry, it turns out, is no act. Though their competitive skating careers overlapped, their friendship was forged much later, as they prepared for their commentary debut. The pair’s bond has only grown stronger with time, both on television and in real life. Their strategy on "The Traitors," however, required a bit of acting: to avoid being targeted by other contestants, they decided to downplay their close relationship. “I called Johnny, and I was like, ‘This is our plan. We’re going to go in and we’re going to just pretend like we didn’t know each other,’” Lipinski told The New York Times in an interview published February 12, 2026.
Weir described the lengths they went to maintain the ruse, sharing, “We would brush fingers when walking through the hall” of the show’s Scottish castle. Their secret language even extended to gossiping about fellow contestants using figure skating jumps instead of names—a clever nod to their roots and a way to communicate without blowing their cover.
Despite the challenge of keeping their distance, the emotional toll was evident. In a touching moment captured on the show, Lipinski whispered, “J, I miss you so much,” as she sat on Weir’s lap. He responded with a heartfelt, “I love you. I love you.” According to nj.com, this display of affection highlighted the depth of their friendship, even amid the high-stakes competition.
As of February 13, 2026, nine episodes of "The Traitors" season 4 had aired, with both Lipinski and Weir still in the running. Their gameplay might not be the most cunning—by their own admission, their strengths lie elsewhere—but their authenticity has resonated with viewers, earning them a devoted following. “Lipinski and Weir have become fan favorites due to their sweetness and genuine friendship despite questionable gameplay,” noted The New York Times in its February 12 coverage.
New episodes of "The Traitors" premiere Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock, and with each installment, fans are treated to more of the duo’s unique blend of humor, heart, and occasional hijinks. Whether they ultimately walk away with the prize or not, their presence has brought a refreshing dose of empathy to a genre more often defined by betrayal and scheming.
Through it all, Lipinski and Weir have remained true to themselves and each other. Their journey from Olympic competitors to beloved broadcasters and now reality TV stars is a testament to the power of friendship—and a reminder that sometimes, the real victory isn’t a gold medal or a cash prize, but the connections made along the way.