Sabrina Impacciatore leads 2026 Winter Olympics opening spectacles: ‘The White Lotus’ star dazzles with a 6 min dance routine

Sabrina Impacciatore brought her signature flair to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony on February 6 at Milan’s San Siro Stadium. The Italian actress, best known for her Emmy-nominated role as Valentina in ‘The White Lotus’ performed a captivating six-minute dance routine celebrating a century of Winter Olympics history.

Sabrina Impacciatore, born in Rome and a staple in Italy’s entertainment scene, honored her homeland’s heritage and the host cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Dressed in a striking silver-and-gold lamé ensemble, she took the stage after the Parade of Nations with a pre-recorded sketch introducing mascots Tina and Milo. Her performance unfolded as a time-traveling journey through Olympic decades, blending passion, drama, and achievement.




The Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 described her role as “a significant contribution to the success of the Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games,” noting Sabrina Impacciatore would “provide viewers with a moment of profound emotional resonance, embodying the spirit of the Games.” Social media buzzed, with some speculating the intro video was AI-generated before her live appearance.

Star-studded lineup

Sabrina Impacciatore joined an elite roster of performers, including Mariah Carey, Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini, tenor Andrea Bocelli, rapper Ghali, pianist Lang Lang, and opera star Cecilia Bartoli. The ceremony featured dual Olympic cauldrons lit for the first time—one at Milan’s Arco della Pace and another in Cortina d’Ampezzo’s Piazza Italia.

Italian icons Sofia Goggia, Alberto Tomba, and Deborah Compagnoni ignited the flames to close the show. International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry welcomed athletes, saying, “This is your moment. I understand the blend of excitement and nerves you are experiencing. Your entire life of dedication, early mornings, long hours, sacrifices, and setbacks has led to this point.”

Milano Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee President Giovanni Malagò added, “Dear athletes, you come from diverse traditions, cultures, and nations. Yet, you are united by the universal language of sport.”

Sabrina Impacciatore’s rise

Announced in December 2025, Sabrina Impacciatore’s involvement highlighted Italian creativity. Milano Cortina 2026 tweeted, “Sabrina Impacciatore takes the stage at Milano Cortina 2026. An ambassador of Italian talent around the world, Sabrina Impacciatore, will be one of the protagonists of the Opening Ceremony… A talent that will give voice to the contemporary Italian spirit, in a show that brings together sport, culture, and creativity.”

The event drew athletes from over 90 nations amid calls for peace and unity. Events spanned Predazzo, Livigno, and Cortina d’Ampezzo, marking a unique dual-host format. NBC rebroadcasts it at 8 p.m ET.