When Alysa Liu stepped onto the ice at the 2026 Winter Olympics, she didn’t just win – she became the defining face of the games. Her gold medal in women’s singles ended a 24-year Olympic drought for U.S. women’s figure skating and made her one of Milan’s most talked-about athletes. Beyond her technical precision, Liu’s bold style turned her into a cultural phenomenon. Here are five things to know about the skater who took the spotlight in Milan
She started skating at five
Born on August 8, 2005, in California, Liu grew up as the oldest of five siblings. She first stepped onto the ice at age five after her father, Arthur Liu – a longtime Michelle Kwan fan – brought her to a local rink. It began casually, but it didn’t stay that way for long. Within a few years, casual rink visits turned into structured training. By age seven, she was already competing nationally and her path began to take shape early.
She’s the youngest U.S. women’s national champion
In 2019, at just 13 years old, Liu won the U.S. women’s national title, becoming the youngest champion since 1927. The headline was historic, but the performance spoke louder. Her programs were packed with high-difficulty jump content, and she delivered when it mattered. Almost overnight, she became the focal point of American women’s skating, signaling the arrival of a technically ambitious generation.
She made U.S. jump history
That same breakout year, Liu pushed the technical ceiling higher. At a Junior Grand Prix event in Lake Placid, she became the first American woman to land a quadruple lutz in international competition. Earlier in 2018, she had also landed triple axels on the junior international circuit, placing herself among the few U.S. women attempting ultra-difficult elements at the time. As women’s skating entered a more jump-driven era, Liu made it clear that American skaters could compete at that level.
She retired at 16 – then found her way back
After finishing seventh at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Liu surprised the skating world by announcing her retirement at just 16, saying she felt satisfied with what she had accomplished. In a sport built on constant pursuit, that clarity stood out. Time away gave her space to step back from pressure and reconnect with the joy of skating. She eventually returned to competition in 2024, and fortunately, that comeback gave us the chance to watch her shine again on the Olympic stage in 2026.
Her style feels entirely her own
Liu’s alternative aesthetic has become one of her defining signatures. Her striped blonde hair carries personal meaning, with each band resembling the rings of a tree and marking a different year of her life. She adds new stripes over time, creating a visual timeline. Her frenulum piercing also drew attention, especially in a sport known for polished uniformity, and she later shared that she pierced it herself with her sister’s help. In figure skating, individuality does not always take centre stage, but with Liu, it does.
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