The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, hosted in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, were filled with hundreds of talented Olympians and many impactful stories. Amongst the many gold medals for Team USA, spectators found someone who shines brighter than her medal – American Gen Z’s newest “it girl” and sudden global role model, Alysa Liu.
Though much of her fame comes from her recent Olympic success, her story does not start there. Her career first started at five years old when she began training. Shortly after, she entered her first national competition at seven years old, viewed as a prodigy within the ice-skating world. By age 13, she was the youngest U.S. figure skating national champion in history and was seen as an athlete to watch, destined to bring the USA to victory.
At just sixteen years old, Liu attended the 2022 Beijing Olympics and won a bronze medal for Team USA. Shortly after, however, she announced her retirement. Her rise to success at such a young age had come with many costs, as she was forced to sacrifice her teenage years for near constant training. Her every move was dictated by her coaches, whether it be how much she ate, what she wore, or what music she performed with. Some coaches even went so far as to recommend she gurgle water instead of drinking it, so as to avoid gaining any water weight. Devastation struck when Liu lost gold, and it seemed Liu would never return to the spotlight.
However, during her retirement, her friends took her on a skiing trip. As she tumbled down the hills and struggled with a sport she was unfamiliar with, she remembered her love for the ice. Shortly after, she announced her return from retirement, skating at rinks on her own terms. No restrictions, no obsessive schedule, and no toxic training. Dozens doubted that she could accomplish anything without spending every second skating, let alone reentering competitions.
Within two years of her return, Liu went on to sweep the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics with two gold medals, one of them the first gold medal to be earned for Team USA in the Women’s Singles Event since 2002. With routines to popular music such as Laufey’s “Promise” and “Stateside” by PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson for her Gala performance, Liu won hearts with young viewers with the fun nature she brought. People unfamiliar with figure skating or winter sports in general were pulled in by her bright smile and relatability. As they looked further into her, they were even more enchanted by the excited and unstressed attitude she brings to her sport.
During her press tours, Liu’s positivity has only grown, but she has reached audiences across the globe. Her come-what-may attitude and love for her sport have quickly encouraged others to rediscover their passions. A trend known as the “Alysa Liu mindset” has begun to spread across social media, where people try their former hobbies once again without fear of failure. Their attempts, smiles, and art are done to an audio of one of her most popular quotes, “I don’t think anything is gonna be hard. Y’know, like what is there to lose? Every second you’re there, you’re gaining something; there’s nothing to be lost.” For creatives and passionate people across the globe, Liu has become a lighthouse in the midst of burnout, reminding people of the joy that should come with one’s love for anything, rather than the stress of being perfect.
Additionally, Liu serves as a role model for fellow young athletes. The world of sports can be demanding, and toxic sports environments can often be normalized. Over the years, dozens of coaches have been revealed as abusive, whether physically, emotionally, or verbally. Every year, it seems as if a new athlete comes forward with a story of how cruel the industry has been to them. Liu, in every interview, encourages her peers to stand their ground and put themselves first. She is an advocate for self-love and boundaries, a stark contrast to some other “it girls” and athletes who may promote constant training or harsh standards. Her mindset is a healthy balance of dedication to her sport and love for all life has to offer.
As the Olympic craze winds down, the effects of Liu can be seen across the globe. From a sudden influx of people interested in her iconic “halo” style hair, her smiley piercing, or her Gala performance song, “Stateside” by PinkPantheress, it is clear her impact will be felt. With it, her positivity and zest for life will follow. With a bit more sparkle in life, perhaps everyone can reach the same level of calm.
While her next steps are a bit unclear after her withdrawal from the World Championships, she is still registered to perform at the Japanese and U.S. tours of Stars on Ice. The tour, in a shock to many Arizonans, is bringing Liu and her ice-skating skills to the desert on May 27th as it comes to Tempe, Arizona’s Mullett Arena. Tickets are currently on-sale for any newfound fans to watch headliner Alysa Liu, Ilia Malanin, Amber Glenn, Isabeau Levito, and other iconic Team USA figure skaters.
Regardless of where she goes after her planned tours, one thing can be sure–she has changed the perspective and hearts of thousands. With her renewed passion, she has encouraged millions to get back into what they love; to pick up their skates, their brushes, and their crafts. In whatever she goes on to accomplish, the valley, and the globe look forward to her next steps with smiles just as bright as hers.
