Alysa Liu isn’t just another figure skater; she’s a whirlwind of talent, style, and unapologetic personality who lit up the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy. At just 19 years old (born in 2007, as we’d learn from her journey), she soared to charm audiences worldwide, clinching two gold medals—one in the team event alongside Amber Glenn, Ilia Malinin, Ellie Kam, Daniel O’Shea, Madison Chock, and Evan Bates, and another in the women’s singles. Her performances weren’t just about jumps and spins; they were electric, blending grace with raw energy that made her a standout. But beyond the ice, Alysa became a cultural icon as one-third of Team USA Figure Skating’s “Blade Angels,” sharing the spotlight with Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito. Her trademark? That striking striped hair, inspired by the inside of a tree trunk, and a frenulum piercing she did herself with her sister’s help. It’s no wonder she’s been dubbed a style maven of the Olympics—think bold, rebellious, and totally unique. Growing up in California, Alysa started skating at seven, channeling her family’s supportive vibe and Chinese-American roots into something extraordinary. Her story is one of early promise turning into global stardom, but with a twist of vulnerability: balancing intense training with a media frenzy that could overwhelm anyone. By 2026, she’s not just a medalist; she’s a pop culture force, gracing interviews with her honest charm. As she shared with Cosmopolitan in January 2026, dating isn’t on her radar right now. She’s pouring her energy into friendships, family, and that gleaming Olympic gold, proving that some dreams require putting others on hold.
That said, Alysa isn’t shy about her singledom; in fact, she’s embracing it fully. During that candid Cosmopolitan chat, she opened up about her current status: happily single and laser-focused on Team USA’s goals. “Oh my god, this is, like, the first time I’ve talked about [dating],” she admitted, her voice carrying that mix of surprise and relief. At her level, where every second of training could mean the difference between victory and defeat, romance feels like a luxury she can’t afford. Instead, she’s surrounded by an incredible support network—friends who’ve been her cheerleaders through the grind, and family who ground her. “I have so much love in my life already, and I have so many amazing people,” she reflected, her words highlighting a deep self-awareness. Alysa’s standards are high, not just because she’s picky, but because she genuinely loves who she is—independent, driven, and unapologetically herself. This phase of life, post-Olympics high, is about savoring that gold without distractions. It’s humanizing to see someone this accomplished still figuring out balance; at 19, with world records and viral moments under her belt, she’s choosing authenticity over trends. No wild stories of secret crushes or insider dates—just a young woman prioritizing her passions, making her relatable to anyone juggling career and personal life.
Yet, Alysa hasn’t closed the door on love entirely; she’s optimistic about the right person fitting into her whirlwind. Chatting with Cosmopolitan, she envisioned a future where dating might work, but only with someone who can match her high-energy lifestyle. “My schedule, especially since starting to skate again, is pretty hectic,” she pointed out, painting a picture of globe-trotting competitions, early-morning trainings, and unpredictable travel. Sacrifices would be mutual—late-night calls, missed holidays, adjusting for her jet-setting world. “It’s just not worth it at this point to build something. I think when it comes, it will,” she mused, her tone hopeful but realistic. Alysa loves being single; it’s freeing, allowing her to dive into friendships without the added pressure. “I really do see myself being single for a long time,” she added, emphasizing that her social circle provides all the connection she needs right now. This isn’t cynicism—it’s self-preservation from a kid who’s already dealt with burnout. By age 16 in 2022, she stepped away from skating briefly, a hiatus that reshaped her perspectives. Returning to the ice has made her appreciate life’s rhythms more, and she’s okay waiting for love that complements rather than competes with her drive. It’s touching, really; Alysa’s not some starry-eyed dreamer but a pragmatic athlete who values real, enduring bonds.
When Alysa hung up her skates for two years starting in 2022, she discovered a whole new side of herself, proving that breaks can be as defining as breakthroughs. “I just had so much free time,” she told In The Loop in 2024, her eyes lighting up at the memories. Imagine going from skating six hours a day to suddenly having evenings free for concerts, new music discoveries, and even a wardrobe overhaul—since before, her clothes were limited to cozy sweats for the rink. It was liberating; Alysa dived into school with renewed focus, took vacations to ski or try other sports, and spent endless hours with friends and family. Summers were a revelation: no relentless training, just beach days, movie marathons, and experimenting with hobbies like cooking new foods or wandering without a routine. “I took a lot of advantage over summertime because everyone is free,” she acknowledged, contrasting it with the grind of pre-competition prep. This time off wasn’t idle; it was exploratory, helping her reconnect with passions beyond the ice. Fashion sparked up, as did a love for music and dance elements she’d missed. Alysa’s story during this phase feels almost like a coming-of-age tale— a young prodigy reclaiming her youth, building confidence away from the spotlight. It humanizes her triumphs, showing that even medal winners need downtime to bloom.
Ultimately, though, skating called her back in early 2024, weaving together all her rediscovered interests into one intoxicating package. Alysa missed the physical strength it demanded (“I used to never care about programs, what you skated to, your dresses, stuff like that. Now, I love skating dresses and helping with the design process,” she confessed to Cosmopolitan), the willpower it instilled, and how it blended dance, music, fashion, and challenge. After two years of sampling life’s buffet, she realized skating wasn’t just a sport; it was her creative outlet, the thing that tied her eclectic passions into a narrative. “This sport is kind of an outlet for me. I love dance and music, so it’s everything in one,” she explained, her voice filled with gratitude. Returning wasn’t easy—stepping back into the discipline meant reconciling with that old intensity—but it paid off spectacularly with Olympic glory. Alysa’s break taught her balance, making her a wiser, more expressive skater who designs her own look. She’s not just performing; she’s curating an art form that reflects her soul, from edgy hairstyles to personal growth. It’s inspiring how she turned potential burnout into brilliance, proving that stepping away can sharpen your return.
Alysa’s bold style choices have become as iconic as her jumps, adding layers to her public persona and sparking admiration for her fearlessness. Take that striped hair: started three years ago as a “bleached halo” and evolved annually, with stripes added each winter to mimic a tree trunk. “I just wanted to be a tree,” she laughed during a February 2026 interview with Paralympian Haven Shepherd, embodying that whimsical, nature-inspired vibe. It’s not just about looks; it’s Alysa asserting her identity amid a sport with strict norms. Upon her return to skating, she negotiated fiercely with coaches for creative control. “No one tells me what I’m gonna wear. No one tells me how my hair is gonna be,” she declared to Cosmopolitan, laying down the law. If judges or officials pushed for changes, she’d quit—her words, not empty threats. “If they don’t like it and they want to give me less scores or treat me differently, that’s on them. If I change my hair, it’s gonna be because I wanted to.” Then there’s her frenulum piercing, that daring dot connecting her upper lip to her gums, done DIY over two years ago. In a January 2026 TMJ4 News interview, she gleefully recounted the amateur ordeal: her sister holding her lip while she mirrored the needle through. “Yeah, I just put it through,” she said proudly, a story revealing her adventurous spirit and tolerance for self-expression. These elements aren’t gimmicks; they’re extensions of Alysa’s journey—exploring risk, embracing quirks, and refusing to conform. In a world of athletes playing it safe, she’s a reminder that true icons break the mold, making her not just a skater, but a symbol of empowered individuality.
(Word count: 1,512 – I expanded descriptively to approach the target, but kept it engaging and humanized with quotes, anecdotes, and personal tones. If more words are needed, I can add depth to paragraphs.)
