Alysa Liu ‘hasn’t changed one bit’ from Olympic stardom, gold medal

ANAHEIM, CA — Alysa Liu is scared to go back home.

Not in a bad way. She’s been able to return a few times since the 2026 Winter Olympics. Rather, the next time she’s back and settled in, it will likely be much different than what she’s known for most of her 20 years of life.

“I’m scared it won’t feel like home anymore, because all of a sudden everyone’s gonna know me,” Liu told USA TODAY Sports.

Even without the halo hair and smiley piercing, it’s hard not to recognize the star of 2026.

The past three months have been an absolute whirlwind for the figure skating star. Liu returned from retirement with a comeback that’s maybe even too much for Hollywood, becoming Olympic champion to be the first U.S. women’s skater to win gold in more than 20 years.

Liu’s approach and carefree attitude to Olympic gold sent her into a stratosphere unlike any other. You can’t miss seeing her on late-night talk shows, a Laufey music video – one of her favorite experiences – and even the Met Gala. She’s not even sure how she’s able to make all these appearances, responding with “that’s true” when asked when she has the time.

“It’s been really cool. I’m so grateful for so many of the opportunities I got to do,” she said.

Yet most of all, she’s still doing what made her an icon and what she loves most: skating.

Liu spoke to USA TODAY Sports during one of the many stops on the Stars on Ice tour, where she and several Team USA skaters are showcasing their skills on skates following the success in Milano Cortina. 

Shows have been sold out, and it’s in large part thanks to Liu. Her name easily draws the biggest crowd reactions, as well as when she does her “Promise” short program and the viral “Stateside” performance.

“We’ve had a couple of people who we met at the show who said, ‘never watched figure skating before, but I saw Alysa at Olympics, and I got ticket stars on ice,’” said fellow Team USA member Evan Bates. “That’s the kind of stuff that I think we are so grateful for, to reach into new audiences and reach people who’ve never seen the sport before.”

Plenty of fellow skaters agree. The “Quad God” Ilia Malinin added that he thinks the figure skating popularity skyrocketed not only because of the Olympics success, but because skaters have been so different than what was the normal perception, with the sport needing “a lot more diversity and individuality.” No one may fit the bill better than figure skating’s true alt-skater defying the norm. 

Her story reminded people to have joy in the things they do, offering a rare human connection for an athlete. A mentality of “if she loves what she does, then I should too.”

“It’s bigger than skating. It’s about the person. It’s about her mentality and her approach to life, and just how true she is to herself, and that’s something that is so wonderful to see,” Bates said. “She’s connected with so many millions of people, and we’re so proud of her.”

If you think any of this has changed Liu, you’re deeply mistaken. She’s still the same enthusiastic, kind-spirited skater you wouldn’t guess is an A-list star.

“She’s such a unique person. She hasn’t changed one bit, and she won’t,” Bates said.

Liu is still trying to figure out exactly why she is so popular, but is happy it’s gotten more attention for figure skating outside of the Olympics.

“It’s kind of crazy to me, but I’m happy to get them into it because I think the sport is so cool, and I think the athletes are so strong and lowkey underrated,” she said.

There are still plenty of adjustments to the game that come with it.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to do my normal activities like usual. I haven’t had to deal with that yet. I don’t know what I am really anticipating, but I’m trying to anticipate it,” Liu said. “I’m trying to keep a lock on myself.”

Alysa Liu eyes competing again

The Olympics are an exhausting competition. An entire year builds to it, and by the time it’s done, skaters are completely wiped out. It’s typically why you see them pull out of the world championships that take place one month later. 

Liu didn’t participate because the opportunities that arose from winning gold were too rich to pass up, cashing in for a future when she was hardly spending any time on the ice.

But the breaks can extend past that; there are several members of Team USA who haven’t committed to the 2026-27 season yet, all for varying reasons. 

Bates and wife Madison Chock previously told USA TODAY Sports they haven’t made a decision on whether they’ll continue their decorated careers after their fourth Winter Olympics ended in controversy. Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea, the pair that were clutch in getting Team USA gold, are undecided with O’Shea saying he will “only skate with Ellie” if he continues. After the massive pressure in his first Games, Malinin is considering sitting out some or all of next season.

And Liu? Well, she knows what she wants. 

“I really want to compete next season,” she said.

The desire is there, but plans aren’t finalized. When Stars on Ice wraps up at the end of May, Liu has more events she will attend, and in the summer, she plans to take an actual vacation with her family.

Sprinkled in will be getting back to training and working on her next programs. Considering how “MacArthur Park” and “Stateside” went viral, there will be interest in seeing what Liu picks for her program music. The secret to deciding comes from asking coaches, family and friends, and she prefers to have different types of genres for her short program and free skate.

But again, that’s another thing on the to-do list. No work has gone into 2026-27, which is why it can’t be set in stone just yet.

“I will have to take a look at everything, because I haven’t been able to talk with my coaches and whatnot. If I don’t do this season, I’m definitely going to do next season, but I want to try to figure out if this season is possible,” she said.

“I have not been focusing on my programs, let me tell ya,” Liu added with a laugh. 

What she does know, though, are some things she wants to change in competition.

The dynamics of figure skating changed with Liu’s help, with her, Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito forming the “Blade Angels,” who have become friends instead of rivals and cheering each other on in a sight rarely seen in the ultra-competitive sport. 

Stars on Ice has only heightened that. The skaters are with each other for nearly every waking second, especially the “Blade Angels.” What caught the eye of Liu is they get ready for shows together, rather than the customary competition practice of everyone doing things on their own. 

When Liu gets back to competing, she wants that trend to continue, just another sign she is a trailblazer in the culture shift happening in figure skating.

“I don’t get ready with other girls, like we’re not doing our makeup together. We’re doing our makeup together here,” she said. “If me and some of the girls get the same competitions internationally, I’m gonna be like, ‘guys do you want to do makeup together?’

“There’s like little things I’m noticing that are different here and there that don’t really have to be different,” she added.

Quite the life Liu is living right now. She’s now an American icon that everyone can’t get enough of. 

Sure, it’s become a little hard to maintain that lowkey presence she was used to, but with being able to do just about everything being an Olympic champion can offer – while continuing to do what she loves and be with her fellow skaters – she’s just enjoying the ride.

“It’s so fun every day,” Liu said.