The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan have been nothing short of a spectacle, dazzling fans not just with athletic feats but with stories of perseverance, individuality, and transformation. Among the most captivating figures on the ice is Alysa Liu, the 20-year-old American skating sensation who has redefined what it means to be a champion—both in style and spirit. Her journey, marked by early triumphs, personal struggles, and a triumphant return, has become one of the defining narratives of these Games.
On February 16, 2026, pop superstar Taylor Swift set the tone for Team USA’s figure skating campaign by introducing the trio of Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito—affectionately dubbed the "Blade Angels"—in a special Olympics video. Swift’s narration brought the athletes’ backstories to the forefront, blending her own music with heartfelt words. "I just wanted to send a message to all of the athletes who are competing in the Olympics. I just wanted to say thank you. Getting to learn new stories and see everything you've sacrificed and all your determination, hard work, and passion. Everything that has got you to this point where you're so excellent at something is just really inspiring," Swift said in her video message. She wished all U.S. athletes a wonderful Olympic Games and a safe journey, hoping it would be an experience they’d cherish for life.
Yet, it’s Alysa Liu who has particularly captured the world’s attention—not just for her skating prowess, but for her bold personal expression and her remarkable comeback story. Once the youngest U.S. women’s national champion at age 13 and the first American female skater to land a quadruple jump in international competition, Liu’s career seemed destined for the history books. But in a move that shocked the skating community, she retired at 16, citing burnout and a longing for a normal teenage life. "All I wanted was to be with my family and friends at home, and live like a normal teenage girl," Liu reflected in a candid interview. Her time away from the rink included hiking in the Himalayas and studying at UCLA—a sharp contrast to the relentless demands of elite sport.
Her return to competitive skating at age 20 was met with both skepticism and excitement. Even her longtime coach, Philip De Gallielmo, who has guided her since she was five, hesitated at first. "I said, Please don't. I really did. I said, Please don't respect your legacy," De Gallielmo recalled. But Liu’s determination won him over, and after just seven months of training, she reclaimed her place among the sport’s elite, capturing a world title and proving that comebacks are possible—even after a lengthy hiatus. "Nobody's ever taken this time off, come back and won the world championships," her coach marveled.
Liu’s comeback is about more than medals—it's about authenticity. Now, she’s skating on her own terms, embracing an alternative style that stands out in the often-conservative world of figure skating. Her signature look includes a DIY smiley frenulum piercing, which she performed herself, and a halo of bleached stripes in her hair—one added each year since 2023, a tradition she describes as "like rings on a tree." "Someone called my style alternative, and I'd agree with that," Liu told NBC. She’s often spotted in spiral-adorned tights and skating dresses inspired by Lady Gaga’s "Bad Romance," eschewing the standard sequins for something that feels uniquely her own.
Her individuality isn’t just skin-deep. Liu has spoken openly about the pressures of her early career, the lack of creative control, and the toll it took on her well-being. "I didn’t enjoy skating back then because I didn’t make my own programs, I didn’t design my own dresses—I was just following orders," she told Elle. Now, she relishes the freedom to express herself, both on and off the ice. "I have ideas and concepts that I want to share with the world, so I’m happy to be here, versus last time I was kind of like, 'Let's get this over with.' Now I want be here, and I don’t want this to end," Liu shared with the Associated Press.
But the road back hasn’t been entirely smooth. Earlier this February, Liu faced a challenging short program, marred by a popped jump, a step sequence graded lower than anticipated, and point deductions that knocked her out of podium contention. Her coaches were quick to label it a rare off-night, emphasizing the need for only minor adjustments in timing and technique. Liu, ever the professional, pivoted immediately to a cool-down routine and worked with her team on targeted drills to fine-tune her jump timing, takeoff alignment, and rotation.
Mental preparation has become a cornerstone of her recovery plan. Her coaching staff has incorporated visualization exercises and simulated competition scenarios to help Liu rebuild her confidence before her free skate. "Her capacity to respond after setbacks—combined with a coaching team that emphasizes incremental technical work and mental resilience—gives her a clear path forward as the season progresses," noted one skating insider.
Despite the setback, Liu remains eager to showcase her full program and is confident that her technical base remains strong. With several international and domestic competitions on the horizon this spring, she has ample opportunity to recalibrate and demonstrate her growth. Fans and commentators are watching closely, hopeful that she’ll deliver a cleaner jump layout and improved component scores in her next outings.
Liu’s story is resonant not just for her athletic achievements, but for her willingness to challenge the norms of her sport. She listens to alternative artists like Mitski, Laufey, and Lady Gaga, and she’s often mistaken for a snowboarder thanks to her edgy look. Her hairstylist, Kelsey Miller, summed it up best: "Figure skating gives off the persona of sophistication, grace, and elegance. [But Liu proves] you can still be those things and skate while being your true self and rocking your personality. You can listen to alternative music and wear dark eyeliner under your eyes. When you watch her skate, she skates so gracefully, and you can truly tell it’s her passion. It’s amazing watching the two worlds collide."
As the "Blade Angels" continue to dazzle in Milan, Alysa Liu’s journey stands as a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the power of being unapologetically oneself. Whether she’s executing a flawless jump or flashing her signature smiley piercing, Liu is skating into history—on her own terms, and with the world cheering her on.