Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu made a daring and trustworthy assertion about her look and identification.
In a recent interview tied to her rising partnership with Nike, the 20-year-old determine skating star shared that she not feels the necessity to say “yes” to every little thing, particularly relating to altering who she is.
“These days, I say no to more things that I used to say yes to,” Liu mentioned. “When I came back to figure skating, people said I would have to change my hair and I said, ‘No, I won’t be changing my hair.’”
Gold medalist Alysa Liu of Team United States celebrates on the rostrum throughout the medal ceremony for the Women’s Single Skating – Free Skating on day 13 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.Photo by Tang Xinyu/VCG through Getty Images
(Photo by Tang Xinyu/VCG through Getty Images)
The assertion displays a transparent shift in mindset for Liu, who returned to aggressive skating after a break with a renewed sense of goal and management over her profession.
Liu’s refusal to alter her hair could appear easy, however in determine skating, look has lengthy been a part of the game’s tradition. Athletes are sometimes anticipated to suit a sure picture: polished, elegant and conventional.
Liu has challenged that concept.
From her distinctive coiffure to her daring vogue decisions, she has constructed a status for expressing herself freely. Her look has drawn reward from followers, particularly youthful audiences who see her as a logo of individuality.
Her current appearances off the ice, together with a viral Oscars weekend look, have solely strengthened that picture. Fans flooded social media with reactions, many highlighting her confidence and distinctive fashion.
But for Liu, the main target just isn’t about standing out for consideration. It is about staying true to herself.
“People give me song suggestions, and I’ll take them into consideration, but if I don’t like something, I’m not going to skate to it,” she defined. “I want to make choices that feel like me.”
Liu’s feedback come throughout a significant second in her profession. After profitable Olympic gold on the Milano Cortina Games, she grew to become the primary American girl in over 20 years to attain the feat.
Her journey has been something however typical.
She first rose to fame as a younger prodigy, profitable a nationwide title at simply 13 years outdated. But the stress of elite competitors led her to step away from the game as a young person. When she returned practically two years later, she did so with a special mindset; one targeted on enjoyment and self-expression slightly than expectations.
That strategy paid off. Not solely did she win Olympic gold, however she additionally grew to become some of the talked-about athletes on the planet.
Now, together with her new Nike partnership, Liu is stepping right into a broader highlight that blends sports activities, vogue and tradition. The marketing campaign options her sporting upcoming footwear releases and celebrates her journey from athlete to world persona.
Despite the rising fame, Liu stays grounded in her beliefs.
She shared that studying to belief her instincts has been key to her development, not simply as an athlete, however as an individual.
“At the end of the day, if it’s not a ‘hell yes,’ it’s a ‘hell no,’” Liu mentioned, describing how she now approaches selections in her life and profession.
Related: U.S. Figure Skater Alysa Liu’s Appearance Is Turning Heads
This story was initially printed by Parade on Mar 24, 2026, the place it first appeared within the Celebs part. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
