Alysa Liu moves to her own – and Lady Gaga’s – beats en route to silver at U.S. Championships
In a sport steeped in tradition, U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu isn’t afraid to step outside the box – to say the least. The 20-year-old is in just her second season back after a brief retirement following the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. The time off, she’s said, gave her fresh perspective and a renewed love of skating.
It also provided her with clarity about who she is and what she wants her skating to convey. That was evident Friday night at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis, Missouri, where Liu delivered a dynamic free skate to claim her second consecutive national silver medal. She finished behind three-time champion and 2024 Grand Prix Final winner Amber Glenn.
Glenn scored 233.55 to Liu’s 228.91, with 2024 World silver medalist Isabeau Levito rounding out the podium. The trio is expected to headline the U.S. squad for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 when selections are announced Sunday.
“To share a podium with these girls, to spend time with them, I love it,” Liu told NBC afterward. “I’m just really happy, and I’m proud of them. We all did so good.”
While Liu didn’t come away with the gold, she made a statement that resonated beyond her placement. Just 24 hours before performing her free skate, Liu had dyed her hair with dramatic platinum blonde stripes, showcasing her bold and vibrant personality.
Significantly, Liu unveiled a revamped version of her Lady Gaga-themed program. After starting the Olympic season with a different cut of the routine, she scrapped “Bloody Mary” entirely and built her new performance around “Chromatica,” “Paparazzi,” and “Bad Romance.” With the Olympic Games approaching, the shift was daring, yet she remained unfazed.
This latest program, complemented by her striking new hairdo and platinum costume, felt like a declaration of her independence – a powerful signal of her unique identity within the sport. Liu’s ability to evolve, push boundaries, and remain true to her rhythm makes her an exhilarating force in figure skating. Come Milano Cortina, there’s no doubt she will continue to dance to her own beat.
