Alysa Liu Makes History With Gold Medal Win at 2026 Olympics
Alysa Liu is deep in a golden lush life.
After winning the gold medal for her free skate at the 2026 Olympics, the figure skater took to the ice again during the Exhibition Gala to premiere her newest program to the song “Stateside” by Zara Larsson and Pink Pantheress.
The choice of song was definitely an exciting one not just for Alysa, but also for Zara, who gave the 20-year-old a shoutout in a Feb. 22 TikTok, which Alysa was incredibly thrilled by.
“Wow, I love that,” Alysa exclusively shared with E! News while watching Zara’s video for the first time, adding that the positive response was “everything.”
“I am only able to do such great programs because their songs are so great,” she continued, “and I really connect with it.”
As Alysa explained, the music and the movement of her skating “go hand-in-hand.”
Since coming out of retirement in 2024 and competing in the Olympics—where she became the first American woman to win gold in the women’s figure skating final since 2002—Alysa has been candid about how much more comfortable she feels on the ice.
“There was a time where I wasn’t confident in myself or I didn’t know I could step out of the lane,” she told E!. “That was up until I was 16 years old when I stepped away from the sport.”
“That was my first out-of-the-lane decision,” Alysa said, “and [my authenticity] just domino affected.”
Gillette Venus
And it definitely feels different for her now that she’s back to competing—and doing so while being in control of her own decisions.
“It feels like I’m really just doing what I want to do,” Alysa said, “and I’m more confident in myself.”
And that confidence also comes from making sure she’s prepared not just on the ice but outside the rink, which is why she partnered with Gillette Venus, the official razor of Team USA and the Milano Cortina Games.
“I’m picky with blades, so this one? It’s the one,” she shared with E!. “On the ice, it’s my get-ready, pre-competition [routine] and it doesn’t leave my skin dry and stuff. It’s a good razor.”
Gillette Venus
And now that the Olympics have officially wrapped up, she’s getting ready to head back to her normal life and figure out who the newest version of Alysa is.
“It’s still me. I want my life to stay as similar as possible,” she said. “I’m really going to try to keep my peace because I like my life, so I don’t want it to be too chaotic. I want it to stay calm and peaceful and chill.”
For a look at more Olympians who made history at the 2026 Winter Games, keep reading.
Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo
The Norwegian cross-country skier earned six gold medals at the 2026 Olympics, bringing his career total to 11 and making him the most-awarded gold medalist in Winter Games history.
Jiang Qiming/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images
Jordan Stolz
The American speed skater didn’t just earn gold in the men’s 1000m, he also set a new Olympic record with a time of 1:06.28.
(Days later, he set yet another Olympic speed skating record.)
Hu Huhu/Xinhua via Getty Images
Pinheiro Braathen
The ski racer danced his way into the history books when he won Olympic gold. Not only did the medal mark Brazil’s first Winter Games medal in history, but it was also the first for all of South America.
Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Chloe Kim
With her silver medal win in the women’s snowboarding halfpipe, the Team USA athelete became the first woman to win three consecutive medals in the event.
She also became the first female snowboarder to land a cab double 1080 in an Olympic halfpipe final.
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Laila Edwards
The 22-year-old is the first Black woman to play for Team USA women’s hockey at the Olympics.
Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Regina Martínez Lorenzo
The cross-country skier is the first woman to represent Mexico in the sport at the Olympics.
François-Xavier MARIT / AFP via Getty Images
Cory Thiesse & Korey Dropkin
The Americans earned the Unites States’ first medal in mixed doubles curling with their silver medal finish.
Al Bello/Getty Images
Nicole Burger
The skeleton athlete is the first South African woman to represent her country in the event at the Olympics.
Federica Vanzetta/Nordic Focus/Getty Images
Ben Ogden
The Team USA cross-country skier ended a 50-year medal drought for the United States in the men’s sprint classical race when he picked up a silver medal.
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