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Alysa Liu Makes History With Gold Medal Win at 2026 Olympics
Alysa Liu is skating into a bright future.
Just days after winning gold for her free skate at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games—becoming the first American woman to medal in the event since 2006—the figure skater revealed that her creativity doesn’t end with her blonde-and-brown striped hair and atypical song choices.
Indeed, the athlete shared that she has plans to pursue her passion for design after returning home from Italy.
“I have work that I want to put out,” Alysa told E! News in an exclusive interview. “I have creative ideas. I'm really into fashion and I love to express myself in any way and sharing my story and my life experiences. I love storytelling and I love hearing other stories from other people, too.”
And the 20-year-old—who also won Olympic gold alongside Ilia Malinin in the team event—wants to encourage her fellow figure skaters, and the world, to bring their own creativity to the table as well.
“There needs to be more individuality,” she continued. “People deserve the space to express themselves and I'm glad that people are looking to me as inspiration to do that. Success looks different on everybody and it can mean different things to people.”
As for how Alysa learned to lean into the authentic version of herself? It all started when she retired from the sport in 2022.
Gillette Venus
“There was a time where I wasn't confident in myself or I didn't know I could step out of the lane,” she explained. “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 and [my authenticity] just domino affected.”
But since coming out of retirement in 2024, she said, “It feels like I'm really just doing what I want to do and I'm more confident in myself.”
Another reason Alysa is ready to skate past the competition on the ice has to do with her prep work outside of the rink. That’s why she made sure to partner with Gillette Venus, the official razor of Team USA and the Milano Cortina Games.
Gillette Venus
“I'm picky with blades, so this one? It's the one,” she told 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.”
As Alysa prepares to head back to the U.S., where her status as a fan-favorite Olympian has come with a newfound level of attention, she is hopeful that she doesn’t notice too big of a change.
“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.”
Plus, she is excited to get back to practice and plan for future competitions.
“I have some program ideas, so I see more dresses in the future,” Alysa concluded. “I love packaging programs together—getting the hair, dress, cut of the music, choreography—all of it together. It's hard to do. It's an art in itself, and I love to do it.”
In addition to Alysa, read on to see who else made history during the 2026 Winter Olympics.
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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