Catching up with Alysa Liu

[gsk8]

Fresh off her world title, USA's Alysa Liu is stepping into the new season with equal parts excitement and challenges. In this candid interview, the U.S. Champion opens up about the unusual struggles she's faced with her skates, how it feels to compete when her jumps "just don't feel normal," and why pushing through fear often brings out her best.

Away from the rink, Liu reflects on a whirlwind off-season filled with media events, travel, and chance encounters with celebrities ranging from Megan Thee Stallion to Summer Olympians and even the Real Housewives cast in France. She also talks about discovering new favorite artists like Lévi—whose music she now dreams of skating to on Olympic ice—and her lifelong admiration for Lady Gaga's bold creativity.

Liu reveals details about her evolving costumes, ambitious technical upgrades (including a triple Lutz–triple loop), and her excitement about returning to China for the Grand Prix, a place that feels like home thanks to her family roots and love of Sichuan cuisine.

Funny, fearless, and refreshingly open, Liu shows exactly why she's one of skating's most compelling voices—not just on the ice, but off it too.

 

[Weathergal]

She radiates joy in this interview! She has SUCH a good sense of who she is and an appreciation for where she's at. The thing that really jumped out at me though was this is a skater who reslly owns her skating -- from the music to the costume to the jump layout. I wish that every skater could -- at least as they mature -- have that kind of ownership.

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

It has been a joy to watch Alysa ascend to the World title in her comeback season. Bit of a rough start at Lombardia but, knowing in hindsight about her broken boots, it's a wonder that she even skated as well as she did! Ilia's dad was very kind in helping Alysa with her boot issues. It makes sense now as to her jump struggles, and why both of her boots (one old, one new!) were so heavily taped up.