Alysa Liu

Alysa Liu, a prominent figure in the world of figure skating, rose to fame at the remarkably young age of 13, when she became the youngest-ever U.S. women's national champion. Adding to this feat, she went on to successfully defend her title the following year, becoming the youngest skater to win two senior national titles. Liu's technical prowess made her a groundbreaker in the history of American figure skating: she was the first American junior women's singles skater to successfully complete a triple Axel in international competition and the first American woman to land a quadruple jump. In the 2019-20 season, she earned a bronze at the World Junior Championships and led the U.S. team to first place overall at the inaugural Aurora Games.

Liu's skill and dedication brought her recognition on a global scale. In 2022, she competed in the Winter Olympics, placing sixth, and earned a bronze medal at the World Championships. It was also in this year that Liu decided to retire from competitive figure skating. However, her passion for the sport couldn't keep her away for long. In the 2024-25 season, she made a comeback to competitive figure skating, securing gold medals at the CS Budapest Trophy, CS Golden Spin of Zagreb, and the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships in Boston. This last win marked the first time a U.S. woman had won the world title in 19 years.

Aside from her competition accolades, Liu has also made her mark as a performer and influencer. She showcased her talent in ice shows such as "Sun Valley on Ice" and "Stars on Ice," and her achievements earned her a place on the inaugural Time 100 Next list in 2019. Liu's influence extended beyond the rink, with sponsorships from Team Toyota and a deal with American Girl. Additionally, she was featured in Ralph Lauren's campaign for the 2022 Winter Olympics Team USA uniforms and graced the cover of the December 2019 edition of International Figure Skating Magazine. Continuing her studies, Liu is currently pursuing a degree in psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).