ALYSA LIU STUNS TEEN VOGUE AFTER TWO OLYMPIC GOLDS

## From Olympic Triumph to Teen Vogue Cover Star Alysa Liu was unveiled Wednesday as the cover athlete for Teen Vogue, cementing her status as a cultural icon beyond the skating rink. The United States figure skater captured plenty of spotlight at the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy, last month, winning two gold medals and making history in the process. Liu netted the country's first individual gold medal in figure skating since Sarah Hughes in 2002. The magazine shoot, photographed by Erika Long, captures Liu in her signature whimsical style with barrettes clipped into her halo locks. ## The Comeback That Shocked the World Liu originally debuted at 16 in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, placing seventh overall in the individual event. Later that year, she shared on her Instagram that she decided to retire from figure skating officially after experiencing burnout. In 2024, she decided to return to skating and has capped off a comeback with gold medals. Liu made history yet again in 2026, becoming the first American woman to earn an individual figure skating gold medal at the Olympics in 24 years with a final score of 226.79. ## UCLA Psychology Student Prioritizes Balance Alysa Liu is a third-year Psychology major at UCLA who has redefined what it means to be an elite athlete. "I pick hanging out with my friends over a session, and if that makes me a worse skater, so be it. I don't care. I will jeopardize whatever," she said in the Teen Vogue interview. She chose this field to better understand the mental pressures of elite performance and has stated that her studies actually helped her manage her Olympic anxiety during the 2026 season. For college, Liu chose UCLA, where she could pursue her many interests, from psychology to the arts. ## The Teen Vogue Interview Reveals Her True Self Liu shared what she did to celebrate her Olympic gold medal victory: The athlete told the outlet that she "got some good Chinese food, of course," with her friends. This relatable response perfectly captures the down-to-earth personality that has made her a Gen Z favorite. Shot by photographer Erika Long, the cover features Liu in her signature style, whimsical barrettes clipped into her halo locks, graphic details, and the effortless cool that has made her as much a cultural conversation as a sports one. "OUR MAGICAL GIRL🥹 most magical shoot day of my life!!!" Teen Vogue's creative editorial director gushed. ## Beyond the Rink: A Cultural Icon Being named the cover model of Teen Vogue is a major power move for Liu in terms of her career as a pop icon. Teen Vogue is the Gen-Z version of Vogue Magazine, which is widely considered one of the most influential and prominent publications in high fashion and luxury lifestyle. Liu's official Instagram account boasts an impressive 7M followers, growing significantly during her time at the Winter Olympics and her massive wins on the ice. Celebrities like Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez were publicly rooting for her during the Olympics. ## What's Next for the Olympic Champion Liu will be a part of the 2026 Stars on Ice Tour, alongside fellow figure skating stars like Ilia Malinin, power couple Madison Chock and Evan Bates, and her fellow "Blade Angels" members, Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito. Liu noted that she loves France and is already looking forward to the possibility of competing in the next Olympics, when she'll be 24 years old. She is a double Olympic gold medallist, a World Champion, and a UCLA psychology student who practices at the Oakland Ice Centre to a playlist of whatever she feels like that day. The Teen Vogue feature proves that Liu has successfully transcended sports to become a true cultural phenomenon.