By Miley Coates

American figure skater, Alysa Liu, became an individual and team Olympic champion at the 2026 Winter Olympics, also becoming the first American woman to medal at the Olympics since 2006.

Since then, Liu has become an ambassador for luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton, a collaborator with Nike, and a partner of Samsung.

First stepping onto the ice at the age of five, Liu had no skating career goal in mind,especially not eventually winning the Olympics. Despite competing in major sporting events since the age of 10, Liu became the youngest U.S women’s National champion in 2019. Nothing could overshadow her true priority: skate for happiness, not for intensity.

Making it to the Beijing Olympics in 2022, Liu kept a positive mindset at her forefront, placing eighth in the short program, sharing she was happy with her performance as she had competed at the Olympics.

Liu said: “I wanted to do good programs, but I was just thinking, ‘I made it. This is it… nothing can affect my mood.”

Liu is no stranger to stardom, with all eyes on her throughout her recent Winter Olympics performance. She soon became a global phenomenon; major, well-known brands were immediately drawn to her. After her program, the impact was there for all to see, sky-rocketing the song ‘Stateside’ (the song she performed to), to the top of the charts, which was impossible to forget.

Alysa Liu performing in Boston, February 2026. Via gettyimages

Now, with major brand endorsements and partnerships under her belt, fans have been left desperate for more.

Following Liu’s appearance at the Paris Fashion Week for Nicolas Ghesquière’s Fall/Winter 2026 show, it was announced in May that she would become the official house ambassador for Louis Vuitton.

Cementing herself within the fashion world, she has made an image for herself like no other. A talented Gen-Z woman with a mix of agile grace and sheer athletic strength, she is now an inspiration for young girls - especially with her unique multi-coloured hair.

Now sitting out of competitive figure skating across the 2026-27 season in order to focus on training, artistry, and personal growth, the world waits to see what Liu will do next, planning to return to skating for the 2027-28 season.

Careers beyond ice - How Alysa Liu rose to fame