An Evening with Alysa Liu

“How can someone be so casual about being the best in the world? She’s somehow made her triumphs feel unsentimental to herself but meaningful to everyone else.” – Bowen Yang for Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2026

At 21, Bay Area native Alysa Liu, who won two figure skating gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, has emerged as a defining voice of her generation. After landing a triple Axel at 12 and winning the U.S. National Championship at 13, she retired at 16, stepping away from elite skating to prioritize her mental health and well-being. Her triumphant return to competition has yielded much more than success on the ice. With her refreshing individuality, Liu embodies a rare combination of authenticity and courage, making her a role model for anyone determined to define success on their own terms.