USA's Alysa Liu performs at the figure skating exhibition gala during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on February 21, 2026.

Alysa Liu on Feb. 21 at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.Credit : Antonin THUILLIER / AFP via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

Alysa Liu dazzled on the ice at the figure skating exhibition gala in Milan, Italy on Saturday, Feb. 21
The gala is a skating tradition that happens after competitions, and is not for scores or medals
Liu’s skate came two days after she won gold in the women’s skating final

Alysa Liu returned to the ice for the first time since she won gold in the figure skating final for a special performance at the Olympic figure skating exhibition gala.

Liu, 20, skated to “Stateside” by PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson at the Milano Ice Skating Arena on Saturday, Feb. 21, just two days after she won gold for her program in the figure skating final on Feb. 19.

Earlier in the night, she performed alongside her Team USA teammates for a group program.

The gala is a post-competition tradition that features the podiums of all three completed figure skating events, plus other notable names from all over the world. This year’s gala includes Liu, Ilia Malinin, Amber Glenn, Madison Chock and Evan Bates, Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea, Mikhail Shaidorov and Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry.

(L-R) Ellie Kam, Danny O'Shea, Madison Chock, Evan Bates, Alysa Liu, Ilia Malinin and Amber Glenn of Team United States perform in the Team Event routine during a Figure Skating Exhibition Gala on day fifteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

(L-R) Ellie Kam, Danny O’Shea, Madison Chock, Evan Bates, Alysa Liu, Ilia Malinin and Amber Glenn at the skating gala on Feb. 21.Maja Hitij/Getty

Before winning gold, Liu, who retired from figure skating altogether in 2022 before finding joy in the sport again in 2024, expressed a strong desire to perform in the gala, regardless of whether she made it to the podium.

“I already have a dress picked out,” she told reporters on Feb. 17 following her performance in the short program.

After securing the gold medal — and subsequently a spot at the gala — Liu told reporters she’s “so excited” to skate. “But, I’m going to need some sleep so that I can do the exhibition in my full capacity,” she said.

Liu has become a fan favorite of Team USA not just for her talent on the ice but for her bold personality and transparency with her fans. Some may consider her a role model, though Liu said she’s not totally convinced, telling PEOPLE, “I don’t know if I really want to be a role model, I would say, but I guess I am.”

Still, she’s fully on board with those who find her alt style iconic: “That’s really awesome.”

“I’m just doing me,” Liu continued, “so, it’s cool if I’m inspiring any other people. I just have a certain fashion sense and I’m kind of stubborn with it, so it’ll always come through.