Alysa Liu, the extraordinary figure skater who captured two gold medals for the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, recently shared an exclusive insight into her heartwarming encounter with pop sensation Taylor Swift. The interaction took place at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, where Liu was tasked with presenting Swift with the prestigious Artist of the Year award.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/taylor-swift-alysa-liu-iheartradio-music-awards-032726-1e8769a2f3cb407b84c4a56d11694a74.jpg)
In a candid conversation with PEOPLE magazine, Liu described the moment as “awesome,” marking a significant full-circle experience after her Olympic triumph. The pair first crossed paths in February when Swift narrated an introduction video celebrating Liu and her fellow skaters, known as the “Blade Angels”, ahead of the Olympic Games. This connection laid the groundwork for their eventual meeting at the awards ceremony in March, where Liu had the opportunity to honour Swift on stage.
“It was a really special moment for me,” Liu expressed about the honour of presenting an award to someone who had previously recognised her accomplishments. She praised Swift’s platform, remarking on the importance of the musician’s acknowledgment of her and her teammates, Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito. “It was cool to have someone with such a big platform to shout us out and get the recognition they deserve,” Liu noted.
Beyond her moment with Swift, Liu shared her reflections on life after the Olympics and the whirlwind of experiences that followed. Four months on from her impressive performances at the Winter Games, she conveyed that the reality of her success has finally sunk in. “Now it has settled in,” she said. “At the end of our show tours, that’s kind of when it hit me because those were all the people I was at the Olympics with. It was a beautiful moment.”
Even as she celebrated her achievements, Liu maintained a grounded perspective, likening the Olympics to any other competitive event. She explained that what truly fostered a sense of closure for her was completing the show tours alongside her teammates, rather than focusing solely on the Olympic experience itself. “The Olympics, in reality, is really just like every other competition. There’s not really anything different,” she clarified.
Since her Olympic debut, Liu’s life has been a flurry of excitement. Aside from attending the iHeartRadio Music Awards, she has graced several other red carpets and prestigious award shows. Making her Met Gala debut in May, Liu stunned attendees in a striking red ruffled gown that took inspiration from her athletic roots, further establishing herself as a fashion icon alongside her sports achievements.
The gown, styled by Katie Qian and designed by Louis Vuitton, featured a strapless silhouette with a dramatic high-low hem adorned with ruffles. Liu expressed her appreciation for the evening’s Costume Art theme, emphasizing the valuable connection between athletes and their clothing. “For me, it’s all about the relationship with clothing and our bodies as an artistic medium,” she shared. “As figure skaters, we represent an artistic winter sport.”
Qian echoed Liu’s sentiments, noting that the theme suited the young athlete perfectly. “She is an elite athlete who uses her body every day in training and performance, and she is also a true artist when developing her programmes,” Qian remarked, highlighting Liu’s dual identity as both a top-tier athlete and a creative artist.
As festivities continue, Liu also revealed that she won’t be in attendance for the highly publicised wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, expected to take place in New York City this summer. Despite her busy schedule, she remains keen on cherishing her achievements and upholding her connections with fellow athletes.
With numerous accolades to her name and an evident passion for both sport and artistry, Alysa Liu has carved a vibrant path post-Olympics that resonates with fans and aspiring skaters alike. As she continues to navigate her burgeoning career, her experiences with stars like Swift serve as a testament to her growing influence both on and off the ice.