Olympic Skater Alysa Liu Reveals Meaning Behind Striped Hairstyle

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Alysa Liu, the U.S. figure skater who won gold in the 2026 Olympics' team event, revealed the special meaning behind her now-viral blonde-and-brown striped hairstyle. The 20-year-old, who retired in 2022 before making a comeback two years later, explained that she adds a new stripe to her hair each year as a way to mark the passing of time and her journey back to the Olympics.

Why it matters

Liu's unique hairstyle has captured the attention of Olympic fans, highlighting her creative self-expression and the personal significance the look holds for the athlete as she returned to competition after a brief retirement. Her story resonates with the resilience and determination required to reach the pinnacle of one's sport.

The details

Liu, who won gold in the figure skating team event at the 2026 Olympics, revealed that she started adding the striped pattern to her hair three years ago. "Every year, I add a stripe," she explained in an interview. "It's gonna be like this for a year, then—next wintertime, end of December—I do another ring." The athlete DIY'd her latest stripe, though she did need help from a hairstylist to achieve the perfect blonde hue. "This was definitely a very unique situation for me," the colorist shared. "It was fun to shake it up and do something I don't typically do."

• Three years ago, Liu put in her first hair stripe.
• In December, Liu added another stripe to her hairstyle.

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