Alysa Liu Shares Story Behind Her Signature 'Smiley' Lip Piercing

The 20-year-old Team USA figure skater won gold in the women's singles and team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Alysa Liu, the 20-year-old Team USA figure skater, opened up about the backstory behind her unique "smiley" lip piercing that was on full display during the 2026 Winter Olympics. Liu revealed that she pierced it herself over two years ago, with her sister holding up her lip as she looked in the mirror. The piercing, also known as a frenulum piercing, is only visible when Liu grins widely enough to reveal her gum line. In addition to her bold lip jewelry, Liu also turned heads with her hairstyle featuring bleached "halo" rings around her dark brown locks, a look she's been cultivating for the past three years.

Why it matters

Liu's openness about her personal style choices, including her self-pierced lip ring and distinctive hairstyle, has made her a fan favorite on Team USA. Her transparency and willingness to embrace her unique look have inspired others and solidified her status as a rising star in the world of figure skating.

The details

The frenulum piercing that Liu sports passes through a small fold of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums. The jewelry is only visible when Liu grins widely enough to reveal her gum line, hence the "smiley" nickname. Liu also shared the story behind her hairstyle, explaining that she adds a new bleached ring around her dark brown locks each year, with the current style featuring three rings that she's been building up since 2023.

  • Liu pierced her lip over two years ago, in early 2024.
  • Liu added her first bleached hair ring in late 2023, followed by additional rings in 2024 and 2025.

The players

Alysa Liu

A 20-year-old Team USA figure skater who won gold medals in the women's singles and team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Liu's sister

Held up Liu's lip while she pierced it herself over two years ago.

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What they’re saying

“I pierced it a little over two years ago now. I had my sister hold up my lip, and I was looking in the mirror, and I had my piercing needle and then — yeah, I just put it through.”

— Alysa Liu, Team USA Figure Skater (TMJ4 News)

“I do this every year. I add a stripe, so it's going to be like this for a year. Then next year wintertime, like end of December, I do another ring.”

— Alysa Liu, Team USA Figure Skater (NBC New York)

The takeaway

Alysa Liu's bold personal style, including her self-pierced lip ring and distinctive hairstyle, have made her a fan favorite on Team USA. Her transparency and willingness to embrace her unique look have inspired others and solidified her status as a rising star in the world of figure skating.