Alysa Liu is a Fangirl, Here’s Why That Matters

Alysa Liu is the 2026 Winter Olympic champion in both team and women’s figure skating singles. She’s also a fangirl. 

In an interview with Overtimewbb, Liu states that she loves My Little Pony and that her favorite character is Rainbow Dash (the obvious choice for a sporty girl with cool hair).  Even a glimpse at her Instagram shows Liu sporting Sanrio merch and cosplaying as Kusuo Saiki. But why would this matter when Liu’s most recent and notable achievement is taking home the first USA gold in women’s figure skating in 20 years? Because it exemplifies her message. 

Despite placing 7th in the 2024 Beijing Winter Olympics, Liu decided to retire at age sixteen. This came at the cost of her personal life. Between the constant training, controlled diet, and time apart from her family, Liu realized she wasn’t happy with the trajectory of her career. 

In a sport that focuses on perfection, both in terms of execution and physical appearance, it’s easy to see how a teenager could get lost in the world of competitive figure skating. 

This time away gave her the opportunity to focus on herself and her interests. She got her driver’s license, went to college, and traveled with her friends. Then on a ski trip, Liu realized she still had a passion for skating in her heart. Except this time she was going to do it on her own terms: she was going to have fun. 

Her freeskate set to Donna Summer’s version of “MacArthur Park” is a testament to her passion and not a grab for the gold. She spent the whole time gliding across the ice with a huge smile on her face. Even off the ice, she was celebrating with her competitors and sporting a Pochita (Chainsaw Man) plushy. What made Liu so successful was not skill alone, but an attitude of self-love and joy. 

“These titles are huge, but I don’t want them to overshadow who I am and what I do and what I am all about,” Liu said to NBC Olympics. That’s not to say that ice skating doesn’t take a lot of hard work and dedication, but there’s been a missing ingredient: self-expression. 

So what’s that have to do with being a fangirl? 

Fandom is all about self-expression. Everyone finds their own way to show their passion for fandom, whether it’s through art, writing, cosplay, or just keeping up with the latest news. 

Yet, much like figure skating, fandom has become a competition. Between cosplay contests, social media, and the corporatization of fandom, we can lose sight of the things that really matter. It’s easy to forget that fandom is something meant to be enjoyed rather than exploited. Even the etymology of the word fandom suggests that it is a state of being meant to be shared with others, rather than a list of achievements or online clout. 

Liu reminds us that success comes from the love of the game. Her attitude extends both to the ice and to wider fandom culture. So long as you’re being your most authentic self, and sharing your joy with others, then nothing else really matters.

Author: Abby Kirby

Abby Kirby is an English teacher and fan studies scholar. She holds an M.A. in Media and Cinema Communications from DePaul University.

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