Editor's note: Alysa Liu wins Olympic gold in women's figure skating.
MILAN — For those watching figure skating for the first time at the 2026 Winter Olympics, you may notice the unique style of Team USA's Alysa Liu.
The women's singles skater is making her second Olympic appearance, but this time around is much different, as she is skating on her own terms, flourishing as a 20-year-old with a chance to finish at the top of the podium. Part of that means taking creative control of every aspect of her performance, and that includes the hair and the little shiny thing on her teeth.
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So what is it, and what's the story behind it? Here's what to know about Liu:
Alysa Liu's teeth: Are those gems?
They may look like it, but those are not gems on Liu's teeth. It's actually a prominent frenulum piercing, connected on the upper part of her gums. It's noticeable given how much she smiles, and it's commonly known as the "smiley" piercing.
There's an interesting story of how she got it: Liu did it herself.
"I had my sister hold up my lip and I was looking in the mirror and I had my piercing needle and yeah, just put it through," she said.
Alysa Liu's hair
You can't forget about the hair. Liu sports a halo design, likening herself to a tree. It's been a regular thing she has done, adding a new halo each time.
"I originally actually wanted raccoon stripes three years ago, but I was like, 'too much, too long and it's going to be hard to upkeep,'" Liu told reporters in January. "Then I thought, I kind of want to be a tree, add a new ring every year, and so I did my second one the next year. It just grows out, and then so this year, I just did the same thing. I'm just gonna keep adding one every time."
When does Alysa Liu compete at 2026 Winter Olympics?
Liu was part of the U.S. squad that won gold in the team event, and she'll compete in the women's singles skating:
- Tuesday, Feb. 17: short program
- Wednesday, Feb. 18: free skate
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What's on Alysa Liu's teeth? The story behind figure skater's style
