> At a Glance
> – Alysa Liu, 20, won gold at the 2025 World Championships after retiring at 16
> – She stepped away in April 2022 craving “normal” teenage life and control over her career
> – Now skates on her own terms, designing costumes and picking music
> – Why it matters: Her return redefines athlete autonomy and sets up a 2026 Olympic bid
Four years after walking away from figure skating, Alysa Liu is back on top-this time calling every jump, costume note, and playlist pick herself.
The Break That Reset Everything
Liu retired at 16 with a bronze from the 2022 Worlds and a sixth-place Olympic finish under her belt. She had never picked her own program music, chosen a dress, or attended a birthday party.
> Liu told NBC News:
> “I was literally just like a dress-up doll.”
So she moved out of the Olympic Training Center dorm, got her driver’s license, and spent 18 months doing “normal” things: family vacations, driving siblings to school, celebrating Christmas.
A Spark on the Slopes
A January 2024 ski trip to Lake Tahoe delivered the adrenaline rush she didn’t know she missed. By March she announced her comeback; a year later she stood atop the Boston worlds podium.
| Season | Olympic/World Result | Personal Control |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 6th Olympics, 3rd Worlds | Coach-chosen programs |
| 2024-25 | 1st Worlds, 1st Grand Prix Final | Self-designed programs |
“Alysa 2.0” in Charge
Coach Phillip DiGuglielmo says the reboot is real:
- She vetoed 15 music edits before settling on her short-program track
- The U.S. Championships dress flew back to the designer multiple times
- She now sets her training schedule and travel plans
> DiGuglielmo:
> “She exercises her right all the time.”
Key Takeaways
- Liu’s hiatus gave her the social connections and autonomy she craved
- Her post-return gold medals prove stepping away can fuel performance
- Full ownership of her career has replaced the “dress-up doll” era
- The 2026 Milan Cortina Games are next on her self-directed roadmap
Skating “fully for myself,” Liu heads into this week’s U.S. Championships eyeing official selection to Team USA-a spot she plans to secure on her own terms.
