At the 2026 United States Figure Skating Championships held on Friday, Jan. 9, Alysa Liu solidified her reputation as both a powerhouse on the ice and a dedicated “Little Monster.”
With the Winter Olympics in Italy looming just weeks away, the 20-year-old skating sensation surprised the audience by debuting a vibrant new routine. Set to a medley of Lady Gaga’s iconic hits, “Paparazzi” and “Bad Romance,” Liu took to the ice in a shimmering silver ensemble. Her performance was a masterclass in technical precision, featuring a series of breathtaking jumps and intricate spins that left the crowd and judges in awe.
As Lady Gaga’s powerful vocals echoed through the Enterprise Center, Liu channeled the music’s raw energy into her choreography, letting her emotions guide every movement. Her artistic effort earned her a total score of 228.91, securing a second-place finish just behind gold medalist Amber Glenn.
Liu is officially slated to head to Milan with Team USA for the Winter Games, which kick off on Feb. 6. However, she indicated to Olympics.com that fans shouldn’t expect to see this specific Gaga tribute in Italy. She explained that while she felt a strong desire to perform the routine at least once during the U.S. Championships, it likely won’t be part of her Olympic repertoire.
This isn’t the first time Liu has drawn inspiration from the pop icon. She previously utilized Gaga’s “Wednesday” anthem, “Bloody Mary,” for a routine before copyright restrictions forced a change. Her musical selection process has faced other hurdles this season as well; in September, she overhauled her short program to remove a collaboration between D4vd and Laufey. That decision came after a troubling news report involving the discovery of a body in a vehicle belonging to the artist in Los Angeles.
Addressing the change on Instagram, Liu shared that she and her coaching staff were moving in a new direction that better represents her personal values and “overall ethos.” She emphasized her commitment to a creative process that feels authentic and unhurried.
Experience Alysa Liu’s tribute to Lady Gaga in the video below:
