In a surprising twist, U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu has suggested that her captivating new free skate routine set to Lady Gaga's music may not see the light of day at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. This revelation comes after she impressed audiences at the recent 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships with this bold performance.
During an exclusive discussion with Gracie Gold, a fellow Olympian and commentator for Olympics.com, Liu shared insights about her artistic choices. Despite her enthusiasm for the program, she candidly stated, "I don’t even think I’m going to do [it] at the Olympics. But I really wanted to perform it at least once... I always dreamed of showcasing MacArthur Park for my individual free skate event."
Having debuted her Lady Gaga-inspired routine back in September, it originally featured the popular track "Bloody Mary." However, the journey to finalize the performance was not without its challenges due to music rights complications. "Initially, I had my heart set on an orchestral version, but you can't just use someone’s orchestral arrangement of 'Bloody Mary' from YouTube," Liu explained. "So, without the orchestral accompaniment, 'Bloody Mary' was off the table; that’s how I envisioned it."
Although Liu had prepared the Gaga program ahead of her participation in December's Grand Prix Final—where she ultimately triumphed with her signature routine to MacArthur Park—she decided to reserve the Gaga piece for the U.S. Championships instead. "I practiced MacArthur Park about twice weekly, while the rest of my training revolved around the Lady Gaga program," she noted, reflecting on her competition preparations.
When it comes to her plans for Milano, Liu remains steadfast in her commitment: "It was always going to be MacArthur Park." Additionally, she hinted at a revamped costume design that maintains a metallic flair but introduces some exciting new elements.
- In another noteworthy event, Amber Glenn soared to her third consecutive U.S. title, showcasing her own remarkable talent and resilience.
- Meanwhile, Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov claimed back-to-back victories in the pairs category, adding to the thrill of the championships.
*It's important to note that athletes' participation in the Olympic Winter Games is contingent upon their respective National Olympic Committees selecting them to represent their country. Thus, Liu's Olympic journey will depend on this crucial decision.
