If figure skating ever needed a rockstar moment, Alysa Liu just delivered it wearing sequins and skating blades.
At the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, the 20-year-old Olympic-bound phenom debuted a jaw-dropping routine set to Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” and “Bad Romance.” Yes, those songs. And yes, it worked — spectacularly.
Wrapped in a shimmering silver leotard that screamed performance (not practice), Liu blended technical dominance with theatrical swagger, hitting massive jumps while letting Gaga’s drama spill into every turn and spin. The result? A performance that felt less like a competition routine and more like a pop-culture crossover event.
She finished with 228.91 points, landing second overall — but let’s be honest, she won the internet.
Gaga Energy, Olympic Precision
Lady Gaga is no stranger to dominating big stages. Between multiple Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s, 13 Grammy Awards, an Oscar, and albums like The Fame Monster and Born This Way permanently etched into pop history, Gaga’s music is built for spectacle. Translating that energy to Olympic-level skating isn’t easy — but Liu pulled it off with confidence and control.
The routine won’t make its way to Milan for the Winter Olympics (Liu has already confirmed it was a “now or never” moment), but that almost makes it better. This was a gift for the fans. A flex. A reminder that elite athletes still get to have fun.
A Champion in Her Own Right
Let’s not lose the plot here: Alysa Liu is already a champion. National titles, international medals, and a résumé that most skaters would kill for — all before hitting her mid-20s. She’s heading to the Olympics as one of Team USA’s brightest hopes, and performances like this show why.
Also — and we’ll say this respectfully — she’s absolutely stunning on the ice. Grace, power, presence. If this is what modern figure skating looks like, we may or may not suddenly be watching a lot more Olympic skating this year.
Why This Matters
This routine wasn’t just about music choice. It was about expression, ownership, and showing that elite sports don’t have to feel sterile. Liu didn’t skate to Gaga — she skated with her.
And if this convinces even a few new fans to tune into figure skating during the Winter Games? Mission accomplished.
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