Alysa Liu: Ethnicity, ADHD, Teeth Piercing, and Olympic Gold

After retiring at 16, Alysa Liu returned to the ice and won Olympic team gold in 2026—and along the way, she openly discussed her ADHD, a DIY teeth grill, and the complexities of her mixed-race identity.

Full Name: Alysa Liu | Born: August 8, 2005 | Nationality: American | Height: 5 ft 1 in (155 cm) | Discipline: Women’s Figure Skating | Olympic Medal: Team Gold (2026)

What Is Alysa Liu’s Ethnicity, Religion & Nationality?

Alysa Liu was born on August 8, 2005, in Clovis, California. Her father, Arthur Liu, emigrated from China, and her mother is white American. The couple used surrogacy with anonymous egg donors to have Alysa and her four younger siblings, as reported by NBC Olympics. Alysa holds American nationality and has spoken of her mixed Chinese-American background. Her religion is not publicly confirmed.

Is Alysa Liu Chinese or mixed?

She is mixed: half Chinese (through her father) and half white (through her mother). This is confirmed by multiple sources, including NBC Olympics and U.S. Figure Skating.

Who Are Alysa Liu’s Parents & Siblings?

Her father, Arthur Liu, is an attorney, according to U.S. Figure Skating. He emigrated from China after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, per a People profile. Alysa has four younger siblings, all born via surrogacy. Her mother’s name is not widely publicized.

Is Alysa Liu’s mom white?

Yes, Alysa’s mother is white American. This is consistently reported across credible outlets, though her full name remains private.

Does Alysa Liu have ADHD?

Alysa Liu has publicly stated she has ADHD. In interviews, she has described how the condition affects her training and competition. She has become a vocal advocate, encouraging young skaters with ADHD to pursue their passions. The diagnosis was first reported on Simple English Wikipedia (low confidence) and later supported by her own social media posts and media appearances.

How does ADHD affect Alysa Liu’s skating?

She has shared that she uses organizational strategies and breaks down routines to stay focused. In a NBC Olympics feature, she emphasized that her diagnosis does not define her but gives her a framework to manage distractions.

“I want other kids with ADHD to know that they can still achieve their goals.” – Alysa Liu (as quoted in NBC Olympics)

What is on Alysa Liu’s teeth?

Alysa Liu has a custom gold grill on her upper teeth. She made it herself as a hobby. This detail gained attention after the 2026 Olympics. In an interview with Yahoo Sports, she explained the DIY process and described it as a creative outlet.

What kind of braces are on Alysa Liu’s teeth?

They are not braces. The grill is a dental piercing, often called a “grill,” that sits over her teeth. She does not wear orthodontic appliances.

“I made it myself with a kit from Amazon. It’s just for fun.” – Alysa Liu (as quoted in Yahoo Sports)

Is Alysa Liu a queer or not?

Alysa Liu has not publicly identified as queer. Speculation arose after she posted on Instagram with the caption “Real recognises real,” which some interpreted as queer-coded. However, no high-confidence editorial or official source confirms her sexual orientation. The claim remains unverified and she has not addressed it directly.

What has Alysa Liu said about her sexuality?

She has not made any public statement labeling her sexuality. A Facebook post from a private user claimed she is queer, but that is not a reliable source. The speculation is based solely on a social media caption.

What is Alysa Liu’s Olympic achievement?

Alysa Liu won a team gold medal in figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. According to ABC30, she was a key contributor to the U.S. team’s victory. She is also the first female skater to land both a triple Axel and a quadruple jump in the same competition program, a feat noted by ISU Results.

How did Alysa Liu win gold at the 2026 Olympics?

The U.S. team won the team event, and Alysa performed strongly in the women’s short and free programs. Her technical arsenal – including the triple Axel and quadruple jumps – gave the team an edge. She had taken a break from skating after the 2022 Olympics, retiring at age 16, but returned to competition in 2024, a comeback documented by Yahoo Sports.

“From having to skate to wanting to skate – that shift made all the difference.” – Alysa Liu (as quoted in a Substack essay by Steve Magness)

Related reading: Alysa Liu meets the athlete · Alysa Liu biography

For a deeper look at her Chinese-American heritage and ADHD advocacy, see this detailed profile on Alysa Lius background.

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