US Olympic Figure Skater Alysa Liu's Stripe Hairstyle Has More Meaning Than You Think

U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu dazzled the world when she won a gold medal in women's free skate at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy, earning the country's first win in the event in 24 years. But along with mesmerizing audiences via her incredible routines, such as one set to Donna Summer's "MacArthur Park," the California-based athlete has struck people thanks to her unique style — particularly her hair. Consisting of alternating horizontal layers of dark brunette and blond, Liu's signature 'do (officially termed 'halo hair' by her stylist) seems reminiscent of the two-tone styles that are now considered an outdated 2000s trend many were happy to leave behind. However, for the athlete, the look holds more meaning that.

To satisfy fans' curiosity, Liu addressed the unique brown and blond rings that color her long hair. "I just want to be a tree," Liu said in a TikTok interview with Haven Shepherd on February 10, 2026. "Three years ago, I put my first one [in]," Liu went on, describing that she put the third ring in during December 2025. She explained that she did the dye job herself at home, but had to go to a salon to get the blonde brightened. Before her gold win, Liu spoke to Olympic reporters, per USA Today, who were also curious about her hair. Liu said she originally wanted raccoon stripes, then chose something more symbolic. "Then I thought, I kind of want to be a tree, add a new ring every year, and so I did my second one the next year," she said. "It just grows out, and then so this year, I just did the same thing. I'm just gonna keep adding one every time." 

Figure skating has long carried with it an aesthetic expectation of demure grace and beauty. As such, some people have complained that the dresses, makeup, and beauty expectations put on female skaters is too classical, even stuffy, at times. This makes Alysa Liu's unique skating look that much more remarkable. Personal style is so timeless and can be difficult to express, and the fact that Liu boldly celebrates hers is truly laudable. 

Along with sporting a fun hairstyle, it seems Liu is on track to join the ranks of celebrities who have flaunted some wild piercings, due her frenulum ring, sometimes called a "smiley" piercing, on the upper part of her gums. The unusual body art was prominent when Liu smiled and bit her gold medal. What makes the look even more striking is the fact that Liu did it herself. "I had my sister hold up my lip and I was looking in the mirror and I had my piercing needle and yeah, just put it through," Liu told Olympic reporters, according to USA Today.

It seem's clear Liu's creative self expression helped her win gold, and there's no doubt that her bold dye job will become a hair color trend on everyone's radar in 2026. Indeed, two-tone hair already made a comeback in 2023. That gold-medal style, so daringly owned by Liu, comes through in those extra details, like her hair and her piercing.