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Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu has opened up about a frightening experience she recently endured at an airport, highlighting the challenges that can come with sudden fame. The 20-year-old, who won two gold medals at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, shared the incident with her followers on Instagram early Thursday morning.
"So I land at the airport, & there's a crowd waiting at the exit with cameras & things for me to sign. All up in my personal space. Someone chased me to my car bruh," Liu wrote. She concluded her post with a plea, adding, "Please do not do that to me."
Liu's rise to stardom has been meteoric. She first earned gold as part of the U.S. team figure skating competition and later captured the women's singles title, becoming the first U.S. women's skater to win a singles gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002. Her dazzling performances in Milan captivated audiences in Italy and fans back home in the United States.
Since returning, Liu has been navigating both celebration and attention. She appeared on NBC's "Today" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," and her homecoming included recognition from Delta flight attendants, who applauded her and announced her arrival over the loudspeaker at San Francisco International Airport. Gifts, gold streamers, and cheers from the crowd further marked her return. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee also confirmed that the city plans a "community-wide celebration to honor Olympic gold medalist and Oakland's hometown hero Alysa Liu," noting that "Alysa represents the heart, grit, resilience, and joy of Oakland."
Despite the attention and celebrations, Liu has highlighted the importance of maintaining personal space and a sense of balance. She has expressed a desire to keep her life as consistent and calm as possible, focusing on preserving her peace and prioritizing privacy amid the heightened public scrutiny.
Her Instagram post came shortly after Liu had alerted fans about fake social media accounts impersonating her and attempting to scam followers, a challenge that has emerged alongside her increased fame. Despite these pressures, she took some time for rest and personal downtime after the Olympics, returning home for several days without media obligations or commitments, reconnecting with friends, and resuming skating on her own terms.
