Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu is asking for a little breathing room after a recent airport encounter got way too intense. The 20-year-old figure skating star, fresh off her huge run at the 2026 Winter Olympics, shared on Instagram that she was actually chased to her car after landing.
Liu explained that when she exited the airport, a group of people were already waiting with cameras and items to sign. She said the crowd quickly got too close for comfort. According to People, the situation escalated when someone followed her all the way to her car.
“Someone chased me to my car bruh,” Liu wrote on her Instagram Story, asking fans not to repeat the experience. We’ve seen before how athletes can suddenly find themselves in the middle of intense public attention when major sports stories unfold. Liu also said fans were “all up in my personal space” during the encounter.
Yeah, getting chased to your car after a flight is a lot
Liu’s Olympic run in Milan turned her into one of the biggest stories of the Games. She captured two gold medals, including the women’s singles title with a routine set to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park” on February 19.
Since returning from Italy, her schedule has looked more like a celebrity press tour than an athlete’s offseason. Liu has been spotted across New York City making media appearances, meeting actor Daniel Radcliffe, and even visiting Simu Liu and the cast of a Broadway show. She also landed the cover of a major teen magazine, another sign her profile is exploding.
Still, Liu has been open about the complicated side of all that attention. Shortly after winning gold, she admitted she’s still figuring out what it means to suddenly be seen as a role model. “I’m not really sure if I want to be one,” she said at the time, before adding with a laugh, “but I guess I am.” That honesty has become part of Liu’s appeal.
Fans love the talent, but they also appreciate how real she is about the pressure that comes with success. Liu’s own career path proves that point. She famously stepped away from competitive skating at just 16, only to return two years later and eventually reach the top of the Olympic podium.
Because of that journey, her advice to younger fans is less about medals and more about personal growth. She has encouraged people not to force themselves into things they don’t actually enjoy. Instead, Liu says it’s better to experiment, try different interests, and simply gain life experience.
She also stresses that taking breaks is part of the process. “Taking breaks is okay,” Liu shared, adding that stepping back sometimes helps you see the bigger picture. For someone who just conquered the Olympic stage at 20, that might be the most impressive message she’s delivered yet.
Published: Mar 6, 2026 12:15 pm