Alysa Liu Reveals How Taylor Swift Played a Role in Her Figure Skating Olympic Gold Medal: ‘I Think That’s Why We Won’
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Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Alysa Liu gave Taylor Swift a special shoutout when presenting her with the Artist of the Year honor at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 26
- The Team USA figure skater credited the pop star for her gold medal wins at the 2026 Winter Olympics
- Liu won two gold medals at the Milan Games in February, including the women's individual singles figure skating title and the team event with Team USA
Alysa Liu is beyond humble.
The 20-year-old figure skating star praised Taylor Swift when presenting her with the Artist of the Year award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Thursday, March 26, and credited the pop star for contributing to her gold medal win at the 2026 Milan Olympics.
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While speaking on stage, Liu — whose appearance at the event comes fresh off her victorious run with Team USA at the Winter Games in February — recalled the Olympic video Swift narrated to introduce the "Blade Angels," a trio of U.S. skaters including Liu, Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito.
Alysa Liu at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards.Credit: Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty
"She is the G.O.A.T. of music,” the Olympian said of Swift, 36, at the award show, adding, "She lent her voice and music by narrating a video introducing me and the other 'Blade Angels.' I gotta say, I think that’s why we won."
Swift, who was joined by her fiancé Travis Kelce to make their award show debut together as a couple, was visibly taken aback by the compliment when the cameras flashed at her in the audience alongside the Kansas City Chiefs star. She covered her face with her hands, blushing at the remark.
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The Olympic introduction video Liu mentioned kicked off with each figure skater's silhouette, as Swift said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to Amber, Alysa and Isabeau."
The Grammy winner then called the women "three American showgirls on ice," a nod to her latest hit album, The Life of a Showgirl, and added that their stories would "capture your heart."
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards.Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty
"Amber will be the first to tell you about how many battles she's fought, and how the ones she's lost have meant as much as the wins," Swift said in the clip of 26-year-old Glenn. "Her superpower now is embracing the fight and daring the world to test her self-belief."
"As for Alysa, she walked away from skating when she was 16, then came back on her own terms. Joy fuels her now. Every jump, a celebration. Every performance, a testament to the beauty to know yourself," Swift said of Liu, who previously announced her retirement after the 2022 Beijing Games.
"And then Isabeau. I mean, she's destiny personified," the "Fate of Ophelia" singer said. "Her mom grew up in Milan, and her nonna, her grandma, lives exactly 13 minutes from the Olympic rink. When you can skate like you're meant to be out there, history has a fun way of showing up."
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Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards.Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty
"They're teammates and friends. They call themselves the Blade Angels, and tomorrow night, they're taking center stage when the show starts in Milan," the video concluded.
In Milan, the multi-time medalist — who sported her signature "halo" bleached hair at the award how — won gold in women's singles figure skating and in the team event at the Winter Olympics, marking the first women's figure skating gold medal in the U.S. since Sarah Hughes in 2002.
Liu has been candid about navigating fame and success, and previously told PEOPLE that despite her wins, she doesn't advise anyone to chase after titles.
"My goal is always to share my story and to connect with people," she said at the time, "to have my experiences, turn them into a performance, and have my emotions be a part of that and get people to feel something."
As for Swift, attending the iHeartRadio Music Awards marked her first time at the event in three years. She wore a striking seafoam green two-piece corset and skirt set from Wiederhorft with bejeweled detailing, which she paired with Jimmy Choo heels.
The "Opalite" singer was the most nominated artist this year, coming into the award show with nine nominations and leaving with seven. Among the awards she took home include Pop Album of the Year, Album of the Year, Pop Song of the Year and Best Lyrics.
Swift appeared at the show in 2024 to accept Artist of the Year, but sent a pre-recorded acceptance speech about how grateful she was to receive the honor because she couldn't attend. She did the same last year when accepting the Tour of the Century Award for her record-breaking Eras Tour.
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