Alysa Liu’s Bold Move: Will Lady Gaga’s Music Grace the Olympic Ice in 2026?
U.S. figure skating sensation Alysa Liu recently captivated audiences at the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships with a daring new free skate routine set to the electrifying music of Lady Gaga. But here’s where it gets intriguing: despite the program’s undeniable flair, Liu has hinted that it’s unlikely to make its way to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. And this is the part most people miss—the journey of this program has been anything but straightforward.
In a candid interview with Olympics.com’s Gracie Gold, Liu shared insights into her creative process. She revealed that while the Lady Gaga program was a passion project, it’s not her top choice for the Olympics. “I don’t even think I’m going to do it at the Olympics,” Liu admitted. “But I really wanted to perform it at least once. I’ve always had my heart set on MacArthur Park for the individual free skate event.”
The Lady Gaga program, which the 20-year-old debuted in September, originally featured the iconic track Bloody Mary. However, it underwent multiple revisions due to music rights complications. “I initially wanted the orchestral version, but you can’t just use someone’s YouTube rendition,” Liu explained. “So, no orchestral, no Bloody Mary—that was the reality.”
Despite completing the Gaga program before December’s Grand Prix Final—which she won with her signature MacArthur Park routine—Liu chose to unveil it at the U.S. Championships instead. “I was practicing MacArthur Park twice a week, but the rest of the time was dedicated to the Lady Gaga program,” she said, offering a glimpse into her rigorous training regimen.
When it comes to Milano Cortina 2026, Liu remains steadfast in her vision. “It was always going to be MacArthur Park,” she affirmed. She also teased a revamped costume design, promising a metallic look with a fresh, modern twist.
But here’s the controversial part: Is Liu making the right call by shelving the Lady Gaga program for the Olympics? Some fans argue that the bold, contemporary vibe of Gaga’s music could bring a unique edge to her performance. Others believe sticking with MacArthur Park is a safer, more tried-and-true strategy. What do you think? Should Alysa take a risk and bring Lady Gaga to the Olympic stage, or is MacArthur Park the way to go? Let us know in the comments!
Meanwhile, in other skating news, Amber Glenn secured her third consecutive U.S. title, while Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov claimed back-to-back pairs crowns. As a reminder, athletes’ participation in Milano Cortina 2026 depends on their selection by their respective National Olympic Committees, which hold exclusive authority for country representation at the Games.
