The Secret Meaning Behind Alysa Liu’s Unique Hair & How She’ll Change It ‘Every Year’
Alysa Liu is the perfect representation of a rockstar figure skater. After she made headlines for winning gold in figure skating for women’s free skate, she became an icon in “alternative” beauty and style.
While most women figure skaters are known to sport pristine buns and dance to very predictable classics and pop songs, Alysa Liu subverts the norm. She’s danced to Mitski, Laufey, and Donna Summer, publicly talks about her love for anime, and smiles widely with her smiley frenulum piercing. Her hair has become a focal point in all of her photos. But what’s the real meaning behind the unique pattern?
Related: Alysa Liu’s Dad Spent Nearly $1M on Her Figure Skating Career: ‘I Spared No Money’
What’s the meaning behind Alysa Liu’s hair?
Alysa Liu revealed that her hair was dyed in that certain way because she was inspired by the rings on trees. “I just want to be a tree,” Liu told Paralympian Haven Shepherd in a TikTok interview. “Three years ago, I put my first one and I thought ‘Oh, next year, around this time, end of December, I’ll put the second one.’” It’s been three years since she started the tradition, which means she currently has three stripes.
“I originally actually wanted raccoon stripes three years ago, but I was like, ‘Too much, too long and it’s going to be hard to upkeep,’” Liu said, per USA Today. “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. It just grows out, and then so this year, I just did the same thing. I’m just gonna keep adding one every time.”
Liu previously did the hairstripes herself as a natural brunette, but recruited St. Louis hairstylist Kelsey Miller to touch her hair up with the platinum blonde locks we know today. “Figure skating gives off the persona of sophistication, grace, and elegance,” Miller told The Fader. “[But Liu proves] you can still be those things and skate while being your true self and rocking your personality. You can listen to alternative music and wear dark eyeliner under your eyes. When you watch her skate, she skates so gracefully, and you can truly tell it’s her passion. It’s amazing watching the two worlds collide.”
When she has her skates off, she’s also a really good person to talk to in the salon chair. :What an experience to have this babe in my chair!” Miller wrote on Instagram. “I could have listen to her stories alllll nite. She was humble, down to earth, strong willed, hilarious, smart, compassionate! @alysaxliu you are an inspiration and I will never forget this experience. I hope the world never lets you down or tries to take your sparkle away from you!
