She's "best breakthrough" for a reason! Alysa Liu stole the show on the red carpet for the 2026 ESPY Awards.
The 20-year-old Olympian, who was awarded Best Breakthrough Athlete later in the ceremony, arrived for the proceedings in a gorgeous black Louis Vuitton gown.
© Getty ImagesAbandoning her famous golden bodysuit for an elegant, gothic floor-length fit, Alysa wore a dramatic cowl neck gown with a diamond-covered black cross necklace and her famously colored hair styled into an up-do.
The highlight of her look, however, wasn't even her actual styling, but it was her rarely-seen back tattoo! The dramatic backless silhouette of the gown showed off her elaborate lower back tattoo as well, with a separate dangling cross accessorizing it.
© Getty ImagesAlysa posted some snippets of the look on her Instagram page, and fans were clearly as obsessed as you'd think. Some of the comments include: "SHE'S THE PRETTIEST ABG!" and: "Girl everytime I see you, you look even prettier," as well as: "Champion on the ice. Icon on the carpet."
The two-time Olympic gold medalist took to the stage later tonight to receive her prize. "First of all, I'm really honored to be given this award," she told the room of fellow athletes.
"I've been in my sport since I was five years old, and I've had some really rough times in it. I took two years off, and so for me, this really feels like I broke through in my own way – for myself and for my sport. I love being an athlete."
© Getty ImagesTurning to her support system, she continued: "I couldn't have done it without my team. [Phillip DiGuglielmo, Massimo Scali], those are my two coaches, and they've really helped me through these two years. I feel like, mentally and physically, they helped me – I'm going to say "break through" again – but they really helped me break through."
It looks like effortless style comes pretty naturally to the young figure skater, whether it's her bling on the ice, or the muted red carpet glam. She recently told HELLO! that while she doesn't have a "signature" style per se, she does find the idea of expressing herself through her look enticing.
© Getty Images"I love to promote self-expression, and [also] if I'm able to, I guess pave the way, or show that you can do whatever you want with your hair, then that makes me really happy," she said of her signature ring-style hair.
Her distinct smiley piercing, which she proudly showed off at the ESPYs, is just as much a part of her identity as well. "I don't really label it. I have no idea what it is, to be honest, but I really value self-expression," she continued.
© Getty Images"It's one of my favorite things to do in life. I get to express it both on and off the ice, and they're different, but [it's] amazing."
