Alysa Liu Just Made History — Now She’s Facing Backlash Over a Tattoo

Maggie EkbergSat, February 28, 2026 at 12:49 AM UTC

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(Photo by Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Alysa Liu just made history on Olympic ice. The 20-year-old became the first U.S. women’s figure skater to win gold since 2002, ending a decades-long drought. But days after her triumphant performance, the conversation online shifted from medals to something far more personal: her lower-back tattoo.

At the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Liu delivered a stunning free skate, earning a 226.79 and securing gold. She also helped Team USA capture gold in the team event, and her Instagram following skyrocketed from under one million to more than six million in a matter of weeks, according to Sports Illustrated.

As interest in her life intensified, the young star addressed her relationship status in a January 7 Cosmopolitan interview. “That’s a whole other thing that I’m not feeling right now,” she said, explaining that she’s content focusing on herself and her career. She added, “I love being single, I really do.”

But the online curiosity didn’t stop there.

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On February 26, an image of a lower-back tattoo — previously seen in a TikTok dance video — began circulating. Some speculated about its meaning, with unconfirmed claims that it resembled ‘Baphomet,' a symbol often associated with occult imagery.

The internet responded instantly. “Whatever, it's her life and that ain't no Baphomet image,” said one fan. Another stated: “Tattoos are a personal choice, and they don’t change who someone is or what they’ve accomplished. It’s wild how quick people are to judge something that doesn’t affect them at all.”

Many continued to defend the Olympic champion. “Her body, her rules. You could do whatever you want if you're #1,” chimed in a third. “Backlash for a back tat is crazy,” someone else pointed out. The post gained traction on Facebook as well, where fans continued to support Liu, though a few critics remained.

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“It’s OK we’ll just pray for her,” one person wrote. “She looks evil,” another claimed, while someone else added, “As the saying goes, ‘You don't see a bumper sticker on a Porsche.’” One particularly frustrated commenter declared, “I CAN'T BELIEVE I SUPPORTED HER AND THOUGHT SHE HAD A GOOD VIBE !!!!”

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The online reaction to Liu’s lower-back tattoo isn’t the only time she has faced public scrutiny — she also drew attention for a mouth piercing that becomes visible when she smiles. In an interview with NBC New York, later shared on the outlet’s Instagram, the California native explained that she pierced her frenulum “a little over two years ago." While some fans were unfazed, others commented, “No 😢,” and “I wish she’d take it out.”

And she’s far from the only athlete navigating that kind of internet blowback. Earlier this week, rugby star Ilona Maher posted a training video on Instagram set to “Let’s Go” by Trick Daddy, responding to critics who questioned why she wears makeup while working out.

Text on the clip read, “Why do you wear makeup when you train?” before flashing to her lifting weights and doing pull-ups with the response: “Why not? Not like it’s making me weaker.” In the caption, she added, “My mascara ain’t making my muscles smaller or my work ethic non existent.”

Meanwhile, figure skater Amber Glenn revealed she received what she called a “scary amount” of hate after speaking out online and encouraging LGBTQ+ people to stay strong during “troubling times” for the community. Glenn also said she would limit her presence on social media as a result.

And during the 2024 Paris Olympics, Simone Biles clapped back at critics obsessing over her hair, telling followers, “Don’t come for me about my hair.”

This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”