OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) — Sports stars and music celebrities with Oakland roots turned out to celebrate with The Town’s new hometown hero, Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu.
Outside City Hall Thursday, 7,000 energetic fans erupted into cheers as Liu walked on stage sporting her iconic striped hair and two Olympic gold medals around her neck. “What’s up Oakland?” Liu said.
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In typical laid-back Liu style, the Olympian did not have a speech prepared for her homecoming celebration.
“But I don’t need one. I want to thank you for showing up and showing out, this is crazy!” Liu told the crowd. “I see so many people. I love Oakland, I’ve been here all my life. I literally walked through here every day … from the rink over there.”
Alysa Liu holds two gold medals during a rally on March 12, 2026 in Oakland. (Photo by Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images)
Liu may have been star-struck herself when Olympic figure skating legend Kristi Yamaguchi appeared on stage to congratulate her. Yamaguchi said of Liu’s 2026 Olympic performance, “She stepped out onto the ice with such confidence, with joy, and most importantly, with her true self.”
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Liu, 20, said she listens to hip-hop music to get herself pumped-up for skating competitions. Fans were on their feet dancing when Grammy award winning singer and Oakland native Kehlani delivered a surprise performance singing one of her many hit songs.
Kehlani, left, and Alysa Liu appear on stage for a homecoming rally outside Oakland City Hall on March 12, 2026.
Kehlani gave a shout-out to students in the crowd who attend Oakland School for the Arts, where Kehlani graduated, and gave Liu a congratulatory hug.
Sway Calloway, another native of Oakland and former MTV News host, served as emcee for Thursday’s celebration rally. “This is what Oakland is about!” Calloway said.
Musical artist Kehlani, left, embraces Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu during a rally on March 12, 2026 in Oakland/ (Photo by Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images)
A recorded video message from the Bay Area’s biggest sports celebrity, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, played for the crowd. “From one gold medal winner to another, just want to say keep doing your thing. Keep representing the Bay. And we love you,” Curry said.
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Liu famously walked away from her sport after competing as a 16-year-old prodigy at the Beijing Olympic Games. She was burned out from childhood that revolved around practicing at Oakland Ice Center. Liu became her own person, one whose individualism has made her a hero to many.
She broke every mold for a figure skater and launched a comeback two years ago, this time doing things her way.
Alysa Liu name pronunciation: Are you saying it wrong?
Her personality stood out at the Milan Cortina Olympics last month, skating with a carefree attitude and beaming smile. Audiences around the world noticed and she quickly became a fan-favorite.
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After winning two gold medals, Liu said she hopes to use her mega-fame as a platform to raise awareness about mental health in sports and inspire others. Looking out at young faces in the crowd outside Oakland City Hall, Liu held up her medals and said, “This is for y’all.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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