Alysa Liu trades the ice for a poolside dreamscape in Laufey’s new “Madwoman” music video, a stylized clip that quickly drew a large online audience after the singer performed the song live for the first time over the weekend at Coachella.
The video, released Monday, April 13, casts Liu in a retro tableau alongside “Heated Rivalry” actor Hudson Williams, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” star Lola Tung and Katseye member Megan Skiendiel.
Directed by Warren Fu, the clip leans heavily on 1960s and 1970s visual references, staging its action in a manicured, sun-soaked poolside setting that feels both glamorous and slightly surreal. It drew more than 2 million views in under 12 hours after its release.
For Liu, the appearance extends a public connection with Laufey that has grown over the past year. The Oakland-raised skater used the Icelandic jazz-pop singer’s music in competition programs during her Olympic run, which culminated in a gold medal in Milan.
In the video, Liu appears as part of Laufey’s inner circle, dressed in period-inspired fashion and framed in scenes that blend synchronized glamour with hints of unease.
“Growing up, I felt a general lack of representation for people who looked like me in music and media. With the ‘Madwoman’ video, I wanted to be that representation,” Laufey said in a statement. “The result is what honestly feels like my absolute dream video and exactly what younger Laufey would have loved to see.”
The video includes references to Slim Aarons, “In the Mood for Love” and “Mad Men,” along with brief cameos from Havana Rose Liu and Chase Sui Wonders.
Alysa Liu’s expanding cultural presence has also drawn praise from within the skating world. Kristi Yamaguchi, the 1992 Olympic champion, recently reflected on her gold-medal performance at the Winter Olympics, calling it “inspiring.”
“Closing out the Olympics with Alysa Liu and her incredible feat, for her to come out and skate the way she did so joyously and with such positivity all around was inspiring,” Yamaguchi said in an interview with People. “I’ve always watched her with a smile on my face.”