Alysa Liu has been on the road, from Milan to the “Today” show (opens in new tab) in New York to Paris Fashion Week (opens in new tab), but on Thursday, she was back home in Oakland for a sunshine-filled party in her honor. And it seemed like the whole city turned out at Frank Ogawa Plaza in front of City Hall to celebrate the Olympic gold medalist.
Ice skating legend Kristi Yamaguchi was there. Kehlani, one of Oakland’s biggest musicians, showed up for a surprise performance that blew away the crowd. Students from the Oakland School of the Arts, alma mater to Liu and Kehlani, screamed in celebration.
One after another, Bay Area celebrities saluted Liu for her determination, hard work, and Bay Area brand of unabashed joy.
“I want to thank you so much for showing up and showing out. This is craaaaaazy,” Liu told the crowd. “I see so many people! I love Oakland! I’ve been here all my life!”
“My environment did shape me, because this is such a great place,” Liu said of Oakland. | Source: Miles Cull for The Standard
Liu remained humble, attentive and kind as she watched her hometown lose its collective mind over her. At one point, during a dance performance by U.S. Shaolin Kung Fu, an Oakland group, some students began screaming and waving at Liu, who kindly directed their attention to the dancers instead. Her character was on full display.
“She is fearless, she is focused, and she is fully herself,” Mayor Barbara Lee said, presenting Liu with a key to the city, just a few blocks away from the Oakland Ice Center where Liu trained her whole life.
Kehlani performs at Alysa Liu’s rally | Video by Michelle Daher
“She grew up here in our town, and now the entire world knows her name!”
Still, Liu still seemed somewhat surprised that she’s become an accidental role model to so many.
“Representation matters so much,” she said during a press conference ahead of the main event. “We don’t really realize it. Having one person is sometimes all you need and I’m honored and grateful that I can be that for some people.”
One of those people at the party was Everlee, 7, who wore a T-shirt that said: “Just a girl who loves ice skating.”
“She gives me my ice skating career and my goals,” Everlee said, proudly holding a poster with a photograph of herself and Liu, taken two years earlier at the Oakland Ice Center. “She works hard, she’s talented!”
Many revelers arrived hours before the celebration to snag good seats. Tons carried signs they had lovingly made for Liu. And a dedicated few paid homage to Liu’s hair.
Jennifer Le of Oakland was one of four women in matching wigs featuring the skater’s signature raccoon stripes.
“She makes me very proud!” Le said. “She brought so much joy to the world!”
Source: Miles Cull for The Standard
Source: Miles Cull for The Standard
Liu’s hair stylist, Corrina Hernandez, 51, owner of Pony Studios Co. (opens in new tab) in Oakland, said that there’s been an uptick in demand from customers who want to replicate Liu’s coiffure.
“We’ve had someone ask for the color, and the stripes, which is so her thing!” Hernandez said. “I just had someone say they just wanted bangs: ‘I want exactly what you gave to Alysa!’”
Party attendees said they were inspired by Liu’s authenticity.
“Coming from a humble background — she’s not rich! My kids used to skate at Oakland Ice Center. It’s just amazing,” said a resident named Iris. “I’m just so proud of her and her attitude about it. She retired and came back and is just here to have fun!”
Liu is being celebrated around the city. Children’s Fairyland on the shores of Lake Merritt will be renamed as “Fairyliu (opens in new tab)” for the rest of the month. Fenton’s Creamery has created a new flavor, “Alysa’s Gold (opens in new tab),” which has crushed Golden Oreos in a caramel base, finished with a caramel swirl. The shop also has promised Liu that she can have free ice cream for life.
Carol and Cherie Finular take a selfie during the celebration. | Source: Miles Cull for The Standard
And Liu’s distinctive grin (opens in new tab) has been captured in a mural in north Oakland — replacing an image of Klay Thompson, who left the Warriors in 2024.
As the celebration wound down on Thursday, fans lingered in the sunshine, their own grins wide across their faces. They weren’t ready to stop celebrating Liu just yet.
“We have a young sister who has shown us what it means to live life with excellence and beauty in her own terms,” Rep. Lateefah Simon, a Democrat from Oakland, said during the event. “She is an American hero!”