Gold medal-winning figure skater Alysa Liu is back in the Bay Area, and sightings are sending fans into a frenzy.<\/p>\n
Liu recently revealed ties to Emeryville that had not been widely known. In a TikTok comment, she clarified where she grew up, addressing confusion from online sources.<\/p>\n
\u201cI grew up in Oakland yall lol google is often wrong about me. I will say my family moved around a lot, damn near every 2 years. So besides Oakland we have lived in san pablo richmond antioch albany even emeryville at some point. I\u2019ve spent 80% of my life in Oakland, still living there rn (right now).\u201d<\/p>\n
Alysa Liu via TikTok<\/p>\n
While Liu\u2019s Oakland roots are well established, this is perhaps the first time she\u2019s specifically listed Emeryville as a former residence.<\/p>\n
The skater was spotted at the Emeryville-Oakland Target on Saturday, running errands and pausing for a photo with West Oakland gym owner Camilo Riveros near the men\u2019s hygiene section. Riveros described Liu as \u201csweet, down-to-earth, and kind to everyone,\u201d noting that she didn\u2019t act \u201ctoo big\u201d to speak with fans.<\/p>\n
However, Liu\u2019s newfound fame hasn\u2019t been without challenges. After returning from the airport last week, she was mobbed by fans, prompting her to push back on violating her personal space<\/a>. \u201cSomeone chased me to my car\u00a0bruh. Please do not do that to me.\u201d <\/p>\n To navigate her rising celebrity, Liu has occasionally been spotted wearing a hat or headscarf to obscure her signature \u201cHalo\u201d hairstyle that makes her instantly recognizable.<\/p>\n @tbaabyy28<\/a> So dope! Not everyday you get to meet a gold medalist & from your hometown! She made the #bayarea<\/a> so proud!! Congratulations #alysaliu<\/a> #foryoupage<\/a> #goldmedal<\/a> #olympics<\/a> \u266c MacArthur Park \u2013 Single Version \u2013 Donna Summer<\/a> <\/p>\n Oakland has embraced Liu\u2019s success in other visible ways. A large mural of her was recently completed by the Illuminaries graffiti collective at 43rd and Telegraph in the nearby Temescal District. Fenton\u2019s Creamery created a unique flavor in her honor offering her<\/a> \u201cfree ice cream for life.\u201d<\/p>\n