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OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) \u2014 Sports stars and music celebrities with Oakland roots turned out to celebrate with The Town\u2019s new hometown hero, Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu.<\/p>\n
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. \u201cWhat\u2019s up Oakland?\u201d Liu said.<\/p>\n
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In typical laid-back Liu style, the Olympian did not have a speech prepared for her homecoming celebration.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I don\u2019t need one. I want to thank you for showing up and showing out, this is crazy!\u201d Liu told the crowd. \u201cI see so many people. I love Oakland, I\u2019ve been here all my life. I literally walked through here every day \u2026 from the rink over there.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Alysa Liu holds two gold medals during a rally on March 12, 2026 in Oakland. (Photo by Benjamin Fanjoy\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Liu may have been star-struck herself when Olympic figure skating legend Kristi Yamaguchi appeared on stage to congratulate her. Yamaguchi said of Liu\u2019s 2026 Olympic performance, \u201cShe stepped out onto the ice with such confidence, with joy, and most importantly, with her true self.\u201d<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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Kehlani, left, and Alysa Liu appear on stage for a homecoming rally outside Oakland City Hall on March 12, 2026.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Sway Calloway, another native of Oakland and former MTV News host, served as emcee\u00a0for Thursday\u2019s celebration rally. \u201cThis is what Oakland is about!\u201d Calloway said.<\/p>\n
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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)<\/p>\n
A recorded video message from the Bay Area\u2019s biggest sports celebrity, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, played for the crowd. \u201cFrom one gold medal winner to another, just want to say keep doing your thing. Keep representing the Bay. And we love you,\u201d Curry said.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
She broke every mold for a figure skater and launched a comeback two years ago, this time doing things her way.<\/p>\n