Alysa Liu just made history on Olympic ice. The 20-year-old became the first U.S. women\u2019s figure skater to win gold since 2002, ending a decades-long drought. But days after her triumphant performance, the conversation online shifted from medals to something far more personal: her lower-back tattoo.<\/p>\n
At the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Liu delivered a stunning free skate, earning a 226.79 and securing gold<\/a>. She also helped Team USA capture gold in the team event, and her Instagram following skyrocketed from under one million to more than six million in a matter of weeks, according to Sports Illustrated<\/a>.<\/p>\n As interest in her life intensified, the young star addressed her relationship status in a January<\/a> 7 Cosmopolitan<\/a> interview. \u201cThat\u2019s a whole other thing that I\u2019m not feeling right now,\u201d she said, explaining that she\u2019s content focusing on herself and her career. She added, \u201cI love being single, I really do.\u201d<\/p>\n But the online curiosity didn\u2019t stop there.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfac SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox<\/a> \ud83c\udfac\u00a0<\/p>\n On February 26, an image of a lower-back tattoo \u2014 previously seen in a TikTok<\/a> dance video \u2014 began circulating. Some speculated<\/a> about its meaning, with unconfirmed claims that it resembled \u2018Baphomet,’ a symbol often associated with occult imagery.<\/p>\n The internet responded instantly. \u201cWhatever, it’s her life and that ain’t no Baphomet image,\u201d said one fan. Another stated: \u201cTattoos are a personal choice, and they don\u2019t change who someone is or what they\u2019ve accomplished. It\u2019s wild how quick people are to judge something that doesn\u2019t affect them at all.\u201d<\/p>\n Many continued to defend the Olympic champion. \u201cHer body, her rules. You could do whatever you want if you’re #1,\u201d chimed in a third. \u201cBacklash for a back tat is crazy,\u201d someone else pointed out. The post gained traction on Facebook<\/a> as well, where fans continued to support Liu, though a few critics remained.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s OK we\u2019ll just pray for her,\u201d one person wrote. \u201cShe looks evil,\u201d another claimed, while someone else added, \u201cAs the saying goes, \u2018You don’t see a bumper sticker on a Porsche.\u2019\u201d One particularly frustrated commenter declared, \u201cI CAN’T BELIEVE I SUPPORTED HER AND THOUGHT SHE HAD A GOOD VIBE !!!!\u201d<\/p>\n \ud83c\udf73 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & fun food news in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter<\/a> \ud83c\udf73<\/p>\n The online reaction to Liu\u2019s lower-back tattoo isn\u2019t the only time she has faced public scrutiny \u2014 she also drew attention for a mouth piercing that becomes visible when she smiles. In an interview with NBC<\/a> New York, later shared on the outlet\u2019s Instagram<\/a>, the California native explained that she pierced her frenulum \u201ca little over two years ago.” While some fans were unfazed, others commented, \u201cNo \ud83d\ude22,\u201d and \u201cI wish she\u2019d take it out.\u201d<\/p>\n And she\u2019s far from the only athlete navigating that kind of internet blowback. Earlier this week, rugby star Ilona Maher posted a training video on Instagram<\/a> set to \u201cLet\u2019s Go\u201d by Trick Daddy, responding to critics who questioned why she wears makeup while working out.<\/p>\n Text on the clip read, \u201cWhy do you wear makeup when you train?\u201d before flashing to her lifting weights and doing pull-ups with the response: \u201cWhy not? Not like it\u2019s making me weaker.\u201d In the caption, she added, \u201cMy mascara ain\u2019t making my muscles smaller or my work ethic non existent.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, figure skater Amber Glenn revealed she received what she called a \u201cscary<\/a> amount\u201d of hate after speaking out online and encouraging LGBTQ+ people to stay strong<\/a> during \u201ctroubling times\u201d for the community. Glenn also said she would limit her presence on social media as a result.<\/p>\n And during the 2024 Paris Olympics, Simone Biles clapped back at critics obsessing over her hair<\/a>, telling followers, \u201cDon\u2019t come for me about my hair.\u201d<\/p>\n This story was originally published by Parade<\/a> on Feb 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the News<\/a> section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n