Alysa Liu: 60 Minutes Explores the Skating Prodigy’s Stunning Return at Age 20

On the January 4, 2026 episode of 60 Minutes, Sharyn Alfonsi sits down with Alysa Liu, a name that once dominated headlines in the world of figure skating. After rising to fame as the youngest U.S. women’s champion at just 13, Liu surprised fans by retiring three years later. Now, at 20 years old, she’s back on the ice—and aiming for Olympic gold once more. In this deeply personal segment, 60 Minutes goes beyond medals and routines to explore what it means to grow up in the spotlight, walk away, and return on your own terms.

This isn’t just a sports comeback. It’s a story of identity, self-discovery, and resilience. Liu’s decision to leave competitive skating and her choice to return reflect a maturity and awareness rare for any athlete, let alone one still so young. Her story resonates with athletes and non-athletes alike, offering insight into the pressures of early success and the strength it takes to reclaim your path.

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Bursting Onto the Scene: A Teen Phenomenon Redefines U.S. Skating

Alysa Liu didn’t just arrive—she exploded onto the figure skating scene. At 13 years old, she became the youngest ever U.S. national women’s champion, dazzling judges with advanced technical elements like the triple axel, a jump most senior women still struggle to land. She defended her title the following year, proving that her early win wasn’t a fluke. Liu quickly became the face of a new generation of skaters: fearless, athletic, and boundary-breaking.

But behind the smiles and standing ovations was a young girl navigating intense pressure, both public and private. Media attention, social scrutiny, and a grueling competition schedule made childhood anything but normal. As Liu climbed the ranks, fans marveled at her composure—but few knew the emotional toll that came with the spotlight. Alfonsi’s 60 Minutes interview gives Liu the space to reflect honestly on those early years and the reality behind the podium photos.

A Shocking Retirement at 16: What Made Her Step Away

In 2022, shortly after representing the U.S. at the Beijing Winter Olympics, Liu announced her retirement from competitive skating—at just 16. The decision stunned fans and even those closest to the sport. She had just helped Team USA secure a medal and was considered one of the sport’s most promising stars. Why step away when the future looked so bright?

Liu’s explanation, shared with Alfonsi, offers powerful insight into the emotional fatigue that can accompany life in elite athletics. Skating had become something she no longer did for herself. With expectations rising and joy diminishing, she made the courageous choice to step away, prioritizing her mental health and well-being. Her decision added her voice to a growing chorus of young athletes—like Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka—who have challenged traditional notions of toughness by choosing self-care.

Life Off the Ice: Finding Herself Beyond Skating

For the first time since childhood, Liu got to experience life without rigid structure. She traveled, attended classes, and explored interests beyond figure skating. She spent time with family and friends, reconnected with herself, and redefined what success meant outside the confines of competitive sport.

The 60 Minutes segment shows how this pause wasn’t just a break—it was a reset. Liu didn’t know if she would ever compete again. What she did know was that she needed space to grow into adulthood without being defined solely by what she could do on the ice. It was during this time away that she started to feel the pull of skating once more—not because others wanted it, but because she did.

The Return: Skating on Her Own Terms

Now 20, Alysa Liu is back—and skating better than ever. This time, the drive comes from within. With a new coaching team and a healthier mindset, Liu has reclaimed her love for the sport. She’s performing with joy and artistry, not just athleticism. As the next Winter Olympics looms, she’s once again considered a top contender, but the stakes are different now.

Alfonsi’s interview captures this evolution beautifully. Liu speaks with calm clarity about what motivates her today. It’s not the medals or the pressure—it’s the freedom of doing something she loves, with boundaries she’s chosen. She doesn’t need to prove herself to anyone, because she already has.

The Larger Story: Growing Up in Public and Taking Control

Alysa Liu’s journey is about more than figure skating. It’s a story of maturity, agency, and learning to define success on your own terms. In a world where young talent is often pushed too hard, too fast, Liu has carved out a path that centers her voice, her values, and her well-being.

60 Minutes uses this segment not only to highlight her athletic feats but to examine what happens when a young person gains control of her own narrative. Liu is no longer just a skating prodigy. She’s a young woman with perspective—and a story that might inspire others facing similar pressures in sports, school, or life.

As the Olympic spotlight returns, viewers will see Alysa Liu not as the girl who left too soon, but as the woman who came back on her own terms. Her story, as told by 60 Minutes, is proof that strength doesn’t always mean pushing through. Sometimes, it means knowing when to stop—and when to start again.