Alysa Liu’s Gold and the “Smiley” Piercing: How One Look Sparked Conversation at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Key Highlights
Introduction
A comeback scripted on ice
The piercing that caught every camera: what is a frenulum (or “smiley”) piercing?
Why the “smiley” resonated beyond fashion
Self-piercing: trends, risks, and the culture of DIY body modification
The medical perspective: oral piercings and athlete health
Rules, regulation, and judges: are piercings allowed in competition?
Aesthetic lineage: athletes who made style part of their sport
Hair as a narrative device: the “rings” metaphor
The social-media multiplier: how small details trend globally
Aesthetics and judging: can style sway scores?
Identity, sponsorship, and marketability
Sportsmanship, tradition, and generational change
Precedents and comparable moments in sport
Practical guidance for anyone considering a frenulum piercing
What Liu’s choice foreshadows for athlete culture
The Olympic spotlight and its ripple effects
Beyond the shine: performance remains decisive
What comes next for Alysa Liu
Cultural reading: what a small sparkle reveals about sport and society
Final reflections on risk, expression, and the future of athlete identity
FAQ

Key Highlights

Alysa Liu returned from a 2022 retirement and captured gold in the women’s free skate at Milano Cortina 2026, delivering the United States its first Olympic free-skate gold in 24 years.
Cameras focused on more than jumps: Liu’s upper-lip frenulum piercing—commonly called a “smiley”—and her brown-and-blond halo hair stripes became symbols of a Gen Z athlete merging personal style with elite performance.
The piercing raises questions about self-expression, safety, and regulation in judged sports, while underscoring how contemporary athletes build identity and fan engagement through visual cues.

Introduction

Alysa Liu’s victory at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics read like a comeback story and a cultural moment rolled into one. After retiring from competitive figure skating in 2022 following the Beijing Olympics, Liu announced her return in March 2024. She then took the ice in 2026 and produced a performance that won the women’s free skate—and captured headlines for reasons beyond triple axels and artistry.

Liu’s smile drew as much attention as her score. A small glint at her upper gumline led viewers to ask whether she wore tooth gems or braces; instead, the sparkle came from a frenulum piercing—a “smiley.” She pierced it herself more than two years earlier with her sister’s help, then kept it as a discrete but provocative accent to a look that includes brown-and-blond halo hair stripes she says represent another year of growth. Athletic achievement and personal aesthetics collided in a way that highlights changing norms in sport, the role of identity on the world stage, and the safety and regulatory considerations that come with visible body modification in elite competition.

This piece explores Liu’s competitive arc, the history and mechanics of frenulum piercings, the cultural currents that make such a detail newsworthy, and what her choice reveals about modern athletes who compete—and brand—themselves before global audiences.

A comeback scripted on ice

Alysa Liu’s return to competitive skating and subsequent Olympic victory is the kind of narrative that captivates sports audiences. She stepped away after the 2022 Beijing Olympics, a pause that suggested she might be finished, then signaled her return in March 2024. That two-year gap produced questions about readiness, conditioning, and whether she could match or surpass her previous form.

Her performance at Milano Cortina answered those questions with a decisive “yes.” Winning the women’s free skate not only awarded her an Olympic gold medal, it also broke a 24-year drought for the United States in that event—the last American woman to win the Olympic free skate was in Salt Lake City in 2002. For Liu personally, the medal validates a difficult decision to come back, and for U.S. figure skating it marks a restoration of prominence in an event that has seen champions from Japan, South Korea, and Russia in recent cycles.

Comebacks in sport demand more than physical readiness. They require mental recalibration, strategy adjustments, and an acute awareness of rule evolutions. Liu’s ability to combine technical elements—jumps, spins, and footwork—with program components like performance and interpretation was decisive. Judges allocate points for both technical execution and presentation, and Liu’s program met both criteria. Yet the visual elements of a performance—costume, makeup, and unexpected accessories—can shape public perception and, to a lesser degree, influence component scoring. Liu’s aesthetic choices amplified her presence on and off the ice.

The piercing that caught every camera: what is a frenulum (or “smiley”) piercing?

The jewelry that caught viewers’ attention is a frenulum piercing, colloquially called a “smiley.” The frenulum is the small fold of tissue that attaches the inner upper lip to the gumline; when a person smiles widely, that tissue is exposed, and a tiny hoop or stud reveals itself between tooth and lip.

Frenulum piercings are typically small and subtle. They are commonly fitted with a captive bead ring or a small hoop that sits snugly against the gumline when the wearer smiles. Because the tissue is thin, the jewelry is often minimal—large or heavy pieces would be uncomfortable and increase the likelihood of displacement.

Liu described the piercing’s origin in straightforward terms: she pierced it a little over two years ago and—informally—did it herself with her sister holding up her lip while she used a piercing needle. That anecdote amplifies the cultural context: self-directed body modification, often learned from social-media tutorials or peer assistance, is a recognizable practice among younger generations. The intimacy and DIY aspect of Liu’s story underlines how personal these choices can be, even for public figures.

Why the “smiley” resonated beyond fashion

A small piece of jewelry became a conversation starter because it sat at the intersection of identity, youth culture, and sport. Several dynamics explain why a frenulum piercing provoked such attention:

Visibility meets novelty. At first glance on television, the piercing can be mistaken for other contemporary adornments—dental gems, decorative braces, or reflective makeup. The unfamiliarity of a frenulum ring to some viewers created curiosity.
Gen Z aesthetic cues. Liu’s overall look—striped halo hair in brown and blond and a subtle lip piercing—aligns with aesthetics popular among younger audiences and on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Those cues signal intentional self-branding and differentiated identity.
Intimacy and authenticity. The story that Liu pierced it herself with her sister’s help conveys a candid, unfiltered moment. Fans and the broader public responded to the authenticity implied by such a detail. It humanized a high-performing athlete and made her relatable.
Sport as a stage for identity. Skaters have long used costume, makeup, and choreography to convey character. Liu’s piercing is a minor but modern addition to that tradition. It demonstrates how athletes can communicate personal narratives through visual cues without detracting from technical goals.

These elements combined to make a single piece of jewelry newsworthy. The comment threads and social-media posts that followed were not only about aesthetics; they reflected interest in how athletes present themselves and how sports spaces absorb or resist contemporary subcultures.

Self-piercing: trends, risks, and the culture of DIY body modification

Self-piercing, especially among teens and young adults, is not uncommon. Tutorials on video platforms and anecdotal accounts circulate widely. For many, piercings are an accessible form of self-expression that require minimal financial investment and can be done privately. But medical professionals generally advise against self-piercing for reasons grounded in health and safety.

Risks associated with non-professional piercing:

Infection. Oral bacteria are abundant. Introducing a foreign object through mucosal tissue can lead to bacterial infection, requiring antibiotics or, in severe cases, surgical intervention.
Migration and rejection. Thin tissue like the frenulum does not always hold jewelry securely. Because of constant movement and pressure, the body may reject the jewelry or cause it to migrate through the tissue.
Gum and tooth damage. Jewelry rubbing against teeth can cause enamel abrasion or even chips. Constant irritation of the gumline may lead to gum recession.
Bloodborne pathogens. Using an unsterilized needle risks transmitting pathogens if the instrument is contaminated.
Improper placement. Piercing requires anatomical knowledge—piercing in the wrong place can cause tears or interfere with nerves and salivary glands.

Given these risks, many professional piercers insist on sterile environments, single-use needles, appropriate jewelry materials (surgical steel or implant-grade titanium), and aftercare protocols. Liu’s account of having performed the piercing herself is notable for demonstrating the casual approach many young people take, but it also highlights the potential hazards of forgoing professional practice.

Even with professional care, frenulum piercings have higher rates of migration and rejection than some other body-piercing sites because the tissue is thin and mobile. Medical advice typically includes saltwater rinses, careful cleaning, and avoidance of trauma to the area during initial healing.

The medical perspective: oral piercings and athlete health

Medical practitioners treat oral piercings with caution. The mouth is a bacterial environment with frequent contact from food, utensils, and saliva. For athletes, additional concerns emerge because of training conditions, frequent travel, and the close monitoring of infection and injury.

Health-related considerations for athletes with oral piercings:

Increased infection risk in close-contact and travel-heavy schedules. Training camps and international travel can expose athletes to environments where infections spread more easily.
Impact on respiratory function during training. While frenulum piercings are small and unlikely to obstruct breathing, any oral hardware introduces a new variable during high-intensity training or costume changes that involve the mouth.
Communication and public-health implications. During times of heightened viral risk (for example, a pandemic), open-mouth piercings can be an area of concern if athletes are routinely tested or have close contact with others.
Dental complications that might affect performance. Tooth damage or gum recession is not merely cosmetic; pain or dental intervention can interrupt training and competition schedules.

Responsible care includes consulting dental and medical professionals before modifying oral tissues, selecting high-grade, biocompatible jewelry, and following a strict aftercare regimen. For elite athletes, team doctors or federation medical staff often advise against non-essential alterations that could jeopardize training continuity or competition eligibility.

Rules, regulation, and judges: are piercings allowed in competition?

Figure skating regulations focus primarily on technical elements and the avoidance of dangerous props or costume items. The ISU (International Skating Union) and national federations set costume and equipment standards designed to ensure safety and fairness. Jewelry is typically permitted so long as it is not considered dangerous or likely to fall off and interfere with performance.

Points to consider:

Judges evaluate technical scores and program component scores. Jewelry is rarely a direct factor in scoring, but the overall presentation can influence component marks, which include interpretation and performance.
Safety is the metric that most directly governs acceptability. Large or loose jewelry that could fall or injure the skater or others may be prohibited. A small upper-lip ring that remains secure would generally not run afoul of safety rules.
Federation discretion. National teams and coaches commonly advise athletes on presentation choices. Team doctors may also weigh in when modifications could impact health or readiness.
Precedent. Over time, figure skating has accepted many stylistic innovations—makeup, hair accessories, and non-traditional costumes have all become part of the art. Body jewelry that remains unobtrusive typically slides into that continuum.

Rules can differ in detail, so athletes and coaches often consult officials before major competitions. Liu’s visible frenulum ring did not prompt disqualification or a rule debate in Milano Cortina, indicating it fit within the sport’s regulatory boundaries for safety and presentation.

Aesthetic lineage: athletes who made style part of their sport

Sports history offers many instances where an athlete’s style became inseparable from their public identity. Figure skating, especially, has a long tradition of performers who used costume and appearance to create memorable personas. Examples:

Johnny Weir is known for flamboyant costumes and theatrical presentation that pushed the boundaries of figure-skating norms.
Michelle Kwan’s polished elegance and classic lines symbolized a style of presentation that resonated across generations.
Kristi Yamaguchi and others used hairstyle and costume to underscore the character of their programs.

Outside figure skating, athletes have used fashion as a form of expression and brand-building. Basketball players’ pregame outfits and tennis players’ hairstyles have become cultural talking points because they create narratives around the athlete beyond the scoreboard. Liu’s combination of a subtle oral piercing and a distinctive halo-striped hair color connects to that lineage. It shows how small aesthetic choices can amplify public interest and deepen fan engagement.

Hair as a narrative device: the “rings” metaphor

Liu’s brown-and-blond halo hair stripes carry a personal symbolism she described simply: she compared them to the rings trees display with age, stating, “You know how trees have rings for their age? I thought every year, I’m gonna add a new halo around my hair.” The metaphor turns color into chronicle. Each stripe becomes a visual record of time, experience, and growth.

Athletes have long used physical markers—tattoos, hairstyles, or even costume modifications—to mark personal milestones. What distinguishes Liu’s approach is the integration of that symbolism into a day-of-competition aesthetic that is both playful and self-referential. It is a narrative told visually, in a language social media users decode readily. When combined with a small, gleaming frenulum ring, the overall effect is of someone who curates identity in layered, intentional ways.

The social-media multiplier: how small details trend globally

A single camera close-up can elevate a minor aesthetic detail to a global talking point when amplified by social platforms. Social media accelerates and amplifies audience reactions to athletes’ looks in ways traditional broadcast cannot. A split-second smile can generate hundreds of thousands of comments, clips, and memes.

Mechanisms behind the spread:

Captions and context. Viewers unfamiliar with frenulum piercings often misidentify them, prompting explanatory posts that travel widely.
Influencer and fan commentary. Influential accounts—commentators, athletes, and fashion pages—reshape the narrative, turning curiosity into trend coverage or analysis.
Tutorials and copycat behavior. When a well-known figure makes a style visible, micro-trends appear on platforms offering how-to guides or DIY approaches, for better or worse.
Sponsorship and branding implications. Brands track these moments to see how athletes’ visual signatures map onto consumer interest.

Liu’s moment was small but highly shareable. It provided content for sports commentators, fashion writers, and fan platforms alike. The piercing functioned as a hook: a sharable detail that drew users into broader conversation about Liu’s career, persona, and the evolving face of competitive sport.

Aesthetics and judging: can style sway scores?

Figure-skating scoring comprises two major components: technical elements and program components (also called component scores). Technical elements include jumps, spins, and footwork. Program components gauge aspects like skating skills, transitions, performance, composition, and interpretation.

While judges are trained to be objective, human interpretation plays a role in component scores. Theories about whether aesthetics sway judging fall into two categories:

Direct influence is unlikely to change the technical score. Jumps either land or they do not; falls are penalized according to clear protocols. Jewelry and hairstyle do not alter base values for technical elements.
Perceptual influence on program components is possible. A striking look that coheres with choreography might slightly enhance perceived performance quality or interpretation. Judges consider the whole presentation when assigning these scores.

Historically, figure skating has balanced innovation with tradition. Costumes and makeup that support a program’s theme often elevate component scores. Yet governing bodies maintain regulations to prevent costume elements from being used as gimmicks that could distract or endanger. Liu’s frenulum piercing was small and integrated, meaning it was unlikely to be seen as a disruptive element. Her high components and technical execution, rather than the piercing itself, decided her result.

Identity, sponsorship, and marketability

Athletes are increasingly their own brands. Appearance plays a measurable role in marketability. A distinctive personal look can catalyze sponsorships, endorsements, and social-media followings that supplement prize money and federation support.

Liu’s aesthetic choices position her in several ways that are attractive to sponsors:

Youthful relatability. Her Gen Z cues resonate with a key consumer demographic sought by lifestyle and apparel brands.
Authentic storytelling. The “I did it myself” anecdote around the piercing communicates a narrative of independence and creative agency.
Visual uniqueness. The halo hair stripes and a discrete “smiley” create recognizable visual assets that work well in editorial spreads, short-form videos, and promotional photography.

Commercial partners weigh authenticity and risk. Brands often favor athletes who can engage audiences organically while upholding safety and responsibility. Liu’s story checks many boxes for contemporary campaigns: competition success, youth appeal, and an authentic creative persona.

Sportsmanship, tradition, and generational change

Every sport negotiates the balance between tradition and adaptation. Figure skating carries a particularly storied tradition of elegance and formality, but that tradition has adjusted to welcome diverse artistic expressions. Younger athletes increasingly bring aesthetics born on social platforms to the ice, and federations adapt to that shift by focusing on safety rather than visual conformity.

Liu’s embrace of a piercing and a novel hairstyle sits within a broader pattern: younger athletes assert more control over their public images than predecessors and do so openly. The reaction to Liu—largely positive or curious—suggests a broadening acceptance of personal expression in arenas once defined by narrower norms.

The change is not merely cosmetic. It reflects shifts in how athletes construct personae and how fans expect accessibility from public figures. Social media encourages ongoing, personal dialogues between athlete and audience, and elements like hairstyle or jewelry provide shorthand for identity that transcends competition timeframes.

Precedents and comparable moments in sport

Other athletes have created similar flashpoints where looks and performance intersected:

Naomi Osaka used hairstyles and public statements to assert identity and influence broader conversations about athlete mental-health and expression.
Simone Biles’ departure from and return to competition began a global conversation about athlete autonomy and well-being.
Johnny Weir’s career foregrounded the idea that presentation could be a legitimate element of competitive identity in figure skating.

Each case shows that individual choices by high-profile athletes can become focal points for cultural conversations, policy debates, and fan engagement. Liu’s glittering “smiley” did not precipitate a policy debate, but it signaled a cultural inflection point: small acts of self-expression by elite athletes are now instantly visible and collectively discussed by global audiences.

Practical guidance for anyone considering a frenulum piercing

Practicality matters for athletes and non-athletes alike. For those contemplating a frenulum piercing, guidelines distilled from professional-piercing standards and medical advice include:

Consult professionals. Seek a licensed, reputable piercer who uses single-use, sterile needles and seals jewelry standards to biocompatible metals like implant-grade titanium or surgical steel.
Consider dental consultation. Dentists can assess gum and tooth health and advise on potential risks of tooth damage or gum recession.
Evaluate timing. Avoid getting newly placed oral jewelry immediately before major competitions, theatrical performances, or travel-heavy schedules to reduce infection risk and the potential for interruption.
Follow aftercare. Rinse with saline or an antiseptic mouthwash recommended by the piercer; avoid oral contact like kissing during the initial healing period; avoid tobacco and foods that irritate the area.
Monitor for complications. Signs of infection include abnormal swelling, pus, severe pain, fever, or rapid jewelry migration. Seek medical care promptly if those signs appear.

For elite athletes, involving team medical staff and coaches in the decision ensures that any personal modification does not interfere with training or competitive plans.

What Liu’s choice foreshadows for athlete culture

Several likely outcomes and trends stem from Liu’s moment:

Greater visibility for small, non-disruptive body modifications. If federations continue to focus on safety and not uniformity, more athletes will likely adopt subtle markers of identity.
Increased public interest in athlete aesthetics. Fans will continue to dissect and emulate looks associated with high-profile athletes, creating micro-trends.
More scrutiny from medical professionals and federations. As modifications become more visible, teams may develop formal guidance for athletes around timing and safety.
Broader conversations about authenticity and agency. The narrative around self-piercing and DIY aesthetic choices speaks to how athletes craft personae beyond competition tactics.

Liu’s gold therefore matters on two levels: it reasserts competitive significance for the U.S. women’s program and it brands a visual lexicon that other athletes may adopt or adapt.

The Olympic spotlight and its ripple effects

An Olympic gold produces immediate sporting consequences—rankings, national accolades, and often increased funding for programs. It also creates cultural ripple effects that extend into fashion, social media, and youth culture. Young skaters and fans notice what their idols wear and emulate those choices. When an Olympic champion adopts a look that ties personal symbolism to public performance, that visual language becomes instructional as well as aspirational.

Small details observed in a single broadcast can become teaching moments. Coaches might find themselves discussing not just landing triples but also risk management around jewelry, recovery protocols, and the interactions between presentation and judging. Federations may codify advice for appearance choices to minimize health risks while preserving freedom of expression.

Beyond the shine: performance remains decisive

The attention on Liu’s piercing and hair should not obscure the central fact: her Olympic title resulted from athletic excellence. Jumps landed, spins rotated, and program components combined to produce scoring that judges determined worthy of gold. The piercing was a headline-grabbing accent, but the result hinged on mastery of the sport’s demanding technical and artistic criteria.

That reality matters because it reframes the narrative. Aesthetic choices can heighten visibility and fan conversation, but they do not substitute for training, coaching, or execution under pressure. Liu’s moment demonstrates how identity and performance can coexist: style amplifies story, and sport confirms merit.

What comes next for Alysa Liu

An Olympic gold creates new opportunities and responsibilities. Liu may encounter:

Increased commercial interest. Brands often align with athletes who achieve global visibility and convey authentic personal narratives.
New expectations from fans and the federations. Success brings pressure to sustain performance and to navigate an expanded public profile responsibly.
Decisions about future competition. The gold opens paths for further championships, endorsements, or projects off the ice.
Greater media scrutiny. Media attention will likely extend to personal style choices, making considered decisions about appearance and public statements more consequential.

Her already-visible style choices—hair rings, a frenulum piercing—offer fertile ground for storytelling in interviews, profiles, and brand collaborations. How she manages that visibility will shape her influence on younger athletes and fans.

Cultural reading: what a small sparkle reveals about sport and society

Liu’s frenulum piercing and halo hair are emblematic of a larger cultural inflection. Athletes now inhabit overlapping roles: elite competitors, media figures, and individual style-makers. The public appetite for authentic, relatable narratives means even minor personal choices gain outsized attention.

This attention is not trivial. It signals a shift in how sports audiences engage with athletes—not just as performers to be judged by technical metrics, but as individuals who curate aesthetics that speak to identity, values, and generational sensibilities. The “smiley” is an entry point into a wider conversation about who athletes are off the playing field and how those identities interact with public expectation, team responsibilities, and personal well-being.

Final reflections on risk, expression, and the future of athlete identity

Alysa Liu’s Olympic gold is a milestone for U.S. figure skating. The curious spotlight on her frenulum piercing underscores how closely contemporary audiences watch what athletes choose to reveal—literally and figuratively—about themselves. The broader lesson is practical: athletes must weigh self-expression against health, timing, and regulatory frameworks. At the same time, the moment confirms that sports remain a powerful stage for cultural signaling. Small, deliberate signs—hair, jewelry, a smile—carry meaning that travels faster than records and medals.

As athletes continue to build public personae, teams and federations will balance permitting personal style with advising on safety and competitive readiness. For fans and aspiring athletes, Liu’s example offers an invitation: identity and excellence can coexist, so long as the choices made support health, performance, and personal authenticity.

FAQ

Q: What exactly is a frenulum or “smiley” piercing? A: A frenulum piercing passes a small piece of jewelry—usually a hoop—through the thin fold of tissue that connects the inner upper lip to the gumline. The piece becomes visible when the wearer smiles, which is why it’s called a “smiley.” A similar lower-lip version is called a “frowny.”

Q: Is it safe to get a frenulum piercing? A: Safety depends on professional technique, jewelry materials, and aftercare. Oral piercings carry risks including infection, migration, gum recession, and tooth damage. Professionals use sterile needles and biocompatible metals and provide aftercare instructions. Self-piercing increases risk and is not recommended by medical professionals.

Q: Did Alysa Liu’s piercing affect her competition or score? A: The piercing did not change the technical scoring of her performance. Judges score technical elements and program components based on execution and presentation. Jewelry that is small and secure is typically allowed so long as it doesn’t pose a safety risk. Liu’s victory resulted from her technical execution and program components, not the jewelry itself.

Q: Are piercings allowed in figure skating and other judged sports? A: Most federations permit jewelry if it is not dangerous or likely to fall off and interfere with performance. Rules focus on safety. Athletes often consult coaches and medical staff before making appearance decisions for major competitions.

Q: What are the typical healing times and aftercare steps for a frenulum piercing? A: Healing times vary but can be several weeks to a few months. Aftercare commonly includes gentle saline rinses, avoiding oral contact and irritants, and monitoring for signs of infection. Smokers or those with poor oral hygiene face increased complication risk.

Q: Could the piercing cause dental problems for an athlete? A: Yes. Jewelry can rub against teeth, causing enamel wear or even chips, and can irritate gums, potentially leading to recession. Regular dental check-ups help identify and mitigate such issues.

Q: Why did Liu add halo hair stripes, and what do they mean? A: Liu described the halo stripes as analogous to tree rings—marks of age and growth. She said she would add a new halo each year, using hair color as a visual timeline of development. The stripes function as personal symbolism and a distinctive aesthetic.

Q: Will this influence other athletes? A: High-visibility athletes often set trends that others emulate. The extent of influence depends on individual choices, federation guidance, and health considerations. Subtle, non-disruptive alterations that comply with safety standards are the likeliest to spread.

Q: Should athletes consult team doctors before getting a piercing? A: Yes. Team medical staff can evaluate the medical risk, discuss timing relative to competitions, and advise on safe practices and appropriate jewelry materials.

Q: What should parents and young athletes consider if they want a frenulum piercing? A: Consult licensed professionals and, when applicable, a dentist or doctor first. Consider timing to avoid disrupting practice or competition. Ensure aftercare protocols are understood and that parents or guardians are involved in decision-making for minors. Self-piercing is risky and discouraged.

Q: What’s next for Alysa Liu’s career? A: An Olympic gold elevates competitive options and public opportunities. Decisions about continued competition, endorsements, and public appearances will shape her trajectory. The medal provides momentum; how she balances sport and public life will determine her long-term path.

Q: Can jewelry lead to disqualification in competition? A: Disqualification is unlikely solely due to small, secure jewelry. However, if an item is judged dangerous or interferes with performance, officials may require it to be removed. Federations and event officials typically resolve such issues pragmatically prior to competition.