Process Breakdown
This was a tribute to Alysa Liu's 2026 Winter Olympics gala performance following her gold medal performance in the women's free skate. While she already brought a refreshing energy prior to even entering the rink, her gala performance's immediate virality best highlights the moment the internet fell in love with her.
Her newfound love for the creative side of her sport rather than the competitive side played a part in her decision to come out of retirement after doing so at 16. She returned after a 2 year mental health break and agreed to only compete competitively on her own terms. This tidbit inspired the fortune cookie quote placed under the skates she once thought were hung up for good:
"Nothing is impossible to a willing heart"
I emphasized her hair because its halo design gained a lot of attention at the time. I pixelated her face to represent the "facelessness" she desires from her performances so people focus on her artistry. The gold rings framing the image represent the Olympic logo, and her send-off of the star to the heavens symbolizes the prior death and current rebirth of her career.