# Alysa Liu’s Lower Back Tattoo at the 2026 ESPYs: Ice, Ink, and a Bay Area Lovefest
LOS ANGELES, July 16, 2026 — Alysa Liu turned her back to the cameras at the 2026 ESPYs. The Olympic figure skater, 20, revealed a lower back tattoo for the first time on a red carpet. The ink sits just above the waistline of a chocolate brown Louis Vuitton gown. The moment went viral within hours.
Liu’s tattoo is not a small symbol. It is a deliberate statement. According to Teen Vogue’s report, the design features intricate linework spanning the lower lumbar region. The placement—often dismissed as a “tramp stamp” in the 2000s—is being reclaimed by a new generation. Liu, a Beijing 2022 bronze medalist, is at the forefront of that shift.
The tattoo reveal was timed with precision. Liu arrived at the Dolby Theatre alongside Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry. The pair turned the ESPYs into a Bay Area lovefest. “Find your Oakland,” Curry told the crowd, referencing their shared hometown roots. Liu, born and raised in the Bay, smiled. She later posted a backstage photo with Curry, captioning it: “Oakland forever.”
The Louis Vuitton Gown: Fashion as Framing
The dress was not an afterthought. WWD reported that Liu’s stylist selected the backless Louis Vuitton gown specifically to frame the tattoo. The chocolate brown silk crepe falls to the floor. The low back cuts sharply, exposing the full design. It is a direct nod to Shirley MacLaine’s iconic backless look at the 1964 Academy Awards.
Liu has been building a high-fashion streak. She attended the 2025 Met Gala in a custom Thom Browne. She fronted a Prada campaign earlier this year. The Louis Vuitton dress at the ESPYs is her most deliberate fashion move yet. It is not just about clothes. It is about control.
From Olympic Grace to Rebellious Style
Figure skating has long enforced a clean-cut image. Body art was rare, even discouraged. Alysa Liu is changing that.
She joins a small but growing list of skaters with tattoos. Nathan Chen has a small piece on his ribcage. Mirai Nagasu has a tribute to her heritage on her wrist. Liu’s lower back tattoo is bolder. It is placed on a part of the body traditionally hidden by competition costumes. The ESPYs reveal is a statement: the ice princess is gone. In her place is an athlete who owns her narrative.
The concept of grace is expanding. Liu’s performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan was flawless—she took silver in the individual event and gold in the team competition. But her post-Olympic identity is being defined by choices like this tattoo. Grace, she seems to say, includes the right to ink her own skin.
The Bay Area Lovefest: Curry and Liu
The ESPYs became a celebration of Northern California talent. Curry, a four-time NBA champion, presented Liu with the Best Female Athlete award. The crowd, packed with Bay Area transplants, erupted.
Curry referenced their shared Oakland roots in his speech. “Alysa represents everything Oakland is about,” he said. “Hard work, authenticity, and a refusal to be boxed in.” Liu’s tattoo, in this context, is more than personal. It is a marker of place. Oakland pride, expressed through ink.
A Tattoo as a Turning Point
Awards shows like the ESPYs are evolving. Athletes are using red carpets to express personal style, not just team loyalty. Liu’s lower back tattoo is part of that shift.
The reveal has drawn mixed reactions. Some fans praised her boldness. Others questioned the placement. But the conversation itself is the point. Liu is not asking for permission. She is showing what she has chosen.
The Shirley MacLaine emulation is key. MacLaine’s backless dress in 1964 was a rebellion against Hollywood’s conservative dress codes. Liu’s Louis Vuitton gown, with the tattoo visible, is a similar act. It is timeless rebellion, repackaged for a new generation.
What’s Next: Tattoos, Fashion, and the Future
Liu has not confirmed additional tattoos. But sources close to the skater suggest she is considering a sleeve on her left arm. She has also been in talks with multiple luxury brands for potential collaborations.
For readers inspired by Liu’s look: choose a placement that feels personal. Lower back tattoos are making a comeback. Pair them with a backless dress for maximum impact. And remember—body art is a declaration, not a decoration.
Conclusion: Ink, Ice, and the New Face of Athleticism
Alysa Liu’s lower back tattoo at the 2026 ESPYs is not a trend. It is a declaration. She is blending Olympic grace with rebellious style. She is owning her body, her hometown, and her narrative.
The ice has melted. The ink is permanent.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is Alysa Liu’s tattoo design?
- A: Alysa Liu’s lower back tattoo features intricate linework spanning the lumbar region, unveiled at the 2026 ESPYs.
- Q: Why did Alysa Liu choose to reveal her tattoo at the ESPYs?
- A: The reveal was a deliberate statement, timed with her arrival alongside Stephen Curry, emphasizing Bay Area pride and redefining the ‘tramp stamp’ stereotype.
- Q: What dress did Alysa Liu wear to frame her tattoo?
- A: She wore a custom backless chocolate brown Louis Vuitton silk crepe gown, selected to frame the full design.
Extended Reading
For further details on Alysa Liu’s tattoo design and fan reactions, see Teen Vogue’s coverage: Alysa Liu Showed Off Her Lower Back Tattoo at the 2026 ESPYs .
For the full analysis of her Louis Vuitton gown and Shirley MacLaine comparison, refer to WWD: Alysa Liu Wears A Chocolate Louis Vuitton Gown at the 2026 ESPY Awards .
For context on the Bay Area lovefest with Stephen Curry, read the San Francisco Chronicle: Stephen Curry, Alysa Liu turn ESPYs into a Bay Area lovefest .