The story behind Alysa Liu’s ‘teeth gems’ revealed — and more

Team USA figure skating star Alysa Liu has shared that the “gems” on her front teeth are actually part of a mouth piercing.

Anytime Liu flashes a smile on the rink or the podium, she shows off her prominent frenulum piercing — commonly known as the “smiley” piercing — located in the tissue that connects the upper gum to the lip.

But the 20-year-old Winter Olympics competitor didn’t go to a professional to have it done.

“I did it myself,” she told NBC affiliate TMJ4 News of the piercing she’s had for just over two years. “I had my sister hold up my lip, and I was looking in the mirror, and I had my piercing needle, and yeah, just put it through.”

However, Liu trusts herself to do her own piercings, saying during a 2024 episode of the In The Loop podcast that it’s “another hobby” she picked up.

“Getting pierced at a shop is really expensive for no reason. So I thought I would learn it myself, be a little DIY girl,” she explained. “Yeah, so I picked that up just because it’s cheaper and I trust myself a lot to get it in the right spot placement wise for the jewelry.

“I bought all the supplies I would need, like piercing needles. I don’t do it with like safety pins or the piercing gun. I’m not, I don’t do that.”

Along with her piercing, Liu shows off her personal style with her hair. Her distinct, platinum blonde stripes in her dark brown hair hold special meaning, with each ring representing a year of Liu personal and professional growth. She first added a ring in 2023 and kept the trend going for the last three years.

“Every year, I add a stripe,” she told NBC in January. “It’s gonna be like this for a year, then—next wintertime, end of December—I do another ring.”

Liu made her Olympic debut in Beijing, China, in 2022, when she was only 16. Although she retired after that event, she announced her return to the sport in 2024 and went on to win the 2025 World Championships.

Already a gold medal winner this Olympics in the team figure skating event, Liu competed in Tuesday’s Women’s Single Skating Short Program. She sits in third place heading into Thursday’s Free Skate event, where she’ll have another chance to take home a medal.

The U SPORTS/CCAA Curling Championships have begun in Regina, drawing teams from universities and colleges across Canada. Competitors are vying for national titles in a series of matches that will determine the top curling teams in the country.

The championships are organized by Curling Canada and feature both men's and women's divisions, with teams competing in round‑robin play before advancing to playoffs.

In a post on Instagram, Vonn paid tribute to 13-year-old Leo, who she said had recently been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Leon Goretzka will leave Bayern Munich in the summer as a free agent, and he has no shortage of suitors. 

There is strong interest from north London, with both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are keen to sign the former Schalke midfielder.

The two Premier League clubs could face competition from German giants Bayer Leverkusen.

Arsenal battle two clubs for Goretzka?

(Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

The Gunners made an enquiry during the January transfer window after Bayern confirmed that Goretzka would be leaving in the summer.

However, the north London club were too late by that time, as the 67-time capped German international confirmed to Bayern that he will stay for the rest of the season.

Christian Falk told CFBayern that Arsenal are considering making a move for the 31-year-old midfielder next summer when he will become a free agent.

Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in signing Goretzka, but a lot could depend on where they finish this season.

Christian Falk has now confirmed to CFBayern that Bayer Leverkusen are also keen to sign the midfielder in the summer, as they see him as a potential replacement for Granit Xhaka.

Goretzka has scored 48 goals and registered 48 assists for Bayern in his career. He has started in 16 starts in the Bundesliga, and has made three further appearances from the bench.

Arsenal hold advantage in the race to sign Leon Goretzka?

The Gunners may have an advantage in the race to land the midfielder, although he could be tempted to stay in the Bundesliga.

Goretzka apparently wants to play in the Premier League, and therefore, he might consider a move to Arsenal if they make an offer.

The north London club can offer him Champions League football next season, which Spurs may not be able to do. Even Leverkusen may struggle to do so, which gives Arsenal an advantage in the race to sign him.