Team USA's Alysa Liu has seen her Instagram following surge to 5.3 million, eclipsing fellow Chinese-American Olympian Eileen Gu just one week after winning the women's figure skating gold medal.
Liu's follower count jumped from under 300,000 prior to the Winter Games to her current massive following, making her a breakout star. Gu, who competes for China and won multiple medals, has 3.7 million followers. Gu herself acknowledged Liu's success with a supportive comment.
The two athletes, both daughters of Chinese immigrants, represent contrasting narratives. Liu's journey is seen as a story of American loyalty, while Gu's decision to compete for China at age 15 has drawn significant attention and scrutiny.
Liu and her family reportedly faced alleged Chinese government spying efforts due to her father's activism and her refusal to compete for China. Following the 2022 Beijing Games, where Gu won medals and Liu placed sixth before returning to the sport, Liu has emerged as a more popular figure in the Western media, particularly among American conservatives.