Prince Harry gestures with his hands while talking with Alysa Liu and Madison Chock at an indoor gala event.
Craig Barritt / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
Gossip

Alysa Liu Stunned in a Sheer Black Lace Cheongsam in NYC, Appearing to Catch Prince Harry Completely Off Guard

By

Alysa Liu is the 20-year-old who won America’s first Olympic figure skating gold in 24 years, and this spring she landed on the TIME100 Most Influential People list, the youngest name on it.

Alysa Liu speaks into a microphone onstage in a sheer black lace cheongsam in front of a large TIME100 Sports backdrop.
At Pier 60, Chelsea Piers in New York City, the TIME100 Sports Gala on July 16, 2026 brought Alysa Liu to the stage to speak before the gathered crowd. Photo by Craig Barritt / Getty Images.

On Thursday, that momentum carried her to the TIME100 Sports Gala, where she shared a room with Prince Harry and turned heads in a sheer black lace look.

Alysa Liu stands in front of a red velvet curtain wearing a sheer black lace cheongsam gown with a corset and garter details.
Liu posed against a red velvet curtain at the TIME100 Sports Gala on July 16, 2026, wearing a head-to-toe sheer black lace cheongsam with a structured corset bodice. Photo by Craig Barritt / Getty Images.

Alysa Liu took the stage at the TIME100 Sports Gala at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers in New York on Thursday wearing a high-collared black lace dress cut in a cheongsam style with frog buttons, her hair pulled back and streaked with color.

Prince Harry gestures with his hands while talking with Alysa Liu and Madison Chock at an indoor gala event.
At Pier 60 in New York City, the TIME100 Sports Gala on July 16, 2026 brought together Alysa Liu, Madison Chock, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, caught mid-laugh in conversation. Photo by Craig Barritt / Getty Images.

Prince Harry and ice dancer Madison Chock were in the room. In one candid photo from the night, Liu laughs beside Harry as he gestures with both hands and appears to look away, almost as if he’s making a point not to stare at her sheer black lace look.

Eileen Gu in a white embroidered gown, Alysa Liu in a sheer black lace dress, and Madison Chock in a red floral gown smile together at the TIME100 Sports Gala.
Eileen Gu, Alysa Liu, and Madison Chock pose together under the TIME100 Sports signage at Pier 60 on July 16, 2026, in a trio of striking gowns. Photo by Jemal Countess / Getty Images.

The Oakland-raised UCLA student won gold in women’s singles at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, becoming the first American woman to do it since Sarah Hughes in 2002. She also helped Team USA win team gold. In April, she was named to the TIME100 Most Influential People list, the youngest person on it, with comedian Bowen Yang writing her profile.

Eileen Gu, Alysa Liu, and Madison Chock stand close together smiling at the TIME100 Sports Gala, with the event logo visible in the background.
Eileen Gu, Alysa Liu, and Madison Chock smile for the camera at the TIME100 Sports Gala at Pier 60 on July 16, 2026, in a closer, warmly lit shot. Photo by Jemal Countess / Getty Images.

Liu has never been one to treat any of it too heavily. After winning Olympic gold, she downplayed the medal itself: “I don’t need this. But what I needed was a stage, and I got that. So I was all good, no matter what. If I fell on every jump, I would still be wearing this dress, so it’s all good.”

Alysa Liu standing on a red carpet in a full-length sheer black lace mermaid gown at the TIME100 Sports Gala.
Figure skater Alysa Liu smiles on the red carpet at the TIME100 Sports Gala in New York on July 16, 2026, showing off the full silhouette of her sheer black lace mermaid gown. Photo by Jemal Countess / Getty Images.

The TIME100 Sports Gala came just one night after Liu picked up the ESPY for Best Breakthrough Athlete at Lincoln Center.

Alysa Liu at the 2026 ESPY Awards at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City
At the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City, figure skater Alysa Liu makes an appearance at the 2026 ESPY Awards on July 15, 2026. Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty Images.

Stay in the loop with Thought Catalog — follow us on Facebook or visit our website.

Alysa Liu speaks into a microphone onstage in a sheer black lace cheongsam in front of a large TIME100 Sports backdrop.
At Pier 60, Chelsea Piers in New York City, the TIME100 Sports Gala on July 16, 2026 brought Alysa Liu to the stage to speak before the gathered crowd. Photo by Craig Barritt Getty Images.
Alysa Liu stands in front of a red velvet curtain wearing a sheer black lace cheongsam gown with a corset and garter details.
Liu posed against a red velvet curtain at the TIME100 Sports Gala on July 16, 2026, wearing a head-to-toe sheer black lace cheongsam with a structured corset bodice. Photo by Craig Barritt Getty Images.
Prince Harry gestures with his hands while talking with Alysa Liu and Madison Chock at an indoor gala event.
At Pier 60 in New York City, the TIME100 Sports Gala on July 16, 2026 brought together Alysa Liu, Madison Chock, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, caught mid-laugh in conversation. Photo by Craig Barritt Getty Images.
Eileen Gu in a white embroidered gown, Alysa Liu in a sheer black lace dress, and Madison Chock in a red floral gown smile together at the TIME100 Sports Gala.
Eileen Gu, Alysa Liu, and Madison Chock pose together under the TIME100 Sports signage at Pier 60 on July 16, 2026, in a trio of striking gowns. Photo by Jemal Countess Getty Images.
Eileen Gu, Alysa Liu, and Madison Chock stand close together smiling at the TIME100 Sports Gala, with the event logo visible in the background.
Eileen Gu, Alysa Liu, and Madison Chock smile for the camera at the TIME100 Sports Gala at Pier 60 on July 16, 2026, in a closer, warmly lit shot. Photo by Jemal Countess Getty Images.
Alysa Liu standing on a red carpet in a full-length sheer black lace mermaid gown at the TIME100 Sports Gala.
Figure skater Alysa Liu smiles on the red carpet at the TIME100 Sports Gala in New York on July 16, 2026, showing off the full silhouette of her sheer black lace mermaid gown. Photo by Jemal Countess Getty Images.
Alysa Liu at the 2026 ESPY Awards at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City
At the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City, figure skater Alysa Liu makes an appearance at the 2026 ESPY Awards on July 15, 2026. Photo by Angela Weiss AFP via Getty Images.
1 / 7

Read more Gossip.

About the author

January Nelson

January Nelson

January Nelson is a writer, editor, and dreamer. She writes about astrology, games, love, relationships, and entertainment. January graduated with an English and Literature degree from Columbia University.