Alysa Liu dropped her short program after the ongoing d4vd investigation, saying the change reflected her values ahead of the 2026 Olympic season
Figure skating champion Alysa Liu is stepping back from her new short program after the artist behind its soundtrack became the subject of a police investigation.
The 20-year-old Olympian confirmed the decision in a statement on Instagram posted Wednesday, claiming she needs to stay aligned with her values.
“As many of you know, I recently debuted a new short program for the ‘25-‘26 season,” Liu wrote. “However, in light of recent news, my team & I are confidently pursuing a different direction that aligns with my values & just my overall ethos.” She added, “I’m eager to start brainstorming new ideas, & I want to ensure my creative process isn’t rushed. So, in the meantime, you may see some familiar programs. Thank you for your ongoing support!”
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Liu had planned to skate to This Is How It Feels by d4vd and Laufey as part of her 2025–2026 competitive routine.
That changed after law enforcement launched an investigation into the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was found in a Tesla registered to singer d4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke.
According to the LAPD, Hernandez was discovered deceased on September 8 in the back of a parked vehicle. Ten days later, detectives served a search warrant at a residence tied to Burke.
The 20-year-old artist has not issued a public statement, though a representative told NBC Los Angeles that he is “fully cooperating” with investigators.
Burke was mid-tour in North America at the time. No arrests have been made, and authorities have not released a cause of death.
Liu’s decision to leave the program comes at a key point in her return to competitive skating. The California native retired from the sport after placing sixth at the 2022 Winter Olympics and winning bronze at that year’s World Championships. She surprised fans by returning in March 2024.
Her comeback included a slow start, but she built momentum and closed the season with a first-place finish in Boston. In March 2025, she captured the World Championship title, becoming the first American woman to do so since 2006.
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