Barbra Streisand Slammed Over Olympic Post About Alysa Liu

Barbra Streisand is under fire on social media after sharing what she appeared to intend as a heartfelt congratulatory message to Alysa Liu.

Barbra Streisand is under fire on social media after sharing what she appeared to intend as a heartfelt congratulatory message to Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu. The EGOT-winning legend took to Instagram to celebrate Liu’s gold medal victory at the Winter Olympics, but the post quickly drew criticism from some users who felt the caption veered off course. While many fans praised Alysa Liu’s historic achievement, others questioned Barbra Streisand’s wording and the personal anecdote she included.

Barbra Streisand Celebrates Alysa Liu’s Olympic Win

On February 21, Streisand congratulated Liu after the skater secured gold at the Winter Olympics in Milan. The singer shared her excitement about the achievement while noting a personal connection she discovered.

"We were so happy to see Alysa Liu win the gold medal in Milan yesterday. My husband just showed me that in 2019 she skated to my song 'Don’t Rain on My Parade.' I’m so proud of her. I heard that she is half Chinese. My second family in Brooklyn that lived above us was a Chinese family called the Choys. I worked in their Chinese restaurant since I was 12 years old and also baby sat for their children. She was like a second mother to me."

While the message was meant to honor Liu’s accomplishment, parts of the caption quickly became the focus of online discussion.

Critics Say Post Missed The Mark

 

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A post shared by Barbra Streisand (@barbrastreisand)

Soon after the tribute went live, social media users began reacting to the wording, with some suggesting the message felt awkward or off topic. “'I heard she is half Chinese' took me out," one user commented as another sarcastically said, “Heard she’s Chinese, posts pic of Chinese people she knows. incredible”

Someone else wrote, “Girl, this caption was a wild ride," while a fourth bluntly said, “Boomer posting, this is so funny I'm sorry.”

Beyond the wording, other critics argued the caption shifted attention away from Liu’s accomplishment and toward Streisand’s personal experiences. One widely shared reaction summed up the sentiment circulating online, “How do I make her gold medal winning accomplishment by an Asian woman about me?' - Barbra probably.”

The comments didn't stop there. Another Instagram user chimed in with, “Welp. We now know Barbra writes her own posts," while someone else simply asked, “the caption???" adding a skull emoji.

Alysa Liu’s Gold Medal Performance Marked A Full-Circle Moment

Liu’s Olympic victory wasn’t just about the medal. It also represented the culmination of a deeply personal journey that has defined her career. Her gold-winning program, set to Donna Summer’s "MacArthur Park," showcased both technical precision and emotional artistry, with the 20-year-old appearing fully immersed in the moment during the final stretch of the performance.

For Liu, success wasn’t solely about the podium but about the opportunity to express herself on the ice. “I’m really grateful that I got the chance to showcase my art and my ideas,” she said after winning.

Alysa Liu’s Historic Gold Marks First U.S. Women’s Olympic Win In 24 Years

The historic moment also carried broader significance, marking the first Olympic gold medal for a U.S. women’s figure skater in 24 years. Liu’s path to that achievement has been anything but conventional. She first stepped onto the ice at just five years old after her father, Arthur Liu, recognized her potential and committed heavily to her development.

“I spared no money, no time,” he said in an interview with "60 Minutes." “I just saw the talent.” That dedication meant Liu’s childhood looked very different from most, with intense training schedules during her early teenage years that required daily time on the ice.

Alysa Liu Also Helped Secure Team USA Gold

 

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A post shared by 刘美贤 Alysa Liu (@alysaxliu)

Liu’s Olympic success extended beyond her individual performance, as she also played a key role in Team USA’s gold medal victory earlier in the competition. On February 6, the 20-year-old delivered her short program during the team event, finishing second behind Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto with a score of 74.90, despite receiving a quarter under-rotation call on her triple loop.

The strong performance contributed valuable points toward the United States securing the top podium spot.