Alysa Liu: “Amber saved me out of a sticky situation in Japan, where me and Isabeau, we were arm-in-arm being followed by men, and they kept stopping in front of us. She literally was like, ‘Get back.’ She’s mama bear.”
Alysa Liu Talks About Setting Boundaries with Fans and Finding Support on Tour
original source: Interview Magazine
In a recent interview with Interview magazine, Alysa Liu opened up about her experience with navigating boundaries as a public figure in the spotlight. Liu shared her thoughts on dealing with fans and resellers, as well as how her tour team, particularly fellow skater Amber Glenn, plays a key role in helping her feel safe during tricky situations.
Alysa Liu on experiencing uncomfortable encounters with “fans”:
“Yeah, they showed up wanting autographs and they’re all resellers. I knew they weren’t fans. They’re all up in my personal space, so that’s really not fan-like. It’s more…”
She pauses, searching for the right word, and the interviewer offers:
“Predatory.”
“Yeah, exactly. In Japan recently, there were a few men there with photos for me to sign. Sometimes people show up at the hotels I’m staying at. When I get asked for photos at hotels, I say no because I don’t want people to know where I’m staying! Which I think is valid! And so I am like, ‘I’m sorry, I just don’t want people to know where I’m at.’ And then, usually, people are like, ‘Oh, I understand.’ But sometimes, the resellers… no is not in their vocabulary.”
On setting boundaries:
“You have to set your guardrails,” Liu was suggested by interviewer. “Yeah, you kind of do. Not everyone should have access to you all the time. So, I try my best without being rude,” Liu said.
On finding safety and comfort while on tour with her skating peers:
“Being on tour with your people, I’m sure it’s truly like, ‘Okay, I can breathe right now,’” the interviewer remarked.
“Yeah,” Liu agreed. “And they all protect me in a way, especially Amber. She’s been so protective. She saved me out of a sticky situation in Japan, where me and Isabeau, we were arm-in-arm being followed by men, and they kept stopping in front of us. Amber literally was like, ‘Get back.’ She’s mama bear.”
Related topics: Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn
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