SPOTTED! In Social: Liu-ving in the Moment

Things we’re seeing on social right now (and why your brand should care)

By Amanda Dunlap

If you’ve spent any time scrolling feeds in the past week, you’ve probably seen America’s new favorite “It Girl.” Alysa Liu is everywhere, and we are so here for the inspiring, carefree way she made history — rather… herstory. Fresh off an Olympic gold medal win at the 2026 Winter Games, Liu has been dominating social media with memes, reactions, and authentic moments that are much more human than your typical Olympic highlight reel.

Let’s break down what’s spiking online, and why this buzz is a gold medal trend for your social content.

⭐ 1. Viral moments > traditional highlights

Her free skate victory was already news, but it was her infectious (and “meme-able”) joy that made her unforgettable online.

Her story perked the nation’s ears, her performance built hope and excitement, and her personality (which shone brightly through every moment on and off the ice) sealed the deal to win over America’s hearts. The memes came easily from there, proving social is turning Liu’s real Olympic moments into shareable, relatable content. What’s that mean for you? Jumping on the cultural moment creates relevance and engagement for your audience, letting them know you’re paying attention and can have some fun with your messaging.

⭐ 2. Memes rooted in camaraderie and culture

Beyond the clips and the laughter, a feel-good energy also clung to Liu’s public interactions — from heartfelt hugs with fellow medalists to sportsmanship clips that naturally lent themselves to wholesome memes and positive shares.

There’s a shift in meme culture toward feel-good virality — not just ironic humor, but uplifting sharables. Brands that lean into this balance can engage without trying too hard.

⭐ 3. How to leverage the moment for your own content

Here are some easy ways to tap into the Liu-loving, meme-friendly mood without stepping outside your voice:

Reaction Reels: Respond to viral clips with your own branded spin. Think text overlays, reactions, or simple commentary that matches your audience’s tone.

Authentic storytelling: Share the real side of your brand. That means the victories, the quirks, the human stuff — people connect with authenticity more than with perfection. Use one of the memes or clips that most closely matches your message and have some fun with it!

Sharing random memes and trends can still come with intention. And the way your brand’s own values play into them can connect with what audiences find relatable, joyful, and relevant. Just like her skating, successful social content is about flow, personality, and letting audiences see the real humans behind the headlines.

Stay tuned — we’ll keep spotting the trends worth jumping on in this blog series!

Amanda Dunlap is the Director of Strategy and Relationships at WideFoc.us, where she spends her days digging into strategic ways for clients to grow revenue on social. She is a people-person who loves connecting with others at work, in-person, and on social media — giving her an authentic perspective on the topic of cultivating community online. Outside of work, she is the mom of a 2-year-old and spends most of her free time with her family!