World champion Alysa Liu changes routine music after singer investigated in teen’s death
The 2025 world champion is seeking new music for the Grand Prix season after the piece linked to the investigation was dropped from her program.
Alysa Liu, the United States' world champion figure skater, has changed her competition music after authorities investigated the singer tied to the death of a teenage girl. Liu’s program previously included "This Is How It Feels," a collaboration between Icelandic artist Laufey and American artist d4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke. The body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found in an impounded Tesla registered to Burke, prompting Liu to pivot to new music as she prepares for the upcoming Grand Prix season. "I have to change it, you know? Forced to change my hand, basically. But that’s alright," Liu told The Associated Press.
The Los Angeles Police Department has not implicated d4vd in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who vanished from Lake Elsinore in 2024 and whose body was found Sept. 8 after the abandoned car was impounded in Hollywood. Authorities have said Burke's home has been searched and that his representatives say he is cooperating with investigators, per The San Francisco Chronicle.
Liu and her coaches are now seeking new music ahead of the Grand Prix season, which opens with the Cup of China in October and Skate America in November. Liu is aiming to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo and Milan. In March 2025, Liu became the first American woman to win a World Championship since Kimmie Meissner in 2006, dethroning three-time defending champion Kaori Sakamoto of Japan at the World Figure Skating Championships at TD Garden in Boston. The victory marked a meteoric comeback after stepping away from the sport in 2022 to focus on college, and it followed a path that had seen her qualify for the Beijing 2022 Olympics, where she finished sixth and earned a bronze at the World Championships that year before stepping away.
Earlier this season Liu finished second to Amber Glenn at the U.S. championships, signaling a strong return to form as she reorients toward Olympic contention. Her coaches and support team have emphasized a focus on artistic development and program choices as she rebuilds momentum for a renewed title bid on the world stage. Liu’s climb has been followed closely by national fans as she balances high-level competition with personal growth outside the rink. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
