THE SONGWRITER BEHIND “MACARTHUR PARK” JUST BROKE HIS SILENCE AFTER ALYSA LIU’S OLYMPIC GOLD. After Alysa Liu soared to gold at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games with her electrifying routine to “MacArthur Park,” legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb — the man who wrote the iconic track later made famous by Donna Summer — stepped forward with a message that felt more personal than ceremonial, saying her energy “breathes yet another life” into his song and that he was “unbelievably proud” to play even a small role in her inspiration, a reaction that quickly caught fans’ attention as the late Donna Summer’s official account also quietly shared her performance.

Alysa Liu's dad became a single father via surrogacy. How common is that? — Gold medalist Alysa Liu of Team United States poses for a photo during the medal ceremony for the Women’s Single Skating on day thirteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

American figure skater Alysa Liu won the gold medal Thursday skating her long program to Donna Summer’s classic tune “MacArthur Park,” and the song’s writer, Jimmy Webb, couldn’t be happier.

Có thể là hình ảnh về văn bản

“Alysa Liu’s energy and youth breathes yet another life into my song ‘MacArthur Park.’ I am unbelievably proud to play some small role in her inspiration,” he wrote on Instagram next to video of her performance. “I am so impressed with her demeanor, she makes America proud again. Congratulations on your gold medal, Alysa!”

The late Donna Summer’s official Instagram account also acknowledged Liu’s performance, sharing a clip of her skating on its Instagram Story.

Released in 1978, Summer’s version of Webb’s song spent three weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified double Platinum by the RIAA. It appeared on her album Live and More, with the disco hit running over eight minutes long. It earned Summer a Grammy nomination for best female pop vocal performance.

A STUNNING LIVE DUET HAS FANS SAYING THEY’VE NEVER HEARD “SHALLOW” QUITE LIKE THIS! 🎤🇮🇹❤️ Gianluca Ginoble and Annalisa joined forces on the iconic stage of the Arena di Verona for a breathtaking performance that’s captivating music lovers around the world.

🔥 AVOIDING THE “SPARE” CURSE: Prince William and Kate Middleton face an urgent dilemma over Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis!

A heroic moment at Kensington Palace… Propping himself up with a walking stick, 90-year-old Duke of Kent inspired royal fans by hosting a moving ceremony to honor a brave lifeguard alongside the woman whose life he miraculously saved.