Simone Biles Wanted to "Stand Up for" Younger Teammates During Olympic Criticism
"They're so young and they haven't fully stood in their power yet."
Simone Biles is prepared to defend all of her teammates, even if it means calling out other athletes. And when it comes to the members of the United States women's gymnastics Olympic team, Biles is ready to "stand up for them," and lend her voice whenever they can't speak up.
In an interview with People, Biles, who is often referred to as the GOAT, addressed her recent beef with former teammate MyKayla Skinner. Back in June, Skinner shared a since-deleted YouTube video in which she criticized Team USA's women's gymnastics team. "Besides Simone [Biles], I feel like the talent and the depth just isn’t what it used to be," she said in the video (via HuffPost). "I mean, obviously, a lot of girls don’t work as hard. The girls just don’t have the work ethic."
After Team USA won gold in the women's gymnastics group competition, Biles appeared to clap back at Skinner's derogatory comments. Sharing a photo of the team on Instagram, Biles wrote, "lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions ❤️🥇🇺🇸." The multiple-Olympic medal holder subsequently revealed she'd been blocked by Skinner.
Speaking to People, 27-year-old Biles opened up about her decision to speak out to defend her teammates following Skinner's criticism. "It's important because you have to teach them to use their voices," the gymnast said, revealing how protective she feels over her team. "And if not, you're a voice for the voiceless, which is okay."
Elaborating on why she spoke out so publicly, Biles said, "I just felt like it was right in that moment to stand up for them, because they're so young and they haven't fully stood in their power yet." Biles leads the women's gymnastics team, which includes 20-year-old Lee, 23-year-old Chiles, 24-year-old Carey, and 16-year-old Rivera, via USA Today. Importantly, Biles knows her decision to clap back "meant a lot" to her younger teammates.
Biles finished the 2024 Paris Olympics with one silver and three gold medals. Understandably, the accomplished athlete was proud of her success, particularly after leaving the 2020 Tokyo Olympics early. While speaking to People, Biles revealed she was "so much more relieved, so much more at a better spot, mentally and physically, just happy with overall what I've been able to accomplish and what I've done."
Meanwhile, Skinner has asked Biles to call out cyberbullies in a new Instagram post.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
"Watching people cheer on the bullying—which has led to threats of physical harm to me, my husband and our daughter—is disgusting," she explained. "So please, at this point, I'm just asking for it to just stop for the sake of my family because enough is enough."
She also apologized for her previous comments, saying she took "100 percent responsibility for poorly articulating the point I was trying to make."
Amy Mackelden is a contributing editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.
-
Give Selena Gomez's 'Emilia Pérez' Coat the Oscar Already
The symbolic costuming choice is also my winter wardrobe inspiration.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
The True Story of Dolours and Marian Price Is Just As Harrowing As It Seems in 'Say Nothing'
The new FX series is set in Ireland during The Troubles.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Why Did Drunk Elephant Recall Three of Its Best-Selling Skincare Products?
Here's how to know if yours were compromised.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Princess Charlene Shares the "Difficult" Side of Raising Twins, and Reveals "Isolation" in Her Youth
"I devoted all my days, weeks, and years to being at the top of my game."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Jordan Chiles Details "Difficult Time" After Being Stripped of Her Olympic Bronze Medal
"It's been really, really hard just to comprehend everything that's been happening."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince William Reveals He Skipped Paris Olympics Because He Couldn't "Risk Bringing Covid Home" to Princess Kate
"I was so keen to come."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Jordan Chiles Files Appeal Over "Unfair" Bronze Medal Olympic Ruling
She's not giving up.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Aly Raisman Is "Devastated" for Jordan Chiles: "I Don't Think Jordan Should Give Her Medal Back"
The former Team USA gymnast is speaking out.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Romanian Gymnast Ana Barbosu Officially Receives Bronze Medal Originally Awarded to Jordan Chiles
It's been a long and winding road to get here.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Viral Australian Breakdancer Rachael Gunn Responds to "Hate" She's Been Receiving Following Her Olympics Performance
The dancer shared an emotional video response.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Princess Kate and Prince William Are Experiencing the "Toughest Year of Their Lives Together"
"I don’t think people realize how much she has gone through behind the scenes."
By Amy Mackelden Published