Simone Biles is setting boundaries with Olympics viewers: her hair is off-limits!
The 27-year-old gymnastics superstar took to Instagram Stories, to share a lighthearted moment from her 45-minute bus ride to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
As she and fellow Olympians tried to beat the heatwave sweeping through the city – with temperatures soaring to 95 degrees – Biles used a handheld fan to stay cool.
The seven-time Olympic medalist is prioritizing her comfort and focus as she competes on the world stage, and that means keeping comments about her hair to yourself.
“Don’t come for me about my hair,” she captioned the video, in which her hair is pulled back into a ponytail. “IT WAS DONE but bus has NO AC & it’s like 9,000 degrees.”
After sharing a video from the Paris Olympics, the gymnastics superstar posted a serene photo of herself smiling with her eyes closed, wearing a simple tank top.
Her caption drove home a crucial point: commenting on someone’s hair is never acceptable, no matter the circumstances.
She wrote, “gonna hold your hand when I say this,” before adding, “next time you want to comment on a Black girl’s hair, JUST DON’T.”
As the most decorated gymnast in history with 37 medals, Biles has faced her share of unwanted hair criticism over the years.
But she’s learned to rise above it. In a recent interview with Elle, published on July 17, Biles opened up about her journey to self-acceptance, embracing her hair and finding confidence in her own skin.
“I used to worry about [my hair being considered] not professional,” she said. “But I’m not embarrassed about it anymore.”
“Most of the backlash we get is from our own community, which is unfortunate. I don’t really care if my edges aren’t smooth.”
For Biles, managing her haircare routine has significantly contributed to boosting her confidence. Accessing beauty tutorials from Black content creators discussing products and styles has been instrumental in this process.
“We’ve been able to take care of our hair better and take care of our beauty routines better, because it’s self-taught,” she said. “It’s really special that we have access to those platforms.”
Olekanma Favour is a resourceful, self-motivated, and result-driven writer with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and insightful content. She loves tackling complex topics and weaving engaging stories.
When she’s not writing, Olekanma enjoys immersing herself in a good book, exploring new cuisines, and discovering new cultures.