Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, has been in the spotlight for her remarkable performances at the Olympics. However, instead of celebrating her achievements, some people fixated on her hair. Biles did not hesitate to respond to these criticisms.
Simone Biles delivers a blunt response to harsh criticism over her hair at the Olympics. Gymnasts typically style their hair to keep it out of their faces, allowing them to focus on their routines. Yet, despite Biles’ incredible talent and success, social media was rife with cruel comments about her hair, calling it messy or unkempt.
In response, Biles took to social media to address her critics. She shared a photo of herself with her hair pulled back into a ponytail, along with a caption that silenced the negative comments. Biles confidently wrote, “Don’t come for me about my hair. It was done, but the bus has no AC, and it’s like 9,000 degrees. Oh, and a 45-minute ride.” In another image, she is shown fanning her face due to the heat, adding, “Next time you wanna comment on a Black girl’s hair, JUST DON’T.”
Biles, the most accomplished gymnast in history, has been open about her hair journey and the pressures she faces as a gymnast. In an interview with Elle, she credited social media with inspiring Black women to better care for their hair and beauty routines. She admitted that she used to worry about her hair’s professionalism but is no longer embarrassed by it.
Many loyal fans defended Biles after the criticism. One fan wrote, “Imagine being the kind of person who watches Simone Biles perform moves that no one else can do, twirl in the air multiple times and land on her feet… only to comment on her hair! Imagine having that mentality?” Another commented, “Simone Biles is out here making history, and people are worried about her hair. We really are cooked as a society.”
Simone Biles is not only an extraordinary athlete but also a role model for her resilience and ability to stand up against unnecessary criticism. Her message is clear: focus on her incredible athletic abilities, not her hair.