Simone Biles Responds to Critics Over Her Olympic Hairstyle
Gymnastics superstar and 27-year-old equated little time in responding to critics over her hairdo for Paris 2024 with a no-nonsense answer on social media.
Only after she’d had put on a sublime performance, helping Team USA to their fourth Olympic gold in gymnastics, did Biles become a target for unwanted criticism. While most of the audience was champing at the bit to see her record-breaking eighth Olympic medal and her routines that seemed to defy gravity, a small faction opted instead for her hair.
After commenting on the red carpet about her hairstyle, Biles posted to social media saying, “Don’t come for me about my hair. IT WAS DONE but bus has no AC and it’s like 9,000 degrees. Oh and a 45 minute ride.” A pointed follow-up said, “Next time you wanna comment on a Black girl’s hair. JUST DON’T.”
The criticism also elicited a cascade of responses from fans in defense of the gymnast. Many replied incredulously that someone would comment on her appearance when she was performing life-changing, record-setting athletic feats. One supporter posted, “Imagine being the kind of person who watches Simone Biles perform moves that no one else can do.only to comment on her hair!”
It’s not the first time Biles has spoken out about her hair. In an interview with Elle recently, she shared how she learned to be OK with herself, saying, “I used to worry about it not being professional. But I’m not embarrassed about it anymore.”
She, along with Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera, Sunisa Lee, and Jade Carey, turned in a good performance that sealed the deal on Biles as the most decorated American gymnast in history, moving her medal count to five gold, one silver, and two bronze.
The incident spotlights deeply held conversations about the undue scrutiny Black female athletes face, particularly that aimed at their appearance. With all that extraneous conversation, Biles remains firm in the long run, counting on her incredible athletic prowess and thunderous performances on the world stage.
Article Source: Vt
