Simone Biles' Inspiring Hair Acceptance Journey
Simone Biles clapped back at the hair haters just hours before becoming the most decorated American Olympic gymnast ever. Ahead of Team USA's gymnasts winning gold for the team final on July 30, 2024, this beauty made it very clear she wouldn't accept criticism of her ponytail (which actually looked totally on point to us).
"Don't come for me about my hair," she wrote on an Instagram Story alongside a video of her on the team bus in Paris. "IT WAS DONE but [the] bus has NO AC & it's like 9,0000 degrees. Oh & a 45 minute drive," she added. The Olympian then shared sound advice with her followers. "Gonna hold your hand when I say this[.] Next time you wanna comment on a black girl's hair JUST DON'T," she wrote.
But this journey to hair confidence, acceptance, and sassy clapbacks hasn't been the easiest road for the superstar — even as one of the 2024 Olympic athletes with the most stunning off-field style. Biles has faced serious criticism, and she's had to learn how to deal with it while holding her head (and hair) high.
Criticism of Simone Biles' hair started early in her career
Simone Biles has had to defend her hair ever since she started gaining public notoriety. In 2017, Biles posted a snap on X (formerly known as Twitter) that showed her as the first honorary Houston Texans cheerleader. But commenters were more interested in her hair than her achievement. "You make [too] much money for your hair to never be done," one person wrote.
Biles stood up for herself. "I have 1 question to everyone commenting about my hair when I genuinely look happy in the photo. Do you look perfect ALL the time? Everything in perfect order?" she responded on X. Still, the star felt she had to explain her tresses, despite her hair being no one else's business. She told fans she'd worn a bun for several hours during practice, which influenced how her hair fell.
It seems the star may also have turned to jokes to mask how difficult the constant focus on her hair was. In 2021, Biles poked fun at herself via Instagram Stories after a fan questioned if she did her Olympics hair and makeup herself. Biles responded (via Allure), "Yes we do. So if we're looking busted. Mind your business lol," alongside two crying laughing emojis. Speaking to Elle in July 2024, Biles explained how disappointed she was by all the criticism. "Most of the backlash we get is from our own community, which is unfortunate," she shared.
She was still proud of her natural tresses despite the trolls
Thankfully, despite the years of backlash, Simone Biles still knew to be proud of her locks and wasn't about to hide her hair. In 2020, she posted a video of a stylist combing through her shiny tresses on X. "Hair journey & proof," she wrote alongside the clip. "Proud of my hair, before I cut it haha." And don't think Biles will be keeping her hair tied up to appease anyone, either. "I feel most natural and beautiful when I let my hair down, especially after competing in a bun or ponytail," she said in 2024 (via American Salon). So take that, haters!
Biles further proved exactly why she's such a hair inspiration when she defended natural hair during a live stream in 2020, while discussing relaxer treatments. "Natural hair is beautiful. I don't have no rough hair, no rough edges. We are not just [campaigning] against [natural] hair," the gymnast said, encouraging viewers not to use relaxers religiously every six weeks because it can result in hair damage. Of course, hair straightening is totally fine if it makes you feel confident, but there are plenty of ways to straighten your hair without heat.
Simone Biles doesn't care what you think of her hair (& she's teaching others to do the same)
Not only is Simone Biles proud of her hair, she's teaching others to be, too. While speaking to young girls at The Lower Eastside Girls Club in 2020, she opened up about the haters. "They focused on my hair. They focused on how big my legs were. But God made me this way," she said (via Vogue). And Biles shared an empowering message for the young minds too. "No matter how good you are in your sport, in life, in work, the number one thing people talk about is how you look. You're still going to thrive. You're going to become somebody amazing and great. You guys are all beautiful, inside and out," she said.
Biles has made it clear since then that she really doesn't care what others think. After a fan questioned why social media users called out her wedding hair following her 2023 courthouse marriage to Jonathan Owens, she responded. "I think they also forget I live in HOUSTON TEXAS & I sweat those out!!" she wrote on X. "[As] soon as we stepped outside for pics but they can keep complaining [I don't care, I don't care, I don't care]."
The following year, she echoed that inspiring don't-give-a-damn attitude. Speaking to Elle, Biles admitted, "I used to worry about [my hair being considered] not professional. But I'm not embarrassed about it anymore."