To his 28 years, Simone Biles continues to be synonymous with excellence and improvement.
Con seven olympic medals and more than 30 world medals, the American forever changed the history of artistic gymnastics. His name is synonymous with strength, technique and elegance, but also with vulnerability and self-knowledge.
Since he paused his participation in Tokio 2020 To prioritize her mental health, Biles has become a role model who shows that greatness can also be honest.
In one exclusive interview with the magazine Peoplethe athlete once again took a step forward, this time to talk about a topic still surrounded by taboos: her cosmetic surgeries.
He did it with the same naturalness with which he performs a routine on the floor. “I don’t feel ashamed«, he assured, saying that he underwent three procedures, including one blepharoplastya lobe reconstruction and a breast augmentation.
But, beyond the data, what resonated most was his sincerity: «I have always tried to be open, honest and approachable. This is also part of who I am.»
The American gymnast reaffirms her place as a reference for authenticity inside and outside of sport. Photo: IG @simonebiles
The decision to show yourself without filters
Far from being an impulsive confession, Biles explained that her decision to speak publicly was born from a desire to normalize conversations about the body image.
“For a long time, I felt like I couldn’t say anything, because people always have something to say.”he said. “But there comes a point when you understand that you don’t owe anyone an explanation.”.
The gymnast She recalled that her career exposed her from a very young age to a constant gaze, both within the sport and on social networks. “We female athletes are judged not only by what we do, but also by how we look. And that can be exhausting.”he acknowledged.
In high performance, physical demand and the gaze of others shape both performance and self-esteem. Photo: IG @simonebilesHe talked about his “lower blepharoplasty,” a procedure he chose for reasons hereditary: «My family and I have what I call ‘Biles’ eye bags’. We’ve always had them, it’s genetic (…) I slept 12 hours and they were still there. So it was something I wanted to solve.»
He also explained that he underwent a small plastic surgery on the earafter an earring was torn off in childhood, and spoke honestly about his breast augmentation. “Well, obviously they can look at the breasts,” he said between laughs.
Between laughter and sincerity, Biles explained that her aesthetic decisions were personal and without complexes. Photo: IG @simonebilesAs he explained, the procedures were personal decisions, designed from comfort and trust, not from insecurity. «I wanted to feel good about myself. It’s something I did for myself, not to fit in.»he stated.
Between fame and digital authenticity
Throughout the talk, Biles also reflected on her relationship with the social networksa space that—according to her—can be both inspirational as cruel.
Biles has seven Olympic medals and more than 30 world titles. Photo: Pinterest @Alyssa_gueh“The Internet can be brutal”he said bluntly. «I have learned to take comments calmly. Before they affected me a lot, now I choose to focus on what is good for me».
In your account Instagramwhere she exceeds seven million followers, Biles combines training images with everyday scenes with her husband, the NFL player Jonathan Owens.
“Being authentic does not mean telling everything, but choosing to share what truly represents you”he remarked. “I am not just a gymnast: I am a woman «Who also has difficult days, who takes care of himself, who learns to love himself.».
A message to the new generations
In one of the most emotional moments of the interview, Simone addressed a few words to the youths who follow her from all over the world. “I would tell the girls that They don’t have to be perfect. That it is okay to change, evolve and love yourself at every stage”he expressed.
The athlete highlighted the importance of breaking impossible standards and stopping measuring one’s worth by physical appearance. “A woman’s body can do extraordinary things, and it also deserves to be respected and cared for”he pointed out.
With millions of followers, the athlete transforms media exposure into a space of honesty. Photo: IG @simonebilesWith the same determination with which she once defied the laws of gravity, Biles now defies the unwritten rules of how an athlete should appear. His honesty not only redefines the notion of success, but also the way in which vulnerability in sport:
“Seeing me win medals at the Olympic Games is not something that people identify with”Biles reflected. “But what they do identify with is how we feel about ourselves, what we talk about, what we go through and how we share it openly and honestly. And that’s why I decided to share it”.
