Simone Biles Talks Career, Netflix Docuseries And Her Advice For Girls
She is indisputably the greatest Olympian of our generation - so much so, that Simone Biles' competitive sport of gymnastics has named several unprecedented skills after the trailblazer. Earning a total of seven Olympic gold medals, two silver and two bronze for Team USA, the journey for Biles, 28, has not come without its setbacks.
Authentically highlighted in her Netflix docuseries Simone Biles Rising, she experienced early on during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games what is commonly known within the gymnastics community as the 'twisties' - a mental block that disconnects an athlete's physical movements from their mind. After Biles chose to no longer continue in the competition, with all eyes on her as the clear favorite around the world, she was soon faced with a plethora of both praise and criticism for her actions.
In Simone Biles Rising, the decorated gymnast gets to tell her story in her own words, as she took the time to focus on her mental & physical health, set aside society pressures and better prepare herself to confidently return for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in an impressive comeback, achieving three gold medals and one silver.
This past Monday, Biles was in Hollywood, California to promote her docuseries at the Netflix FYSEE event. Following her celebrated gymnastics career thus far and since her time making Simone Biles Rising, I wondered what she has learned more about herself throughout this storytelling process.
Biles said, 'I think how to be patient and things take time. I think we kind of forget that growing up because whenever you're younger, time doesn't seem as long, or we don't really have a timestamp on time. And so, it's just things take time, things come-and-go and to just relish in those moments.'
Simone Biles during the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team Final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games ... More at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan on July 27, 2021.
Having competed in Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, Biles actually does have a favorite Olympics. She said, 'I feel like they're all my favorites for different reasons, but I would definitely say my first one because that was the first time I ever went to the Olympics, and winning a team gold with my team - something I'll forever cherish.'
Aly Raisman, Madison Kocian, Lauren Hernandez, Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas of Team USA pose for ... More photographs on the podium at the medal ceremony for the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
For those who watch the four episodes of Simone Biles Rising, what does she hope that people take away from her sharing her decision-making, her determination and getting to hear her truth?
'Well, that I'm normal - I just have a very unnatural gift that I do and I love to compete. I love to do gymnastics, but at the end of the day, it shows the core of who I am - what my value is for, what I stand for, as well as just doing a side of gymnastics.'
Simone Biles celebrates after competing in the Artistic Gymnastics Women's All-Around Final at the ... More Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena on August 1, 2024 in Paris, France.
When Simon Biles Rising director Katie Walsh was asked for her thoughts about Biles, not only as a superstar gymnast, but as a human and a business leader, she said, 'Simone is one of my favorite humans, to be quite honest. Part of the reason we wanted to do this film was to show Simone, the person. Everybody knows Simone Biles, the athlete, but not everyone knows Simone, the person. She said that to me early on in one of our meetings - 'I just sometimes want to be Simone.' That was the thesis statement for the film and trying to show her as a well-rounded, full human being with life outside of the gym, with doubts and with insecurities - just like all of us normal humans, even though she's a super-human. Her ability to be a leader, not just on the gymnastics floor, but as an advocate, as a businesswoman, is something that you see woven into the film and then throughout her life.'
Simone Biles and Katie Walsh speak on-stage during Netflix's FYSEE "Simone Biles Rising" event at ... More the Hollywood Athletic Club on June 2, 2025 in Hollywood, California.
As for the next generation of female gymnasts and young girls who have come to look up to Biles, I was curious what advice she might have for these individuals to block out 'the noise' that can come from those around them and to steer their own path.
Simone Biles and gymnasts representing the Wendy Hillard Gymnastics Foundation attend Netflix's ... More FYSEE "Simone Biles Rising" event at the Hollywood Athletic Club on June 2, 2025 in Hollywood, California.
Biles said, 'Always dream big, then dream bigger after that, because you never know where your journey will take you - and to just stay headstrong. That's the most important thing. Reach out, get help - it's the most courageous you'll ever be. I'm here supporting you.'
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9 minutes ago
- Forbes
With Simone Biles Out, Meet The Title Contenders At The U.S. Gymnastics Championships
For the first time since 2022, there will be a new U.S. national gymnastics champion in the women's division. Simone Biles has won every national title she has competed for (since 2013), with Konnor McClain (2022) and Ragan Smith (2017) winning in Biles' years away from the sport. With Biles' future on the competitive stage on hold, 2025 marks another year for a new star to emerge as national champion. On Sunday, one athlete will etch her name into the gymnastics record books at the 2025 U.S. Gymnastics Championships. Held August 7 through 10, twenty-four athletes will vie for the all-around and event titles in the women's senior field, with 19 competing in the junior division. Scores from night one will carry over into the final day, and the combined totals will determine the all-around and event final winners. Junior phenom Lavi Crain is expected to dominate her division. The 14-year-old is undefeated in 2025 and most recently cruised to the title at the U.S. Classic in July. The senior field is wide open, with five national titles – including the coveted all-around title – up for grabs. Here's who's expected to contend for the crown in New Orleans. The Contenders: All-Around For only the third time in more than a decade, fans are guaranteed a new national gymnastics champion. With a field comprised of select veterans and a swath of newcomers, the all-around is anyone's game. Jayla Hang, the 2025 Pan American All-Around Champion, burst into the conversation this year with her dominant performance in Panama. The future Florida Gator dominated the championship, medaling on all four events (including in the team and all-around). Hang has virtually no weaknesses and brings stellar execution to boot. Though she only competed bars and beam at the recent U.S. Classic, the 17-year-old looks primed to fight for her first U.S. National title. However, she is not the only contender ready to compete for gold. U.S. Classic All-Around Champion Claire Pease looks to be peaking at the right time in her first year as a senior elite. Pease was the junior U.S. Champion in 2024 and brings elegance and poise to the gymnastics stage. Pease is also joined by her Olympic Champion training partner Hezly Rivera. Rivera rocketed into the spotlight after earning a surprise spot on the 2024 U.S. Olympic team, ultimately bringing home gold. While Rivera has struggled with consistency in 2025, the 17-year-old has untapped potential and high-difficulty gymnastics on multiple events. If Rivera can hit, the top spot is within reach. Simone Rose – Hang's club teammate – finished just behind Pease at the U.S. Classic, impressing fans with a stuck vault and consistency across the four events. Watch out for Rose as she looks to climb the standings from day one to day two. Joscelyn Roberson is also a challenger for the podium. Roberson claimed bronze in the all-around at July's U.S. Classic with a downgraded skillset and looks primed to bring full routines to New Orleans. Though bars have long been Roberson's vice, the Arkansas Razorback posted a formidable score at the U.S. Classic, bolstering her role as an all-around threat. When discussing potential, few have embraced theirs more in 2025 than Ashlee Sullivan. Sullivan impressed with a win at February's Winter Cup and followed the win with bronze at the City of Jesolo Trophy and a beam title at the U.S. Classic. A true all-around gymnast, Sullivan is favored for a podium finish. Despite leading the field with a breadth of international experience, 21-year-old Leanne Wong is an underdog in the all-around race. The former Florida Gator, entrepreneur, and master's student returns to elite after her final season in the NCAA. Wong brings a plethora of her college skills to the elite stage but has not shown top difficulty yet on multiple events. Nonetheless, with a resume like Leanne Wong's, it isn't easy to count her out. Tiana Sumanasekera, another Olympic alternate, will also factor into all-around results. The UCLA commit returns to all four events after an injury-riddled start to the 2025 season. Despite returning from injury, Sumanasekera looked strong in podium training on Wednesday. The Contenders: Vault 2023 U.S. vault champion Joscelyn Roberson comes into New Orleans as the likely favorite on the event. While Roberson has occasionally struggled with form errors, she could vault over the competition with Olympic-level skills. Her most difficult vault – the 'Cheng' – will be key to the win. Named after the 2008 Olympic gold medalist Cheng Fei (CHN), the vault's superior difficulty value puts Roberson at a significant advantage. If she cleanly vaults the Cheng, the title is hers to lose. If she vaults the lesser-valued Lopez, it's a toss-up. Fellow World vault finalist Leanne Wong has also competed the Cheng, netting a third-place finish at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. However, we have not yet seen Wong on vault at an elite competition in 2025. The Olympic alternate will need two strong vaults to contend with the field of newcomers. Pan American Champion Jayla Hang also brings power to the vaulting table in 2025. Hang won bronze on vault at the Pan American Games and looks to capitalize on her strong block and execution. While not known for her power events, Claire Pease surprised fans with an impressive vault effort at the U.S. Classic. Pease's Yurchenko double full stood as the highest vault score of the weekend, earning her the gold as the only athlete to compete two vaults. Oklahoma Gymnastics commit Izzy Stassi won the vault title at the 2025 Winter Cup but could not contend at the U.S. Classic due to a late withdrawal. Stassi will look to fight her way onto the podium in New Orleans. The Contenders: Bars After the unfortunate withdrawal of U.S. Classic bars champion Myli Lew in podium training, the women's bars title is even more up for grabs. Simone Rose finished a close second to Lew at the U.S. Classic, showing intricate release work and a massive full-twisting double layout dismount. Claire Pease was just behind the Olympic Trials finalist in third, bringing higher difficulty. Though Pease stumbled forward on her landing in Chicago, she still placed third in the event. Fans should also watch out for Alicia Zhou. The Winter Cup bars champion, she has shown steady composure throughout the season. After a fourth-place finish at the U.S. Classic, Zhou looks to do one (two, or three) better in New Orleans. While Zhou is steady and solid, Ally Damelio is dynamic. The first-year senior elite drew gasps from the audience at the U.S. Classic when she competed the difficult 'Seitz' skill—a full twist between the uneven bars. 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Fans will anxiously await Skye Blakely's return to the bars. Blakely was the U.S. bronze medalist at the event in 2024, and she nailed her bars routine at the 2023 World Championships, helping Team USA to win gold. With a stunning natural swing and a huge dismount, Blakely could sneak in for the win. The Contenders: Beam Another event, another battle. Ashlee Sullivan arrives in New Orleans as the U.S. Classic beam champion. Sullivan looked unfazed in Chicago, sticking her difficult-standing Arabian, and hitting her dismount without hesitation. With big skills and improved execution, Sullivan is a frontrunner on beam. Joscelyn Roberson brought the house down with a rock-solid beam routine at U.S. Classic, nailing her triple series and combination dismount. With a style reminiscent of Olympic Champion Shawn Johnson's, Roberson's dynamic routine packs a punch. If she can hone in on her execution, beam gold is within reach. First-year senior elite Harlow Buddendeck also impressed the judges in Chicago, claiming silver just behind Sullivan. With beautiful lines and quick, confident connections on the apparatus, Buddendeck could be a dark horse for a medal. Though Tatum Drusch did not compete recently at the U.S. Classic, Drusch heads into the weekend as a contender. Drusch posted a meet-winning 13.850 at the Winter Cup, where she nailed her acrobatic series. If she can replicate her Winter Cup performance in New Orleans, she could challenge for the podium. Claire Pease brought her signature elegance to the beam at the U.S. Classic, where she claimed bronze. Earlier this year, she posted a huge 13.850 at the City of Jesolo Trophy and won the beam titles at the Winter Cup and Antalya World Cup. Tiana Sumanasekera should also contend, even as she returns to the competitive stage. The Olympic alternate is known for her confident, elegant beam work and should make an immediate impact on results. 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She will be joined by Gabrielle Hardie, who finished just behind her at the Pan American Games. While we haven't seen her the elite floor yet in 2025, Leanne Wong is the most accomplished floor worker in the field: she was the World bronze medalist in the event in 2021. Known for her versatile tumbling and excellent showmanship, the a medal is not out of the question if Wong is healthy. Ashlee Sullivan struggled on floor at the U.S. Classic, but the budding star clinched silver at the Winter Cup and showed impressive upgrades in training. With her clean and consistent gymnastics, Sullivan will likely be in the hunt for medals. Olympic alternate Tiana Sumanasekera also expects to return to floor. The UCLA commit is known for her artistry and self-choreographed routines, claiming bronze at the 2024 U.S. Championships. Ultimately, a healthy Tiana is a top contender. Last but surely not least is Nola Matthews. Like Sumanasekera, Matthews is a fan-favorite due to her artistry. Both gymnasts plan to join the UCLA Gymnastics team in 2026. Though Matthews' difficulty is lower than that of the top contenders, her artistry wins the hearts of fans and judges alike.
Yahoo
an hour ago
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‘Wednesday' Cliffhanger: Does [SPOILER] Survive? What the Ending of Part 1 Means for Season 2's Final Episodes
SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers for Season 2 Part 1 of 'Wednesday.' After defeating an evil resurrected pilgrim, a hyde and its master in Season 1 of 'Wednesday,' the Addams family heroine (Jenna Ortega) finds herself at the center of an even more urgent mystery in Season 2. There's been a new string of murders in Jericho, and according to one of Wednesday's psychic visions, her roommate, Enid (Emma Myers), might be next. More from Variety 'Wednesday' Stays Strong in Season 2 With the Endlessly Intriguing Jenna Ortega: TV Review 'T. J. Hooker' Reboot Film Lands at Netflix 'KPop Demon Hunters' Becomes Netflix's No. 4 Most Popular English-Language Movie Ever Wednesday quickly figures out that she's dealing with an avian, someone with the ability to control birds who is using them to kill people. 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The asylum has gone into high alert, and Thornhill sneaks into Tyler's dungeon amid the chaos to free him. Instead of embracing his master, he kills her. Slurp (Owen Painter), the zombie Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez) reanimated earlier in the season who was sent to Willow Hill after killing a normie, also gets freed. He eats Dr. Fairburn's brain, then calls Stonehurst 'old friend' and kills him too. As Wednesday tries to walk the mysterious outcast out of Willow Hill, she runs into Tyler in full hyde form. The woman with Wednesday escapes, but Tyler picks Wednesday up and throws her through a window as cops arrive on the scene. They shoot at Tyler, but he escapes, unharmed. Over a shot of Wednesday's bloodied, unconscious body on the ground outside of the asylum, she says in voiceover, 'I've always dreamed of looking death in the face. But in my final moments, all I hear is my mother's words ringing in my ears: Maybe I have made everything worse. Much worse.' 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The Netflix Assassin Movie More Deserving Of A Prequel Than John Wick
This year, we got the John Wick prequel spinoff Ballerina, set between the events of John Wick 3 and John Wick 4. It underperformed at the box office. It didn't have to be that way. There were already other action movies ready-made for a prequel that were ignored. At the top of our list is Kate, the Netflix film starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead as a ruthless assassin. Why are we so confident that Kate deserves a prequel just as much (if not more so than) John Wick? Without getting too much into the way of spoilers, Kate is a movie in which our heroine sets out on one last bloody adventure, and it ends with enough finality that we know that Mary Elizabeth Winstead's character won't be picking up her sniper rifle ever again. We love the idea of a prequel because it shares another important quality with the John Wick films: specifically, our titular character's misadventures can be as by-the-numbers or as ambitiously odd as the writers want. In short, we can always expect more John Wick adventures in sequels, but the only way we can expect more Kate is by exploring this character and her world in a prequel. That brings us to a more relevant question, then: out of all the films that tried to bite John Wick's style, why is Kate the one that we want to return to? The short answer is that Kate managed to deliver one kickass action scene after another while engaging in some beautifully subtle world-building. In this way, it surpassed rivals like Gunpowder Milkshake (a movie whose colorful characters couldn't disguise its weak story and lore) and Nobody (a movie that played its main character's deal up so mysteriously that it completely killed our curiosity about his past). Additionally, we love the idea of a Kate prequel because it shares another important quality with the John Wick films: specifically, our titular character's misadventures can be as by-the-numbers or as ambitiously odd as the writers want. Kate's skills as a hitwoman for hire certainly would make it easy to create 'villain of the week' television stories, for example, in which she tangles with one perfectly cast bad guy after another. We want a prequel even more than a John Wick prequel because there is so much of this character and her world left to explore. But a prequel series also has room to tell more powerful stories, including what it was like for Mary Elizabeth Winstead's character to be raised by an employer-turned-father figure (Woody Harrelson) who is destined to eventually betray her. In addition, the Kate we see in the original movie has followed in John Wick's footsteps in another big way: She wants to walk away from the entire bloody affair and start a brand new life. We'd love a prequel that explored Kate's background and how she transitioned from someone who loved what she did to someone who couldn't wait to bail. We could even learn more about her understandable hesitation to commit murders in front of children… where did this personal code come from, and how much has it cost her to maintain it? The final reason that we want a Kate prequel even more than a John Wick prequel is that there is so much of this character and her world left to explore. While later Wick sequels threw in everything but the kitchen sink in terms of action and story, part of Kate's charm as a movie is that it is so wonderfully streamlined. That kept the story moving at a breakneck pace, but if we slowed things down with a prequel series, we could learn more about Kate's background, her colleagues, her family, and the future she dreams of for herself (all of which the finished movie completely glosses over). Realistically, we know it will be difficult for Netflix to create a Kate prequel series to rival the John Wick prequel series, especially since Mary Elizabeth Winstead is so busy playing Hera Syndulla in Star Wars. Still, that means she is spending plenty of time in the fictional galaxy far, far away that helped to make prequels commonplace in Hollywood. Maybe that will be enough for her to trade her blaster for a sniper rifle and help us return to the universe of Kate, one of the coolest action movies we've ever seen.
