Starring on her first Vanity Fair cover, Simone Biles opened up about her career, return to gymnastics, and new marriage to Jonathan Owens.
At just 26 years old, Simone Biles has broken a series of records and originated gymnastics maneuvers others dare not attempt. Recently returned to the sport after a self-imposed hiatus, Biles took a break from her rigorous training to star on the cover of Vanity Fair’s latest issue and reflect on her journey thus far.
In recent months, Biles has made headlines, not only for her presumed return to the Olympic stage but her love life. In April 2023,
Though her husband may have been ignorant of her worldwide acclaim, as of today, Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history. During her ongoing career, she has won seven Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals, with 27 gold medals across both categories. Describing her rise to fame as “exciting, intense, and a bit disorienting,” Biles explained some of the complexities of fame.
“I think everyone wants to be famous, and then when it happens, you almost hit a wall, and you have an identity crisis. You’re like, ‘Am I made out for this? Why did I wish for this?’” she said. “I’m not saying that [people] scream and line up like I’m Taylor Swift, [but] I still get a lot of attention. When five people come up to me, and they’re rushing for a photo, I just get a little flustered. My anxiety kicks in.”
Having experienced tremendous highs and emotional lows, Biles stepped away from competing professionally during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to cater to mental health concerns. While some fans criticized the athlete for taking a mental health break, others praised her decision, positioning Biles as an example of what to do in a crisis.
“I was not okay with that […] I wish I could sit here and tell you it was glorious,” said Biles, reflecting on her time off following the Tokyo Olympics. “When I took a break after 2016, I had the time of my life. I was doing anything and everything. But after 2020, it was kind of depressing until I started therapy and got help. I felt like a failure. Even though I was empowering so many people and speaking out about mental health, every time I talked about my experience in Tokyo — because it obviously didn’t go the way that I had planned — it stung a little bit.”
Understanding that it was the best decision, Biles has since been in therapy and continues to take her prescribed anxiety medication. Now, the star gymnast is preparing to return to the sport with a better mindset. Back on a rigorous regimen, Biles says she’s keeping things fun when training. Similarly, she has shaken some of the pressure off her shoulders when it comes to participating in the Paris Olympics this summer.
“If I don’t make it to Paris, it won’t absolutely crush me,” she explained.
