Being the greatest gymnast in history doesn’t exempt you from getting some physical criticism. In pursuit of her 28th gold medal Sunday in qualifying for the Paris Olympics team event, Simone Biles eclipsed the competition, but that’s not what many people online took away. Instead, the criticism rained down on the gymnast’s hair.
“Simone Biles’ hair is never done right, it annoys me. All the other members of the team have their hair done right, while she looks like she just got out of bed,” says a young woman on X, amid a flood of criticism.
On her way to the team final on Tuesday, the gymnast didn’t back down and responded to the start of the controversy with racist overtones. “Next time you want to talk about black girls’ hair, JUST DON’T,” she proclaimed in two Instagram stories. Furthermore, as recalled SheSimone Biles recently became an ambassador for hair care brand K18.
The American, however, explained that what had done so much harm to her hair was the buses she travels on. Taking pictures of herself on Parisian public transport and settling scores with the RATP. “Don’t come talking to me about my hair. IT WAS DONE and there was no air conditioning, it was just 9,000 degrees. Oh, and a 45-minute journey too.” Valérie Pécresse and Jean Castex will appreciate that.