Simone Biles and Taylor Swift both stand atop their respective fields with records and accolades galore. While Biles reigns a gymnastics queen with more medals than anyone in the field, Swift has been on a record-breaking spree with her Eras Tour. However, while the icons adorn an esteemed respect from the fans for where they stand, for the 7-time Olympic medalist, there is a difference worth noting.
Simone Biles has grown to embrace the status of a wunderkind gradually over the years. 30 World medals and 7 more in the Olympics have placed Biles on a glorious pedestal. However, despite all the numbers, titles, and recognition, the gymnast points out the disorienting difference the popularity carries. Is this a case of imposter syndrome or Biles wanting to hold her own, sans comparisons?
Simone Biles wishes to reign supreme of her own accord
The 2-time Olympian recently caught up with Vanity Fair for a feature. From Paris 2024, Jonathan Owens to the minor details of the journey, Simone Biles bared her heart out. In the midst of all the thoughts, the gymnast revealed the anxiety that came with popularity. “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 tells Vanity Fair. However, while the gymnast and her parents have experienced the response of invasive fans, reporters, and photographers, Biles admits that it is far from what Taylor Swift receives.
“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,” she adds. But despite the unkind side that came with the popularity, Biles did not hesitate to stand up, to face the circumstances, and to vouch for what was important.
The gymnast carries the platform position with finesse
In 2021, during the Olympics, Simone Biles announced that she would no longer continue with the 2020 Olympics. Performing one of the skills, the Olympian experienced twisties, a gymnast’s most nightmarish fear. Biles knew then, after talking to her close ones, that she needed to prioritize her health. The phenom decided on the announcement on the biggest stage for athletes. She did not fear the brickbats, but intended to merely allow the message to pass through. Since then, Biles has been a paragon for many, a harbinger of mental health though she does not wish upon the title.
Moreover, Biles is also active in lending support to foster children and breaking the stigma around. “If I can be a lending hand and help people, then I’ll be open, honest, and vulnerable,” she says in the interview and has stood by it.
