Simone Biles Says She's Learning to Embrace Her Hair After Harsh Criticism: 'I'm Not Embarrassed'

In a new interview with 'Elle', the gymnast said that she "used to worry" about her hair looking unprofessional

Simone Biles is sharing where she's at in her hair journey.

In an interview with Elle published on Wednesday, July 17, the 27-year-old gymnast reflected on the backlash she's received for her hairstyles.

When it comes to her looks in the gym, Biles told the outlet she "used to worry about [my hair being considered] not professional," but that she's "not embarrassed about it anymore."

The Olympian faced criticism for her 2023 wedding to NFL safety Jonathan Owens. After sharing photos of the courthouse ceremony in Houston, some called out her wedding day hairstyle, a high ponytail with waves, saying that her edges (or the hair on her forehead) looked messy.

Fans quickly rallied around Biles. "There is no way there should be this much discourse around THEE SIMONE BILES natural hair being worn at her wedding," one user shared on X.

"Simone Biles is one of THEE top gymnasts we've ever seen and y'all worried about her hair…..?!" said another.

Related: Simone Biles Proves She's Unbothered About Haters Commenting on Her Wedding-Day Hairstyle: 'IDC'

Biles stepped in to reassure followers that she wasn't letting the chatter get to her. "I think they also forget I live in HOUSTON TEXAS & I sweat those out!! soon as we stepped outside for pics but they can keep complaining idc idc idc," she replied.

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“Most of the backlash we get is from our own community, which is unfortunate,” Biles told Elle about the social media frenzy. “I don’t really care if my edges aren’t smooth.”

Rather than dwell on the negativity, the athlete, who is headed to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris this month, is focused on healthy hair care. Biles told Elle that her hairstylist Jazmine Johnson introduced her to K18 products to repair her locks after experiencing "stress" from tight hairstyles.

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Biles, who is now an ambassador for the brand, says her hair is "starting to come back to life" and that K18 leaves her strands feeling “silky, strong, and beautiful."

The star gymnast also says that hair care has become a bonding experience for her and Owens, 27.

“He loves the smell of hair being straightened,” she says. “He gets his hair braided every two weeks, so we’re in a similar boat.”

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