Simone Biles: Navigating Body Shaming, Beauty Standards, and a Shifting Career with Unwavering Self-Belief

Simone Biles, America’s celebrated gymnast, has consistently faced intense public scrutiny, ranging from harsh comments about her physique to speculation regarding cosmetic procedures. Yet, through it all, she has maintained her composure, grounded in her faith, inner strength, and personal choices.

Despite her Olympic achievements, Biles has not been immune to the relentless judgment of the internet. Hailed as “the most decorated American gymnast ever,” she has been subjected to both immense adoration and relentless criticism concerning her body, appearance, and recent rumors of breast implants.

Even before her rise to global fame, Biles battled perceptions about her size. At just 16, a coach’s cruel remark during a 2013 meet left a lasting impression. After a stumble, the coach attributed her error to being “too fat.” Biles, a naturally petite young girl, found the comment deeply upsetting. However, in characteristic fashion, she transformed the negativity into strength, believing that “everything happens for a reason” and that the incident ultimately contributed to her current success.

As Biles’ Olympic star ascended, so did the public’s dissection of her appearance. Her hair, legs, and overall physique became targets for online critics. When asked about these mean-spirited remarks, Biles candidly admitted, “They focused on my hair. They focused on how big my legs were.”

Her unwavering faith and self-belief have been her shield. She firmly asserts, “God made me this way, and I feel like if I didn’t have these legs or these calves, I wouldn’t be able to tumble as high as I can and have all of these moves named after me.” Biles has since embraced body acceptance as a personal mission, advocating that everyone should be confident in their God-given body and learn to love themselves.

In a 2024 interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Biles offered insights into beauty standards within elite sports, noting that for athletes, beauty often takes on a different meaning. She highlighted the impracticality of wearing heavy makeup during intense training sessions and praised figures like Alicia Keys for embracing a minimalist aesthetic, emphasizing that true beauty comes from within.

Biles has also openly shared her own beauty experiments. In 2017, she posted an Instagram video showcasing her freshly microbladed brows, expressing her satisfaction. However, a more recent attempt at “baby Botox” for her 27th birthday in 2025 did not go as planned. She humorously recounted in a TikTok video how her eyebrow would slowly rise, and she couldn’t get it back down, a side effect even her teammate Zoe noticed. This experience led her to swear off baby Botox for good.

In July 2025, Biles ignited a new wave of speculation after sharing bikini photos from a vacation in Belize with her husband, Jonathan Owens. Fans quickly noticed her visibly fuller chest, leading to widespread questions about whether she had undergone breast augmentation. Cosmetic surgeons weighed in, with Dr. Ruthie estimating an implant size of 350 to 420cc, likely silicone and placed under the muscle. Dr. Dino Mendez observed her breasts appeared “more full, more round” compared to previous photos, suggesting a smaller implant in the low 200cc range. He also speculated that such a procedure might indicate her retirement from gymnastics, as an elite athlete would typically avoid such a risk during their active career. A third surgeon concurred, noting her lack of body fat would necessitate implants and estimating a solid C-cup result, further reinforcing the retirement theory.

Fan reactions were immediate and varied. Some expressed concern about the potential impact on her career, while others celebrated her confidence and speculated about her retirement. Comments like “So she really really retired. 😢 She looks amazing and confident” and “I’m guessing she officially retired!” flooded social media platforms.

Indeed, Biles’ recent actions have fueled these retirement rumors. At the 2025 U.S. Classic near Chicago, she was present only as a spectator, not a competitor. She openly expressed her relief at being in the stands, telling Olympics.com that competing takes a significant mental and physical toll. When asked if she missed the thrill, she responded, “It’s only been a year… I don’t get up every day and think like, ‘Oh, I wish I could flip.’ I flipped for 22 years of my life, so being right side up is kind of nice.”

Throughout her journey—from confronting body shaming to experimenting with beauty treatments and gradually stepping back from competitive gymnastics—Simone Biles has consistently remained true to herself. Her unwavering self-confidence continues to define her, regardless of the speculation and scrutiny she faces.