Simone Biles recently faced social media criticism—not for her exceptional gymnastics, but for her “fried” hair. In a bold move, she addressed her detractors directly.

Simone Biles has been competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics, but along with her journey to gold, she encountered unexpected criticism about her hair from netizens. The world-renowned gymnast did not hesitate to respond.

The 27-year-old athlete posted a video to her Instagram story, where she humorously but firmly stated, “don’t come for me about my hair [sic].” Seated on a bus and dealing with intense heat, she explained, “IT WAS DONE but bus has NO AC & it’s like 9,0000 degrees. oh & a 45 min ride [sic].” She was more direct in another post, saying, “gonna hold my hand when I say this…next time you wanna comment on a black girl’s hair. JUST DON’T [sic].”

These posts led to various reactions on social media. One frustrated viewer vented, “Simone Biles hair never being done properly be pissing me off. Everybody else on the team is put together, then she looks like she just rolled out of bed [sic].” Another echoed this viewpoint with concern, “Her hair looks broke off, fried, and unhealthy. I don’t think anyone is trying to be mean, if anything it’s black women giving advice. She is the best gymnast ever and she has the means to attain healthy hair. Why not look and be your best simultaneously [sic]?”

Despite these critiques, there was still a lot of love for Simone. “I’m just trying to figure out why Simone Biles hair never done? Like girllll come on STILL LOVE HER AND HOPE SHE DOES GREAT [sic]!” said one fan. Many others defended Simone, emphasizing the physical demands of her sport. “I’m so sick of people coming for Simone Biles’s hair as if she’s not flipping in the air at the speed of light out there,” one defender retorted. Another added, “Simone Biles is focused on better things than hair. Women need to stop policing hairstyles. It’s ridiculous Why are women still talking about her hair? We all go through frizz in humidity.”

Despite the online comments about her hair, Simone remained focused and led her team to victory. Team USA won the women’s gymnastics team final with a total score of 171.296. This victory marks the fourth gold for the U.S., following their triumphs in 1996, 2012, and 2016. Italy claimed silver, and Brazil took bronze, marking their first medal in this category.

Throughout the Olympics, Simone showcased simple yet striking hairstyles, often opting for a hair bun that highlighted her versatility and style. In one photo, she wore her hair in a high bun with cascading strands, secured with hairpins. In another, she sported small braids running from the front to the back, which seamlessly blended into her high, messy bun. Sometimes, she opted for a more casual look with a simple messy bun.

Reflecting on the team’s achievement, Simone expressed her joy, saying, “It feels amazing. We love it, we’re excited…We got the job done.” She also shared a photo of her team celebrating their win on Instagram, captioning it, “lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions [sic].”

Simone’s hairstyles have always been part of her public persona, and now they are featured in a Netflix documentary “Simone Biles: Rising.” The documentary delves into her journey, including her hair braiding routine. Collaborating with Netflix and Emmy-winning director Katie Walsh, the documentary highlights Simone’s life, balancing her personal life, mental health, and training ahead of the Olympics.

The trailer gave viewers a glimpse of Simone’s journey, starting with an interview about the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics and showing clips of her incredible gymnastics skills. It then transitioned to the infamous moment when Simone left the competition, addressing that incident and other battles she faced.

A notable moment in the documentary featured Simone’s mother, Nellie Biles, braiding her hair. This touching scene showcased the bond between mother and daughter. Nellie explained how hair braiding was not just about styling but also about bonding and care.

Reflecting on her past, Simone confessed in an interview with a fashion outlet, “I used to worry about [my hair being considered] not professional.” She received much flak about her hair from the public, with critics often commenting on its appearance. Despite this, Simone expressed that she embraces her hair as it is, saying, “I’m not embarrassed about it anymore.”‘

Simone Biles’s response to criticism and her outstanding performance remind us that her athletic prowess far outweighs any superficial judgments, particularly those concerning her hair. Her resilience and authenticity shine through, proving that surface-level critiques do not define her remarkable achievements.