Nellie Biles: “Tell me what you want for your birthday.”
18-year-old Simone: “Go clubbing.”
Can you guess Nellie’s reaction? “Jaw drops, chokes, almost passes out.” And then, just before full panic sets in, Simone breaks it out to her, “I’m kidding mom. lol.”

Well, this little birthday prank has to be one of her best, hands down. And believe it or not, it’s been exactly 10 years since that moment. Fast forward to today, and Simone Biles is officially 28. But what hasn’t changed one bit is her bond with her mommy. No wonder her mother, Nellie, still had the sweetest, most heartfelt birthday wish for her.

Taking to her Instagram, Simone Biles’ mother, Nellie Biles added a post wishing her daughter on her birthday. With a close-up picture of Simone holding a pout pose, Nellie Biles wrote, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my eldest daughter/what a Blessing. May The Lord continue to Bless and keep you.” 

Well, it’s started. Wishes have started to pour in, and everyone’s hours away from showering their love on Simone Biles. But Nellie? She was clearly the first one to socially put out a wish for Simone. Of course, she’s been her loudest cheerleader after all. Both Nellie and Ronald were a constant presence in Paris as it was supposed to be the mightiest test Simone had been through so far. Not just this, they’ve been close through all the highs and lows in her life. Rio, Tokyo, the ‘twisties,’ you name it.

But while Nellie Biles just wished Simone with this surprise post, what’s Simone Biles up to on her 28th birthday? Well, the gymnast just got back to the bay from 2 back-to-back vacations. First, her delayed honeymoon with Jonathan Owens in South Africa and, most recently, her girls’ trip to the Bahamas. And from there, she’s straight off to work. Yes, right until 24 hours before her birthday, Simone Biles was working on what is presumably her latest project.

Shortly after landing back home, Simone Biles was spotted on a shoot, getting her braids re-done. Next, she was out shopping for boots with Jonathan Owens. But wait, are the boots an accessory she needs for her shoot, or is the gymnast picking up some last-minute stuff for her birthday celebration? Well, we’ll have to wait to see that.

But while Simone Biles has always been receptive and welcoming of her birthday wishes, there was one time she wasn’t. And when was that?

Simone Biles once clapped back at her birthday wisher

In 2020, on Simone’s birthday, USA Gymnastics added an X post wishing the gymnast. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the most decorated gymnast of all time, @simonebiles! We know you will only continue to amaze us and make history!”  But this, only this simple wish, created a row.

Instead of accepting the wish, Simone Biles commented, “How about you amaze me and do the right thing… have an independent investigation.” In 2019, Simone Biles bravely stood with her co-athletes in the Larry Nassar case. And that’s what she was referring to in this reply.

But clearly, a lot has changed since then in the sport and Simone Biles’ life. What do you think the celebration would be like this year? Let us know below!