“We don’t ask for that when we’re 6 years old and sign up for it. I wanted to do my sport. I didn’t want people to criticize every little thing that I do. I didn’t want millions and millions of followers. I just wanted to do gymnastics.” Those were the raw, unfiltered words of Simone Biles. And in that moment, she pulled back the curtain on the unseen weight of fame. Because when 6-year-old Simone first stepped into a gym, she wasn’t chasing clout or viral fame. She wasn’t dreaming of becoming a household name. She simply wanted to do what she loved. To flip, fly, and push boundaries—for herself.  Yet here she is—seven months after the Paris Olympics—still facing the trolls!

Despite being a 7-time Olympic gold medalist, a 23-time world champion, and the most decorated gymnast in history, Simone Biles still isn’t immune. On March 29, she gave the world a glimpse of the vile reality she still endures. In an Instagram story, she posted a screenshot of anonymous texts she received. Her caption? “hope y’all are having a better day than me.. these are the texts I receive from random a** numbers.. btw y’all are f***** weird for this.” Those were the raw, unguarded words Simone Biles shared in her Instagram Story on March 29. A simple post, but it revealed the ugly side of fame that even the most decorated gymnast of all time can’t escape.

At first glance, it may have seemed like another random troll attack, the kind celebrities unfortunately deal with too often. But this was far more cruel. Far more vicious. Because the texts she received weren’t just mean—they were deeply personal. They pierced through the medals and aimed straight for her scars. The messages contained offensive, vile questions about her maturity, her marriage, and most painfully, they callously brought up the Larry Nassar case— one of the most horrifying legal sagas in sports history. A case that stole the innocence from hundreds of young athletes, including Simone herself.

The troll’s words pointed fingers at the 28-year-old, belittling her pain, as if the years of trauma and survival were somehow up for debate. As if her courageous testimony in front of the U.S. Senate in 2021 wasn’t enough proof of the battles she fought—and still fights. In the meantime, it’s gut-wrenching to think that after all Simone has overcome— the a—-, the mental health struggles, the public scrutiny—Simone Biles still can’t escape the cruelty of strangers. She’s married to the love of her life, continuing to build her legacy, and still… they come. Questioning her happiness, her strength, her past, as if her survival makes her a target. Yes, her achievement makes her the target every time, despite her submission. Do you remember what her submission was after the Paris Olympics? 

In Paris, Simone Biles didn’t just compete—she commanded. With unwavering gymnastic maturity, she embraced the role of leader for the US women’s artistic gymnastics squad, guiding them to a triumphant victory in the team final. But she didn’t stop there. Biles added two individual gold medals to her ever-growing collection, reminding the world why she’s still the GOAT. After the final event, she candidly admitted, “So whenever I do win or get whatever medal that is, I feel a relief off my shoulders—like I did it, I’m done, let’s move on to the next.” Yet, here she is—still under the spotlight, still at the receiving end of praise, expectations, and endless scrutiny. You’d think there might be an end to it. A point where even Biles could finally step away from the constant glare. Won’t there be an end to it? There can be an end to it! Just take a look at the love Simone receives.

Simone Biles has numerous fans behind her 

After the women’s floor exercise final in the Paris Olympics, Simone Biles received praise from Taylor Swift. Well, the pop icon dropped her six-word response to social media fangirling over Simone. Not just Taylor but also a massive number of fans posted online and cheered for her in Target Center. Such an overwhelming praise made the Texas native emotional while standing at the center stage. Meanwhile, her voice rang with genuine emotion, her eyes shimmering with the weight of pure appreciation. Yet she managed to thank all of them who cheered for her. 

Ultimately, in the mixed zone of Target Center, Simone Biles said, “I wouldn’t be here without all of you.” It wasn’t just a cliché line, though. It was Simone’s truth for all the fans who packed the arena, the ones who waited hours for autographs, the parents who held their daughters’ hands as they watched Biles twist through the air—those were her people. Her fuel. Her foundation.

And she meant it when she said: “Each and every comment that I see or tweet, or parents’ Instagrams that are like, ‘Oh my gosh, my daughter’s wearing your leotard, she’s so excited!’” Because to Simone, it’s not just applause. It’s not just social media hype. It’s the smiling faces of little girls who stare at the screen and see someone they want to become. It’s the tiny hands gripping uneven bars, the backyard cartwheels, and the sparkle in their eyes when they wear her signature leotard and believe they can be just like her. That’s what keeps her running. That’s what makes her fly. And as long as there are little girls daring to dream in sequined leotards, Simone Biles will keep soaring—for them.