Simone Biles has been the talk of the gymnastics industry and beyond ever since she stepped on the platform. The 26-year-old today stands as the most influential and sought-after gymnast with her presence and performance. Last month, she upped her status once again, becoming the most decorated gymnast of all time with 37 medals. The 7 X Olympic medallist has owned every mat and platform she stepped upon; the latter however isn’t limited to the gymnastics field.

Simone has earned major brand deals and magazine covers throughout her career; a feat of its own. The icon has graced the covers right from Teen Vogue to People, Time, Vogue, and more. She has shined upon each shoot and story; touching a new subject each time. However, there is one that stands out even years after its release.

Fans dote over Simone Biles’ cover

Over the last week, a page on X brought back the memories of a magazine cover that featured Simone Biles in her glory. It was the November 2021 issue of the Essence that helped the gymnast stand out for who she is with the right tone and styling. “Essence really gave Simone Biles the editorial she deserved. The richness of her skin and the styling>>>,”?the user wrote. And the fans couldn’t have agreed more.

The shoot for the magazine showcased the icon after her announcement of cutting short her Tokyo Olympic journey. Her story not only called for Essence but also caught the eye of the renowned magazine, Vogue. While the latter fell short of touching the bar, Essence reached to the public with both, the shoot and the story.

A look back at Essence 2021

Essence is a magazine well known for curating to African-American women. And the publishing stood out in 2021 as it portrayed Simone in elegance and strength. ‘The Year of Saying No,” “The Year of radical self-care,” the magazine wrote as Simone took the centre stage. To align with its stance, Simone couldn’t have been a better choice after advocating for mental health and self-care.

Also Read: Simone Biles Still Dazed by Belgium for an Unlikely Reason

Simone’s withdrawal from the Olympics was a major statement to the onlookers with fears and stereotypes. ?I definitely knew any stand I took would be a little bit bigger than itself,? Biles said during her interview. ?At the end of the day, we?re humans. We?re not just athletes. We?re not just here for entertainment.??Simone added that, though it was devastating to make such a major decision after years of waiting, she knew she had to take care of herself. By the end of the day, the icon remained content with her decision. ?Take care of yourself first,? she said. ?You?re more than any medal that you could ever win.??

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