Celebrity is as celebrity does. From Olympic glory to cherished moments behind the scenes, Simone Biles and Aly Raisman have been inseparable, partners in crime through it all. Sharing the Olympic stage and having countless laughs, gossip sessions and the like, Aly Raisman mentored Simone for her first Olympics, solidifying their close bond. But the other part was recently disclosed when the Netflix documentary “Simone Biles: Rising,” released on July 17th, offers a deeper glimpse into their friendship. In the second episode, viewers see a heartwarming moment where Aly and Simone, both decked in white bathrobes, enjoy a gal pal moment while tending to their makeup.

It all began when Simone Biles spilled the beans while contouring her face, saying, “When we roomed… the one and only time we roomed together at Pan Ams.” She went on to explain, “Aly used to be so messy that we decided never again—never room together ever.” Despite this, Simone added, “We actually did get along; we really were like big sisters. We love each other, but we shouldn’t room together.”

Aly Raisman chimed in, admitting she was the messy one, to which Simone cheekily responded that she was the clean one. Aly laughed loudly and agreed, “That’s exactly it.” The two then burst into laughter together. But how did their friendship begin? When did they first meet? As the saying goes, “When meeting the idol, the idol finds her own idol.”

Their bond began in 2014 when Aly Raisman returned to training camp with the goal of making the 2016 Olympic team. Floor exercise was her forte, but she quickly recognized that Simone Biles was a real contender. Aly admired Simone’s prowess and found herself both challenged and inspired. Despite the competitive edge, their friendship blossomed from the get-go. Simone, who had long been a fan of Aly, had autographs and cherished memories of watching Aly at Classics and Championships in 2012.

But what exactly gravitated Aly to Simone was because Aly was more anxious and had a tendency to strive for perfection. But Simone had a knack for balancing seriousness with a playful spirit. Very complementary to each other indeed. Then came a time to showcase prowess, a litmus test for most gymnasts. It was Biles’s first Olympics (Rio 2016) and as Biles says, “Having Aly there at my first Olympics in Rio—she was team captain. She showed me the ropes. That’s even hard to describe. When the first Olympics felt like the nerves were there, I had never been more prepared in my entire life.”

And finally came the moment of truth, and Simone Biles delivered a performance for the ages. Leading the United States to a gold medal in the team event, she then secured the individual all-around title. Biles dazzled in the floor and vault events, becoming the fifth female gymnast to win four gold medals at a single Olympics. She also earned a bronze on the balance beam, bringing her total medal count to five. Meanwhile, Aly Raisman shone brightly at the Rio Games as well, capturing two silver medals and one gold. Fast forward to today. Are they still friends and compatriots before?

Aly Raisman’s legacy and Simone Biles’ full-circle moment is a tale of tell

Aly Raisman retired from gymnastics in January 2020, but the memories of her playful banter with Simone Biles continue to remain etched in people’s minds. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Simone, then just 19, affectionately dubbed Raisman, who was 22 and the oldest among her teammates, as “grandma” due to her age. Despite Raisman’s retirement back in 2020 at the age of just 26 with a haul of six Olympic medals, their humorous exchanges remain a cherished part of their story.

Fast forward to 2024, and Biles finds herself in the same boat as Raisman once did. After securing her spot on the U.S. Olympic women’s gymnastics team on June 30, Biles, now 27, is one of the oldest competitors flying to Paris. Seizing the moment, she playfully apologized to Raisman, reflecting on how she once riffed on her as “grandma.” It’s a full-circle moment that highlights how time flies and the bonds that endure beyond the gym.

“So now, I definitely have to apologize to Aly for calling her grandma because, whew, I feel like I’m way older now than me calling her grandma when we were younger,” Biles said during the press conference on June 30th. As she heads to the Paris Olympics, with already 7 Olympic medals, she is now the oldest among her teammates, stepping into the shoes of the “grandma” she once joked about, proving age is just a number.

Their camaraderie shines through, proving that their enduring friendship and their relationship has encompassed over time. As they laugh and bond, it’s clear that these two are cut from the same cloth, sharing not just triumphs but also tender, everyday moments.