EXCLUSIVE: “Simone (Biles) Is a Bit Crazy”: Choreographer Behind Her Success Reveals Unseen Side of Gymnastics GOAT

Simone Biles is gearing up for the Paris Olympics, and she’s bringing a bit of French flair to her routines with the help of Gregory Milan. Milan is a choreographer known for his work with the French women’s gymnastics team. Through Simone’s inner circles and getting to know her coach, Cécile Canqueteau-Landi, makes this collaboration feel like a perfect match. Milan isn’t just a background figure; he’s right there in the thick of it, often seen in training sessions with Landi’s other athletes. Milan is yet another anchor for Simone Biles.

In December 2023, Simone gave her Instagram followers a sneak peek into this dynamic partnership. She shared a video of her unique floor routine, humorously captioned, “No one asked but…. this is how the floor routine is going,” bursting into laughter. Simone was all smiles and clearly having a blast during the session.

Gregory Milan, with his flamboyant personality, brought a fun and light-hearted vibe to the training. He twirled Simone and lifted her into the air while she effortlessly stretched out her feet, toes pointed with perfect precision. Their chemistry was infectious, and it’s evident that Milan has piqued the interest of gymnastics fans. As the duo gears up to clinch gold in the French capital, in an Exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, the man himself delved into the unseen facets of the gymnastics GOAT and it was an eye-opening revelation. Their friendship stands the test of time, though.

In an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, Gregory Milan did a deep dive about working with Simone Biles, saying, “Simone is a bit crazy too; she’s like a grasshopper, she has dynamism, she has energy, but it’s incredible.” Milan, who once described gymnastics as “very staccato, very rough movements, with a sense of geometry,” has made a name for himself by infusing these rigid routines with his own flair and creativity. This unique approach is precisely why he enjoys working with Simone. “So I liked working with Simone because I liked this temperament,” he told EssentiallySports.

Despite his roots not being in gymnastics, having Gregory by her side can completely uplift Simone’s mood. Simone herself revealed this, sharing a birthday story for Gregory Milan with the caption, “Your energy is electric. Everyone needs a Greguito in their life!!! We always have the best time!” Their bond has only grown stronger as the Paris Olympics approach. It’s clear that Simone’s innate skills aren’t the only things Gregory, an acclaimed international dancer and graduate of the Opéra de Paris, admires about the gymnastics queen.

Another admirable trait Gregory Milan has noticed about Simone Biles

Simone Biles has often drawn inspiration from other star athletes like Shaquille O’Neal, who successfully transitioned from sports to a diverse range of business ventures and endorsements. Reflecting on this, Simone once said, “I realized there can be happiness outside of gymnastics.”

She’s been putting this into action with long-term partnerships with brands like Athleta and GK Elite, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit. Gregory Milan has certainly noticed this about Simone. In his interview with EssentiallySports, he shared, “You know, Simone is not only the greatest gymnast in the world, but she is also a businesswoman.”

At the 2024 Core Hydration Classic, Simone Biles wowed the crowd with a new floor routine set to Taylor Swift, even bringing back the iconic Triple Double. She followed this with a seamless front full through to double-double, executed a flawless switch to tour jeté full, a double wolf turn, a switch full, and capped it off with a floaty double layout that earned her a massive 14.800.

The three make a pretty good team and their mettle will be tested come Paris. Under his tutelage, it remains to be seen how she will fare in her personal as well as her professional endeavours. What do you think about the distinctive traits of Simone Biles that Gregory Milan highlighted? Share your thoughts in the comments below!