Last week, the gymnastics world was thrown for a loop after a well-known Globo sports commentator and a former gymnast unfollowed Rebeca Andrade on Instagram, sending fans into a tailspin. People started jumping to conclusions, wondering if there was some kind of falling out between the two, despite the commentator, i.e., Daiane dos Santos, always having Rebeca’s back, especially after her gold-winning performance in Paris. Given Daiane’s reputation as a well-respected commentator during the 2024 Olympics, this sudden move on social media had everyone scratching their heads.

Naturally, the unfollowing set off a firestorm of speculation. Some thought it was just a simple case of cleaning house on Instagram, while others were sure there was more to the story. But Daiane wasn’t about to let the rumor mill run wild. She quickly spoke up, clearing the air and saying there was no bad blood between her and Rebeca. She called out the media for making a mountain out of a molehill, pointing out how they love to stir the pot and turn a small misstep into a full-blown drama. Daiane thought it was all fuss over nothing. And how did she clear the air?

Daiane dos Santos, a commentator loved for her charisma and strong connection with her fans, took to video to directly address the rumors surrounding her and Rebeca Andrade. Daiane explained that Rebeca had contacted her to let her know it appeared she wasn’t following her anymore.

“So guys, look at this. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m super tech-savvy and pretty chill when it comes to these internet things,” Daiane explained, denying any disagreement. “Reb [Rebeca] sent me a message because, somehow, it appeared I wasn’t following her anymore. I didn’t know this was happening, but she warned me, and it was true. But it wasn’t me who did that. I believe it was the platform.” But that’s not all that she said.

To prevent any misunderstandings, Daiane quickly addressed the situation, making sure to set the record straight. “Before these little things start, these nitpicks that people sometimes like to invent and argue about, I thought I’d better come here and explain what’s going on,” she said, calling out the media for blowing things out of proportion when it wasn’t necessary.

“There’s nothing going on. We get along really well, I admire her a lot, and we’re still good. I followed her back, and I think it was Instagram’s fault.” Daiane concluded the discussion by highlighting how social media often amplifies incidents into controversies and is easily overlooked by most people. Now, do you know that since childhood, Daiane dos Santos has been inspiring Rebeca?

The story behind Rebeca Andrade’s ‘Daianinha’ nickname

Rebeca spent her childhood in Guarulhos, Sao Paulo, with her single mother and seven siblings. At a very young age, she discovered her knack for movement. Her major opportunity arose when her aunt invited her to accompany her to a tryout at a gym where she worked. Seeing Rebeca’s talent, everyone was astonished, and that’s when she earned the nickname “Daianinha,” or “mini Daiane.” Rebeca’s nickname was a tribute to Daiane dos Santos.

The nickname honors Rebeca Andrade’s admiration for Daiane dos Santos and her role in continuing Brazilian gymnastics’ legacy. As Dos Santos once dazzled the world, Andrade now carries that torch, bringing fresh pride and power to the sport. This name fuses past and present, celebrating Andrade’s rise in the path of a legend.

Rebeca’s family was not financially stable. They sometimes struggled to pay for bus tickets, so Rebeca and her older brother would often trek distances to go to practice; they even resorted to constructing a bike from scavenged materials at times. But her hard work paid off. At the age of 11 years old, she received an invitation to undergo training at the Paraná Center for Excellence in Gymnastics and became a member of the Flamengo Club, which is among the most prestigious clubs in Brazil.

Rebeca’s skills showed progress from that point onwards. She achieved a gold medal in the vault at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. However, her major breakthrough came in 2024, when she not only secured a medal in the all-around competition but also clinched the gold in floor exercise with a narrow 0.033-point lead over Simone Biles. This triumph was significant as American gymnasts had been dominating this event for years. This marked the inaugural occasion Brazil’s anthem resonated across a gymnastics podium in Paris, and Rebeca’s heartfelt emotions were evident as she now serves as an inspiration to generations.