NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) has been an albatross around a gymnast’s neck, but in a good, monetary, enriching way. From the likes of Olivia Dunne to Jordan Chiles and the undisputed queen Simone Biles herself, all of them have dabbled in it, only to emerge richer. With the Paris Olympics looming in everyone’s periphery, Simone Biles is the cynosure of all eyes considering the fact that she achieved laurels at the recently concluded Xfinity Championships. Besides that, there’s another reason to rejoice now: it involves a spicy brand deal in the offing, courtesy of Simone Biles’ training partner.

The rising star has grabbed the spotlight. Adding a touch of Parisian flair to the story, Melanie de Jesus Dos Santos has secured a major endorsement deal with the fashion powerhouse Dior in her own inimitable manner.

Melanie de Jesus Dos Santos fires up the razzmatazz with her NIL dent 

Melanie de Jesus Dos Santos is a name to remember! Steadily climbing the ranks, the French gymnast is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the sport. She secured a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships, making this France’s first medal in the all-around competition in 73 years. She took to her IG handle to post a series of jaw-dropping snippets of her sinews and maneuvers with Dior plastered underneath, signalling her foray into their family. A camera crew was also seen taking closeups of the young buck in all her entrepreneurial glory.

Adding to her pre-Olympic momentum, de Jesus Dos Santos’ prestigious partnership with Dior, a world-renowned fashion brand owned by the LVMH Moët Hennessy–Louis Vuitton luxury goods group is only good news and will be joining the ranks along with swimmer Leon Marchand. Encompassing iconic brands like Louis Vuitton and Givenchy, Dior is synonymous with Parisian fashion and high-end design. 

The fact that this has transpired prior to Paris is merely serendipitous for her overall stature. Her role ahead of Paris was further solidified –“Animated by the same values of audacity, creativity and excellence dear to Christian Dior, Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos builds every day her dream: that of an Olympic medal in Paris.” With all that said and done, what does the symbiotic relationship between Simone Biles and De Jesus Santos entail? However, the connection between de Jesus Dos Santos and Biles goes way beyond their shared Olympic aspirations and competing on the world stage. 

The Simone Biles and Dos Santos saga – two peas in a pod

Biles and de Jesus Dos Santos both train under the same coach, Cecile and Laurent Landi, hence the common thread between them. This shared training environment has fostered a camaraderie between the two gymnasts. With Biles even turning to French choreography artist Gregory Milan, who also works with the French women’s team to refine her routines for Paris, this is an added tour de force for their Paris dreams. 

A video shared by USA Gymnastics on their social media captioned, “Zoe Miller is asking your burning questions at #XfinityChamps! You don’t want to miss this one!,” showcases a fun moment. The video segment titled “From A to Zoe with Zoe Miller,” Zoe Miller, an American gymnast also trained by the Landis, has a lighthearted exchange with Cecile.

Miller playfully asks Landi, “Since the Olympics are in Paris, the fashion capital, if they could have any designer house create a leo for us, what would it be?” A moment many fans surely enjoyed witnessing. Cecile, with a knowing smile responded, “I’m going to go with Dior.” Zoe was clearly pleased with that answer. While Miller’s request may have been playful, de Jesus Dos Santos’ partnership with Dior has become a reality. 

With both Biles and de Jesus Dos Santos vying for Olympic Glory, and Melanie officially a Dior brand ambassador, the spotlight will undoubtedly shine brightly on these talented athletes. And one cannot discount Dior for flashing an even more garish light on the already resplendent De Jesus Dos Santos. What will the mega games hold in store for Biles and Santos? Time will tell.