Simone Biles Had a Fear of Going Broke, but Jordan Chiles Splurged Money on Unwanted Luxuries To Avoid Olympic Stress

Simone Biles has influenced her “bestie” Jordan Chiles in countless ways. As Chiles puts it, “She was my mentor, my big sister, and now she’s like my ride-or-die best friend.” However, for spending habits, these two couldn’t be more different. But did you know that Jordan Chiles is a sneakerhead? Despite earning millions from her Olympic status, Biles confessed in a 2019 episode of “Kneading Dough” with Maverick Carter, “I have a fear of going broke.”

Biles shared how she challenges herself to go days without spending a dime on the occasional treat from Subway. She even said, “I never really swipe the [credit] card,” and she only splurges when she feels she’s truly earned it. On the flip side, Jordan Chiles has an undying love for sneakers, apparent in her ever-growing obsession.

Jordan Chiles opens up about her extravagant side

In an interview with KPRC-TV, Jordan Chiles talked about her life as an Olympic medalist, her path to the next Olympics in Paris, and her love for sneakers. She gave host Keith Garvin and fans a tour of her home, showing off her “VIP Lounge” in her closet. This is where she keeps her collection of shoes, especially her favorite Nike Air Jordans, all arranged by color and design. She displayed about 100 pairs, but that’s only half of her collection—the rest are stored in a Los Angeles storage.

Jordan’s sneaker obsession didn’t start until she was older. She said, “My collection kind of grew from there and almost every Christmas I’d just be like, ‘Shoes! Shoes! Shoes!” Now, she owns hundreds of pairs and even has a special collection with Nike, including a Paris-themed line. For her 23rd birthday, Nike went all out with baby blue Jordans as part of the decor.

Even at the 2024 Core Hydration Classic, Jordan wowed everyone not just with her performance but also with her style. She showed off her Nike x Swarovski pair of shoes with her red leotard and black corset top. On Team USA’s Instagram, she was a fan favorite, signing autographs and showing off her shoes. “Did you peep the shoes? Swarovski, Nike, period. Everything is exclusive period,” she shared at the time.

For her fashion, Chiles opts for luxury brands, “Even though we’re in ‘leos’ [slang for leotards] for the majority of our lives, when it does come to fashion, I do like simple chic, whether it’s from Louis [Vuitton], Prada or Dior,” she said.

As we marvel at her passion for sneakers, it’s interesting to mention that they named Chiles in tribute to the iconic No. 23, Michael Jordan.

Chiles’ obsession with sneakers since childhood

Jordan Chiles was destined to be a sneakerhead from the get-go, as her mom, Gina, was a huge fan of Michael Jordan. After a tough six-year journey to have her child, Gina’s enthusiasm won out, and they named their daughter Jordan in honor of MJ’s iconic number 23. Both Gina and Chiles share a deep appreciation for Jordan 1s, considering them their all-time favorite pairs. For Gina, “Anything in the original colorway is huge for me.”

Now, as a Nike athlete heading to her second Olympics in Paris, Jordan Chiles sees her journey with the brand as “a full-circle moment.” With her ever-growing sneaker collection and her passion for the culture, it’s clear that her obsession with the footwear type isn’t just a phase—it’s a defining part of who she is. What are your thoughts on her obsession? Share in the comments below!