Nellie Biles has been braiding Simone Biles’ hair every time before her event since childhood. Thus, whenever a story about the modern gymnastics queen is told, Nellie’s hairdo becomes an integral part. Similarly, a major attraction of the recently released Netflix documentary, ‘Simone Biles: Rising’ is a glimpse of Nellie Biles lovingly braiding the champion’s hair. However, trying to film the heartwarming moment was not as smooth as it would seem in the documentary. 

Director Katie Walsh recently sat down in an exclusive interview with GymCastic. Exploring different aspects of their experience filming with Biles, Walsh gave a sneak peek into the BTS of the braiding scene. Remembering the challenges they faced, Walsh mentioned, “We were allowed to film with Simone but not in her room.” Walsh detailed that the unit only had permission to record Biles while she was outdoors. For privacy concerns, Walsh and Co. could not go inside Simone Biles’ hotel. 

Thus, it became quite a challenge for Walsh to figure out how the braiding scene could be shot. As it was an indoor scene, the setting would require props imitating the backdrop of a well-confined room. Unfazed by the hurdle she faced, Katie Walsh had an idea. She swiftly decided to make good use of the conference room and brought in subtle changes to have the job done.

Walsh elaborated, “There was like a conference room area to this hotel we’re filming out into the hallway for a little bit of like depth of field and then we would kind of bring things into that space so Nelly would come and and braid Simone’s hair there Nelly could go to Simone’s hotel room but we couldn’t so they would work with us and come to that other spot.”

Well, in the end, the scene turned out amazing, just like the braids of Simone Biles, when done by Nellie. Speaking of her hairdo practice, Biles’ mother stated that always tries to do “something special”. While she pointed out that being an adult, Biles can very well braid her own hair, the gesture was symbolic. Every time Nellie Biles would do her hair, a message inadvertently went to Simone that she was not alone in her journey. It was her entire family that was standing hand in hand with Simone in her quest for greatness. And surely, it was the love and solidarity that helped Simone Biles overcome the darkest phase of her life.

Simone Biles overwhelmed with love and support from parents

When Simone Biles’ mind got blank while missing the landing in Tokyo, the first call she made was to Nellie Biles. Deciding to step out of the Olympics, Simone had a tough time picking up the courage to relay to her mom what she was experiencing. Luckily for the champion, Nellie Biles put her daughter’s wellbeing first before anything else. Comforting her on the phone, Nellie said, “Don’t do it. Don’t feel like you need to push yourself because that’s the last thing I need is to see you injure yourself on television and I’m not going to be there.”

The support continued after Simone came back from Tokyo and it worked like magic. Drawing strength from all the love showered on her, Simone Biles is once again the champion. Looking back at her life, the gymnast never fails to acknowledge the contributions of her parents in shaping her into the champion she is today. Expressing her thoughts in the 2021 ‘Simone vs Herself’ Facebook Watch series, the Olympian said, “I feel like I wouldn’t be where I am unless that turning point happened. I would still be Simone Biles, probably not Simone Biles that everybody else knows. The world knows.”

Thus, with just days to go for Paris 2024, Simone Biles will look to lead her team to glory once again. And before she walks out to the dazzles of the games, Nellie Biles will be there, calmly braiding her hair, giving her the champions’ support that she has always craved.

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