Stephen Nedoroscik proved himself as Mr. Dependable, helping secure Team USA’s first team and individual bronze in 16 years. In the process of earning two Olympic medals, the 25-year-old became a viral sensation for simply taking off his glasses every time before hopping on the pommel horse. That’s all it took for the internet to compare the gymnastics icon to Superman.

To be more precise, the internet likened the pommel horse specialist to Superman’s reporter persona, Clark Kent. However, Emmy Award-winning MSNBC host Rachel Maddow had a different take. The 51-year-old host of the Rachel Maddow Show, who also sports a short haircut and glasses, playfully asked if Nedoroscik had stolen her look.

While appearing on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, the TV personality revealed what she would ask Stephen Nedoroscik if he interviewed the Olympic medalist. “Do you feel guilty about stealing my look?” the Blowout author jokingly said on September 17. However, Maddow didn’t seem serious at all as she credited the gymnast for pulling the look off better.

“Between us, I would pick him!” admitted without hesitation. Although Nedoroscik might agree now, he was pleasantly surprised to learn of the Clark Kent comparison after his Olympic victory. While the 25-year-old gave it his all to secure bronze for Team USA, the internet was busy creating memes and collages. So, logging into social media was quite a shock for the Olympian.

Yet, it was a pleasant surprise. “I didn’t have my phone for a couple of hours after the competition… I was like, ‘Ah, it’s gonna be so fun to see all my friends that have messaged me.’ [When] I looked at it, I was like, ‘What is going on?'” Stephen Nedoroscik told ET Online. However, the 25-year-old’s grandmother had seen the resemblance years ago.

Cheryl Nedoroscik revealed her mother sent the gymnast after he won the Junior Olympic pommel horse event. “You will always be my Superman, Steve,” Cheryl Nedoroscik’s mother wrote to her grandson. Since Paris 2024, the gymnast has confidently rocked the now-iconic look on every occasion.

Stephen Nedoroscik has embraced his new persona

While the double bronze medalist at Paris 2024 didn’t earn an Emmy, he walked the red carpet at the 2024 Emmy Awards with his girlfriend, Tess McCracken. Even among the biggest stars on television, the Olympian and his partner stood out. Their Glambot footage was particularly memorable, showcasing Nedoroscik switching to his Clark Kent persona as he took off his glasses in dramatic slow motion.

Mr. Pommel Horse repeated his move on his Dancing With The Stars debut. Stephen Nedoroscik appeared on the stage just as Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now started playing and the gymnast once again pulled off his Clark Kent move. Moments, later his DWTS partner Rylee Arnold joined in and the pair danced their way to third place.

So it’s safe to say the boy from Worcester, Massachusetts, loves his new persona. And although Rachel Maddow jokingly credits herself with inventing the look, it’s clear she also admires the two-time Olympic medalist.