Ask MyKayla Skinner about bad timing, because she would know. The 27-year-old attracted the ire of the gymnastics community after stating, “Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn’t what it used to be.” She also criticized Team USA’s work ethic. No doubt, Skinner received a lot of backlash for her comments and many wondered if she demotivated the team right before the Paris Olympics.

Nevertheless, Skinner apologized for her comments and also shared how her thoughts were misinterpreted. But in another interview, she was singing a different tune.

In an interview with Naluda Magazine, dated July 3, she was asked about how she envisioned women’s gymnastics evolving. Those who witnessed her criticizing Team USA were ready for a jibe. But that’s not what happened. Instead, Skinner stated, “I think the girls will just keep getting better and better! It will be fun to see new routines and skills come to life.”

Skinner would know how difficult it is to compete at the elite level. After all, she stepped up during the Tokyo Olympics when Team USA needed her the most. Skinner’s silver medal-winning vault in Tokyo gave her teammates a much-needed confidence boost amid Simone Biles’s twisties-induced crisis.

Then where did things go wrong right before Paris? What did Skinner say that riled people up? Well, MyKayla Skinner watched the trials as five gymnasts secured their rightful places in the US Paris Olympics team. Simone Biles completed the incredible comeback by stopping the scoreboard. Tokyo 2020 all-around champ Suni Lee joined the gymnastics legend. Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and 16-year-old prodigy Hezly Rivera completed the pentagonal team.

However, Skinner couldn’t help but reminiscence how things were different when she was competing. “It’s hard too because of SafeSport. Coaches can’t get on athletes, which in some ways is really good, but at the same time, to get to where you need to be in gymnastics, you do have to be… a little aggressive, a little intense.” Skinner added.

May disliked her comments because SafeSport, which is an independent organization, strives to protect athletes from any abuse or misconduct in the country. And let us not forget how several gymnasts, including Simone Biles, have complained about abuse.

The backlash MyKayla Skinner had to face…

Shortly after MyKayla Skinner’s initial comments, the backlash started. Even her Tokyo Olympics teammate, Biles, was unhappy. She posted a cryptic message on Instagram threads. “Not everyone needs a mic and a platform,” the 7x Olympic medalist wrote. Fans deciphered her message as an indirect response to MyKayla Skinner, who hosts the YouTube podcast Agree to Disagree with her husband.

Further, Jordan Chiles’s mother was more direct and terse with her response. “Whoa. She really said that out loud and posted it. That’s something…” Gina Chiles wrote on X.

Countless fans also expressed displeasure at MyKayla Skinner’s words. Post this, she uploaded Instagram stories explaining why she made those remarks and also apologized. While the Rio Olympics alternate said sorry, it came much later in her apology. “I feel like a lot of you guys had misinterpreted or misunderstood exactly what I was meaning or had said.” Skinner said.

MyKayla Skinner expressed her pride for the girls who’ll represent the USA at the Paris Olympics. She also pointed out that she was pumped up for the girls. Unfortunately, the damage was done. Skinner’s apology didn’t please too many people. Hezly Rivera’s sister too slammed the Olympic silver medalist on social media. The Naluda Magazine interview timing also didn’t help her cause.