Connect with us

Celebrity Coverage

Simone Biles Creates HERstory (Again) During the 2024 Paris Olympics – and Admits It’s Because of Therapy – Essence

Published

on

PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 1: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Alternate version) Gold medalist Simone Biles of Team USA poses with the Olympic rings and a goat pendant on her necklace during the medal ceremony in the women’s all-around final in artistic gymnastics on day six of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena on August 1, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

There’s no denying her greatness, and Simone Biles is just the GOAT relating to her sport of gymnastics and track and field. On August 1, 2024, the nine-time Olympic medalist won gold after a difficult but good performance in Paris during the women’s all-around final.

She won, beating Brazilian Rebeca Andrade, who took silver, and U.S. teammate Suni Lee, who took bronze.

Simone Biles Creates HERstory (Again) During the 2024 Paris Olympics – and Admits It's Because of Therapy
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 1: Olympic champion and gold medalist Simone Biles of Team USA and Rebecca Andrade of Team Brazil compete on the parallel bars during the women’s all-around final in artistic gymnastics on day six of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena on August 1, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stefan Matzke – sampics/Getty Images)

The gymnastics star made history once more by becoming the first woman since 1968 to win two all-around Olympic titles, having first won them in Rio in 2016. But her path to the 2024 Games has not been easy.

“Three years ago, I never thought I’d ever step foot on a gymnastics floor again, just because of everything that happened. But with the help of Cecile and Laurent (her coaches), I got back in the gym and worked really hard physically and mentally,” the 2024 women’s all-around Olympic gold medalist said after her historic event.

“Even this morning at 7 a.m. I met with my therapist and the time change happened. She’s amazing that she’s allowed me to do this the last few days in Paris. So she’s just making sure that I’m in good mental shape and I think that shows on the competition floor.”

Simone Biles Creates HERstory (Again) During the 2024 Paris Olympics – and Admits It's Because of Therapy
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 1: Gold medalist Simone Biles celebrates with the American flag after the women’s all-around competition in artistic gymnastics on day six of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena on August 1, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

This is Biles’ second gold medal at the Summer Olympics. She first won on July 30, 2024, in the U.S. women’s all-around final. Next week, Biles will compete in three additional equipment finals, which could bring her total number of Olympic medals in 2024 to 5.

After a somewhat shaky performance on the asymmetric bars during the individual finals, Biles was seen on the sidelines in a meditative state that was seen by those watching around the world as a return to zen, especially since she has been very open about her mental health — revealing that she sees her therapist almost day by day during the games and once per week overall.

“I’m not sure what the camera caught or what I was doing, but I was probably trying to focus and center myself. Because it’s not over until it’s over.”

The bars were the second event of the night, and the most decorated gymnast of all time was under pressure. Brazil’s Andrade also had something to prove, and based on Biles, she’s at all times the only woman in the sport who can truly match her. The two battled it out for 4 rotations, with the 25-yr-old Brazilian taking first place after rotation 3. It all got here all the way down to the freestyle, which proved to be the best event for each women.

Simone Biles Creates HERstory (Again) During the 2024 Paris Olympics – and Admits It's Because of Therapy
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 1: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Multiple exposures were combined in-camera to create this image.) Simone Biles of Team USA competes in the freestyle exercise during the women’s all-around final in artistic gymnastics on day six of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena on August 1, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images)

With Beyoncé’s songs incorporated into each routines, the ladies gave it their all and left their hearts on the mat. In the end, Biles won gold together with her best floor performance of the Paris Games, scoring 15.066 points. When it was all said and done, the two ladies could possibly be seen embracing, genuinely blissful for one another despite the media’s attempts to pit them against one another.

“I don’t want to compete with Rebecca anymore, I’m tired,” Biles joked during a post-event interview. “She’s definitely too close, I’ve never been that close to any competitor, so that definitely put me on my feet. But it definitely brought out the best competitor in me and I’m proud to compete with her. I was.”

“Overall, I’m super proud of my performance today and the fight I’ve put in over the last three years, mentally and physically, just to get back to competing on the world stage. I couldn’t be more proud.”

With gymnastics competition coming to a detailed soon, fans are wondering what’s next for Biles. Will she officially retire from competition or proceed competing internationally? While nothing has been confirmed yet, she did say at the 2024 USA Gymnastics tryouts that she would deal with the 2024 Gold Over America Tour in Paris, and once that’s done, she’ll make a choice on what’s next.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Celebrity Coverage

ICYMI: Megan Thee Stallion’s Bob and More – Essence

Published

on

By

@lizzo @theestallion / Instagram

Between fashion month, awards shows, and fancy dinners, celebrity beauty moments are at their peak. And over the past week, we’ve spotted quite a lot of pre-fall hair and makeup looks. From black bobs with bangs to doll makeup and oval nails, A-list stars are leaning toward soft power.

For example, Naomi Campbell and 2024 VMA host Megan Thee Stallion swapped their trendy blonde bobs for black ones and added thick, blunt bangs as a “power” beauty moment. Sabrina Elba, however, opted for a medium brown color (which matched her earthy-toned makeup and oval nails), curtain bangs, and sides tucked behind her ear.

Meanwhile, artists Tems and Lizzo had an almost equivalent makeup moment, transforming into life-size dolls: Diana Ross lashes, round blush, under-eye powder, and dark, glossy lips. While the previous preferred to say innocence, Halle Bailey’s red lips and Flo Milli’s bronze finish showed that sex appeal can be on this season.

In case you missed it, take a look at 18 celebrity moments from this week.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading

Celebrity Coverage

Primetime Emmys 2024: Full Winners List – Essence

Published

on

By

Photo by VALERIE MACON

The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards was an evening of celebration, triumph and recognition of excellence in the tv industry. The ceremony took place on the LA Live Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, just eight months after last 12 months’s postponed event, sending shockwaves through viewers all over the world.

One of the night’s standout moments was when Liza Colón-Zayas accepted the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role within the FX series. Colón-Zayas delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech, recognizing the importance of diverse representation in television. Her performance as Tina, a fiercely loyal member of the kitchen staff on the critically acclaimed series, resonated with viewers, and her win contributed to the show’s growing success, which has already earned seven Creative Arts Emmy Awards this 12 months.

Lamorne Morris also had an excellent night, winning for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Anthology for his outstanding performance in a series on FX. Known for his comedic brilliance as Winston in The FX Series, Morris has shown his range in popular dramas, delivering nuanced performances in a task that has charmed audiences. His win was met with huge applause, as he became considered one of the few black actors to receive recognition within the category.

The 2024 Emmy Awards also featured plenty of notable Black performers. They received several nominations, and Damon Wayans, Giancarlo Esposito, Niecy Nash, Viola Davis and Susan Kelechi Watson took the stage as presenters, highlighting the growing visibility and influence of Black actors in Hollywood.

The In Memoriam segment, all the time a moving moment within the ceremony, paid tribute to a few of the most cherished names in entertainment. The emotional ballad “I Am Not Okay” provided the backdrop for the moving tribute because the audience remembered the abilities lost this 12 months, including legendary black actors Louis Gossett Jr., Carl Weathers, James Earl Jones. Their contributions to the industry were honored with deep respect, and their legacy continues to encourage future generations of performers.

FX had an excellent showing at this 12 months’s Emmys, leading the drama categories with a powerful 14 Creative Arts Emmys. It continued its winning streak within the comedy race, coming inside a whisker of breaking its own record for probably the most wins by a comedy series. Meanwhile, Netflix dominated the limited series categories.

Overall, the 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards showcased not only the perfect of television, but in addition a big shift toward more inclusive representation and storytelling. With people of color like Colón-Zayas and Morris taking home top honors, the evening was a testament to the industry’s progress in recognizing diverse voices on screen.

To see the total list of winners, click HERE.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading

Celebrity Coverage

NFL History Makers: Meet Edy Lawson-Jackson and Samira Jackson, the First Mother-Daughter Agent Team – Essence

Published

on

By

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – SEPTEMBER 6: The NFL logo on the field before and during the NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles on September 6, 2024 at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Leandro Bernardes/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Breaking barriers in the world of sports is not any easy task, especially in a league as male-dominated as the NFL.

Edy Lawson-Jackson and her daughter Samira Jackson did just that by becoming first-ever mother-daughter duo to be certified by the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) as sports agents. Their journey will not be only historic, but in addition a testament to the resilience, exertions and dedication of Black women who’re making strides in industries where they’re underrepresented.

Edy Lawson-Jackson, a Maryland native, began her profession in sports law in the late Nineteen Eighties, with a deal with athlete representation. Throughout her profession, Edy has been an advocate for expanding opportunities for girls and people of color in the sports industry. In 2010, she earned her NFL agent certification, becoming one among the few Black women to represent skilled football players at the highest level.

For her daughter Samira, following in her mother’s footsteps was a natural step. Samira, a company finance skilled with a law degree, saw first-hand how her mother navigated the competitive world of national sports and decided to follow an analogous path. In 2022, Samira received NFLPA certificationmaking history as a member of the first mother-daughter team to represent NFL athletes.

The path to becoming an NFL agent is rigorous. Both Edy and Samira had to satisfy rigorous criteria to earn their NFLPA certifications, including passing a comprehensive exam, fulfilling continuing education requirements and demonstrating extensive knowledge of NFL regulations. The certification process is designed to make sure agents are fully prepared to represent the interests of NFL players in contract negotiations, marketing agreements and other skilled opportunities.

In an industry where women — especially Black women — are vastly underrepresented, the mother-daughter duo’s certification marks a pivotal moment. According to recent statistics, of the nearly 1,000 certified NFL agents, only 88 are womenand an excellent smaller fraction of them are black women. That makes the Jacksons’ achievement all the more remarkable, as they proceed to pave the way for future generations of ladies of color to follow of their footsteps.

Edy Lawson-Jackson’s profession in sports law spans greater than three a long time. After graduating from law school and passing the bar exam in the early Nineties, she worked in a wide range of legal fields, including entertainment and sports, gaining precious experience before becoming a licensed NFLPA agent in 2010. She has represented athletes, entertainers and other high-profile clients, with a deal with expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups in the industry.

In an interview for Edy reflected on her journey and the importance of working along with her daughter, “It’s been a long journey, but being able to do this work with my daughter is a dream come true. It’s really important to us to show that Black women belong in this space and that we can have a significant impact.” Samira echoed similar sentiments, stating that working along with her mother was each inspiring and empowering.

The sports industry, especially at the NFL level, has long been dominated by men. Both Edy and Samira faced challenges navigating a career that always excludes women and people of color from positions of power. Yet their determination to succeed and break barriers was unwavering.

Samira’s path to becoming an NFL agent wasn’t without its challenges. As a Black woman in corporate finance, she needed to prove herself in an industry that’s each competitive and proof against change before moving on to sports representation. But her resilience paid off, and in 2022, Samira joined her mother at Affiliated Sports Advisors (ASA), their joint firm, where they represent NFL players and proceed to develop their roster.

Edy and Samira’s historic accomplishment is greater than just a private milestone; it’s a robust reminder of the changing face of the NFL. As the first mother-daughter team to earn NFL agent certification, they’re a part of a broader movement to extend diversity and inclusivity in sports. Their work creates opportunities for other women—particularly Black women—to enter and thrive in industries where they’ve historically been excluded.

For many young women trying to break into the sports industry, Edy and Samira are role models who show that perseverance, exertions, and dedication can open doors. Their story is a testament to the power of family, heritage, and the influence of Black women in shaping industries which have long been dominated by others.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending