Fans rush to Simone Biles’ defense as critics call her hair ‘unkempt’ months after ‘anti-black’ attacks on gymnast’s appearance

Simone Biles just cannot escape the web trolls who’ve been criticizing her hair for years.

On September 23, what began as a joke changed into a heated conversation concerning the athlete’s hair. Sydney, a tattoo artist from Scottsdale, Arizona, posted a video revealing the tattoo on Biles’ neck that she had done two days earlier.

A video that was supposed to show the before and after of a “Made In Heaven” neck tattoo only shows a close-up of the back of the person’s head and neck.

Although Biles was tagged within the post, The Shade Room hosted a guessing game, asking its fans, “#Roomies, can you guess which female icon recently got this tattoo?”

Fans immediately recognized Biles as the topic, based on the way in which her hair was styled in a signature messy bun, a low-maintenance style she often opts for when she competes in regular competitions or on the Olympics.

One person recognized her handwriting: “Simone Biles. The back of her head is recognizable anywhere.”

Others, nonetheless, took the joke to the subsequent level, making fun of the 27-year-old’s hair care routine.

One person said: “I knew it was Simone, she’s never had her hair done.” Another, who seemed annoyed, said: “Why would she do that, just get a perm at this point, I’m sick of it.” Another wrote: “It was the curly hair and high ponytail that gave me away!”

Biles’ defenders said, “Black women commenting negatively on another black woman’s hair is very… anti-black” and “Self-hatred, no one has amazing hair like us. #theydontlikeus, period!”

Biles had been coping with comments about her hair for years before she became the world’s most decorated gymnast in 2016, to the purpose where she had to either respond to those comments or get ahead of herself with fans.

Earlier this yr, ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Biles shared a photograph of herself on Instagram with her hair in a ponytail. She wrote, “Don’t come at me about my hair. THIS WAS DONE, but the bus has NO air conditioning and it’s like 90,000 degrees. Oh, and a 45-minute ride,” while holding what appears to be a fan.

In a second clip on her Instagram Story, she said: “I’ll hold your hand while I say this. Next time you want to comment on a black girl’s hair. JUST DON’T DO IT.”

Some fans have expressed concern that her hairstyle isn’t smooth or looks as elegant as some would really like.

In an interview given in July Elle this yr, she said, “Most of the negative feedback has come from our own community, which is unfortunate. I really don’t care if my edges aren’t smooth.”

She continued: “I used to worry that (my hair wouldn’t be considered professional),” she added. “But I’m not ashamed of it anymore.”

Instead, the 11-time Olympic medalist has set her sights on one other endeavor outside of sports. Biles recently revealed plans to open a restaurant business called “Taste of Gold” in partnership with The Playmaker Group in his hometown of Houston. The restaurant will open at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in early 2025, according to local outlet Click2Houston.com

In response to the news, Biles said, “I am very excited to be working with The Playmakers Group and their dedicated team to help open a new restaurant at my hometown airport. I am a foodie at heart, and our hope at Taste of Gold is to offer beautiful culinary experiences, including award-winning signature dishes with some of my favorite flavors added for our guests.”