The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced it is moving closer to protecting the women’s category in the Olympics. That’s a long-overdue step in the right direction. I’d be thrilled to see the IOC take the next step. But even more dearly, I’d love to hear the voices of the elite female athletes who are done compromising on fairness and safety finally say it out loud. It’s time to tell our side.
I spent 20 years of my life competing at the highest level of gymnastics. It was an incredible journey — one that shaped me in every possible way — but it also came with its fair share of challenges. I qualified for the 2016 Olympic team, but I was passed over and moved to an alternate spot. I watched from the bench as my teammates won gold.
Simone Biles, the legendary Olympic gymnast, has always been a symbol of strength, grace, and elite athleticism. But recently, she made headlines for a different reason — confirming she’s had breast implants. After months of speculation, she’s finally opened up about her decision. In doing so, she’s sparking a larger conversation about body autonomy, self-love, and the courage to own one’s choices.
Why This Revelation Matters
Understanding the context and impact of Simone’s admission is important — not only for fans, but for everyone watching a public figure navigate personal growth under the spotlight.
The Unfiltered Truth: Simone’s Three Cosmetic Procedures
Her TikTok “Guess What I Did” Moment
In a candid “Get Unready With Me” TikTok video, Simone surprised her followers by revealing she’s had three plastic surgeries. She playfully challenged her audience to guess what they were, hinting that two of them are nearly invisible.
What She Confirmed: Blepharoplasty, Earlobe Repair & Breast Augmentation
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Lower Blepharoplasty: Simone shared she underwent eyelid surgery to reduce hereditary under-eye bags, calling them “the Biles eye bags.”
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Earlobe Repair: She fixed her earlobe after an injury from a childhood earring accident.
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Breast Augmentation: The cherry emoji wasn’t just for show — she confirmed she got implants.
Why Simone Did It: Her Motivations
Self-Love Over External Validation
Simone was very clear: her breast augmentation wasn’t about hating her body or chasing someone else’s ideal. She said it was about feeling good in her own skin.
Owning Her Choice — No Shame Attached
She emphasized that this was her decision, and she stands by it with no regrets. According to her, part of being honest is encouraging others, especially young girls, to make their own decisions — and feel no shame in them.
How She Shared It
From TikTok to People Interview
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She first teased the surgeries on TikTok, making it interactive and lighthearted.
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Then, in an exclusive interview with People, she opened up more deeply about why she made those choices.
A Symbolic Cherry Emoji
Simone has a knack for subtlety. She referenced her breast augmentation with cherries — both in comments and in her social media.
Addressing Her Past Experiences with Botox
Simone didn’t just talk about surgery — she also revealed she tried Botox on her 27th birthday. But she wasn’t happy with the result: she said it messed with her expressions, leaving her with a “floating eyebrow.”
This bit of honesty is part of her larger message: it’s about making choices for you, not to fit a mold.
The Broader Message: Body Autonomy & Young Girls
Challenging Social Media Pressure
Simone highlighted how unrealistic beauty standards can be online. She wants her openness to show that even someone like her, who seems “perfect,” makes deeply personal decisions about their body — and that’s okay.
Empowering Confidence
Her message is stronger than cosmetic surgery. It’s about owning your body, in whatever form or shape you want — and reminding young people that their worth isn’t tied to perfection.
Family Ties: The “Biles Eye Bags”
One of the most touching parts of her story is how she talked about her family — apparently, under-eye bags run in her family, and she’s addressed them with surgery.
By sharing that hereditary background, she’s also normalizing how genetics play a role in our appearance.
Public Reaction: Support, Surprise, and Respect
Fans Applaud Her Honesty
Many fans appreciated how grounded and real Simone was being. Her transparency resonated — especially with people who may feel judged or insecure about their own cosmetic decisions.
Critics and Skeptics
Of course, not everyone was on board. Some questioned how it might affect her athletic career, while others debated whether public figures should disclose such personal choices.
What This Means for Simone’s Future
Athletics & Body Image
While Simone’s surgeries were personal choices, her athletic legacy remains unaffected. She’s still Simone Biles, the GOAT of gymnastics.
A New Role Model for Self-Acceptance
Beyond her medals, Simone is now becoming a powerful figure in the self-love and body positivity space. Her story may encourage more honest dialogues around plastic surgery.
Lessons We Can All Learn
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It’s okay to make changes to your body for yourself.
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Transparency can be a form of empowerment.
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Self-love includes being honest about our insecurities and growth.
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Public figures revealing personal choices can humanize societal pressures.
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Genetic traits (like under-eye bags) don’t have to be lifelong burdens.
Conclusion
Simone Biles’ decision to confirm her breast augmentation is about more than just plastic surgery — it’s about authenticity, self-acceptance, and owning your journey. In a world that often demands perfection, her message is refreshingly real: you get to define your beauty. Her courage opens up space for honest conversations about body autonomy, and that alone makes it a powerful moment.
FAQs
1. Did Simone Biles say when she got her breast implants?
No, she didn’t specify an exact date. She confirmed the augmentation after fans guessed in a TikTok video.
2. Why did she use a cherry emoji?
The cherry emoji was her playful way of hinting at the breast surgery — a symbol she’s used in her social media teasing.
3. Was Simone unhappy with her body before the surgery?
Not necessarily. She stressed that her decision wasn’t born out of self-loathing, but rather a desire to feel even more comfortable in her own body.
4. What other surgeries has she had?
Besides the breast augmentation, she’s had a lower blepharoplasty (to address under-eye bags) and earlobe repair from a childhood injury.
5. What’s her bigger message for young women and fans?
Simone encourages self-acceptance and transparency. She hopes her story empowers others to make their own choices — without shame, and with confidence.
