The SHOCKING Story Behind Simone Biles & Taylor Swift’s Friendship | HO

This is the story of Simone Biles friendship with Taylor Swift.

I can’t tell you how much I love Taylor and her music, but she also dedicated something so special to me that I’ll never forget. Here’s the untold story behind Taylor Swift and Simone Biles’s friendship. Simone Biles is easily one of the most respected and beloved athletes of all time, so it’s no surprise that she has befriended some of the most influential people of our generation.

When asked why she turned to singing, Taylor Swift said, “When it was clear to me that I wasn’t going to be a national gymnast, I was like, okay, let me see what I can do or see what else I can be. So it was kind of like a hidden talent.” But perhaps the most interesting relationship is her friendship with Taylor Swift.

The internet went crazy in 2024 when Simone Biles teased her new floor routine. What was crazy about this routine, besides the display of gymnastic mastery and grace, was her ode to Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift took to Instagram to share her thoughts about Biles’s tribute, saying, “Watched it so many times and still not ready. She is ready for it, though.”

What many fans don’t know is that Taylor Swift and Simone Biles’s friendship originated during one of the darkest times in Simone Biles’s life. In a stunning turn of events at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles, the decorated American gymnast and global icon, withdrew from several events, citing mental health concerns. This decision, while surprising to many, underscored the immense pressures elite athletes face and highlighted the importance of mental health in sports. Biles experienced a phenomenon known as the twisties during the games, a mental block that disrupts a gymnast’s spatial awareness, making it extremely difficult and dangerous to perform complex aerial maneuvers. This condition posed a significant risk of injury, making it unsafe for Biles to continue competing.

During this time, many tabloids and reporters criticized Biles’s decision, calling her selfish for bowing out. “I had to put myself first,” she says. Now, we are celebrating athletes who do that, though it used to be the exact opposite. Biles has stated that it was one of the darkest periods of her life. But during that time, Taylor Swift offered support to Biles. When asked about her opinion in a statement to NBC in Tokyo, Swift said, “Throughout the last week, her voice has been as significant as her balance. Her honesty is as beautiful as the perfection that had long been her signature.” Swift continued, “But don’t you see it still is? She’s perfectly human, and that’s what makes it so easy to call her a hero.”

Simone, who was honored to be called a hero by Swift, replied, “I’m crying.” Imagine being in the depths of despair over having made such a difficult decision, having the world judge you, and then seeing a message of support from Taylor Swift. That’s exactly what happened next. Swift replied directly to Simone Biles with this special message: “I cried watching you. I feel so lucky to have gotten to watch you all these years, but this week was a lesson in emotional intelligence and resilience. We all learned from you. Thank you.”

Biles never forgot about the kindness which Taylor Swift showed her during her time of need. In later years, she would take every opportunity to praise Taylor Swift. She notably presented Taylor Swift with her Gracie’s Grand Award for her documentary “Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions.” “I can’t tell you how much I love Taylor and her music, but folklore is not the only incredible thing she did during this ongoing pandemic. She has shown immense grace and generosity to many of her fans in need, including me.”

Taylor accepted her award via video with a special shoutout to Simone: “Oh hey, guys. I wanted to say, first of all, thank you, Simone Biles, for presenting this award to me. I absolutely adore you, and that just really made my heart skip a beat.”

Simone Biles, for years to come, will keep Swift in her mind. Perhaps the most amazing tribute is incorporating Swift’s music into her routine. Simone Biles was seen using Swift’s songs for her floor routine, which she choreographed with French dancer Gregory Milan for the 2024 Olympic games. Using Swift’s music on the biggest stage, with the whole world watching, is perhaps the greatest gift Biles could have given to Swift.

Taylor Swift has been no stranger to mental health struggles. She has been vocal about her struggles with mental health, including anxiety, depression, and an eating disorder. “I’ve learned over the years it’s not good for me to see pictures of myself every day, ’cause I tend to get triggered by something. Whether it’s a picture of me where I feel like my tummy was too big or someone said that I looked pregnant or something, and that’ll just trigger me to starve a little bit.”

By sharing her personal experiences, she has helped to normalize conversations about mental health and encouraged her fans to seek help when needed. Her openness has provided a sense of solidarity and support to many who face similar challenges. Taylor Swift is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, launching a petition for the Equality Act and incorporating LGBTQ+ themes in her music. She promotes gender equality and women’s rights, speaking out against sexism and supporting the #MeToo movement, including donating to organizations aiding sexual assault survivors after winning her own case. Increasingly involved in political advocacy, she encourages voting and supports progressive candidates and causes through endorsements and her song “Only the Young.” Swift has donated millions to disaster relief, education, healthcare, and COVID-19 efforts, supporting various charities and organizations. Her social media presence amplifies awareness of issues like Black Lives Matter, voting rights, and mental health.

This is likely why she took a liking to Biles, whose bravery during the 2020 games highlighted the importance of mental health. During an interview, a giddy Simone Biles explained how her team and Taylor Swift’s team are in contact. “Taylor Swift commented and said she wasn’t ready, but you’re ready. Did she know that you were going to use her music? Did you all chat about that?” Biles responded, “I think my team talks to her team sometimes, and I’ve met her a couple of times, so it’s been really sweet.” From the look on her face, you can see the admiration Biles has for one of her heroes.

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