Simone Biles has delivered a pointed response to those who criticized her hair as she clinched gold at the Olympics.
The Olympian has just led the USA team to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics Games, marking the fourth in US history.
As part of the gymnastics team that includes Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera, Sunisa Lee, and Jade Carey, Biles and her teammates have truly made history.
This achievement makes Biles the most decorated US Olympic gymnast, with five gold medals, one silver, and two bronzes.
Due to her outstanding performance in the gymnastics event in France, Biles has been making numerous headlines recently.
Given that Biles’ performances are closely watched around the world, it’s no surprise that many are scrutinizing the small details of her performance.
One crucial aspect of a gymnast’s preparation is how they manage their hair, to ensure it doesn’t interfere during the competition.
Biles opted to perform with her hair in a ponytail, which seems like a logical choice.
However, with the internet being what it is, social media quickly filled with jibes.
One person remarked that Biles appeared to have ‘just rolled out of bed,’ while another called her hairstyle ‘sloppy.’
The Olympic champion addressed the criticism on Instagram.
She wrote: “Don’t come for me about my hair.
“IT WAS DONE but bus has no AC and it’s like 9,000 degrees. Oh and a 45-minute ride.”
The following Instagram story showed Biles fanning her face due to the intense heat.
“Gonna hold your hand when I say this,” she captioned.
“Next time you wanna comment on a Black girl’s hair. JUST DON’T.”
In response to the trolls, many have defended Biles.
One person commented on Facebook: “The only thing I noticed about this young lady is how AMAZING she is!!”
Another added: “Leave her alone. She’s well respected and respectful. She’s a great representative of the US.”
Biles discussed her hair in an interview with Elle earlier this month.
She expressed her appreciation for social media bringing Black women together and teaching her more about hair and beauty.
She said: “We’ve [Black women] been able to take care of our hair better and take care of our beauty routines better, because it’s self-taught. It’s really special that we have access to those platforms.
“I used to worry about [my hair being considered] not professional. But I’m not embarrassed about it anymore.”