Simone Biles has publicly defended her husband, Jonathan Owens, amid criticism over his wearing of one of her Olympic gold medals. Simone Biles, who achieved remarkable success at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, securing three gold medals and holding a total of ten Olympic medals, faced backlash after Owens shared a photo on Instagram where he was seen holding and wearing one of her medals. The post, which celebrated the U.S. women’s gymnastics team’s victory in the all-around competition, drew mixed reactions from the public.
Owens, a Chicago Bears football player, expressed his pride in Simone Biles’s accomplishments, stating, “Witnessing history every time you step on the mat. Congrats baby on becoming the most decorated American gymnast in Olympic history!!!! Just wow!!!! 8 of them!!!!! So thankful I was there to see it.” Despite his heartfelt message, several online users criticized him for wearing the medal, accusing him of overstepping and taking credit for her achievements.
In response to the criticism, Simone Biles took to social media to defend her husband. She addressed the backlash in a TikTok comment, explaining that she had previously shared her medals with family members and took pictures with them. She urged critics to refrain from making assumptions and expressed frustration over the negativity directed at her family, stating, “Crazy thing is, I put my medal on every single one of my family members and took pictures. So don’t ever make assumptions. Like y’all are so f**** miserable. Leave us alone.”
The controversy surrounding Owens is not new. In 2023, Owens faced criticism for remarks he made about first meeting Simone Biles on the elite dating app Raya in 2020, claiming he was unaware of her Olympic achievements at the time. This comment drew criticism from fans and followers, and Simone Biles later revealed on the ‘Call Her Daddy’ podcast that while she initially found the comments amusing, they eventually hurt her feelings. She emphasized her desire to protect her family from unwarranted scrutiny, stating, “Talk about me all you want, but don’t come for my family, never.”
The ongoing public debate highlights the intense scrutiny faced by celebrities and their families, and Simone Biles’s response underscores her commitment to defending her loved ones amid the spotlight.
