Simone Biles has responded to nasty internet trolls who called her locks a “mess” during the Paris Olympics, warning them not to “comment on a black girl’s hair.”
The 27-year-old acclaimed athlete has made waves at the 2024 Games, leading Team USA to a career-high score of 172.296 during the qualifying round of the team gymnastics competition on Sunday.
But after her epic performance, X, formerly of Twitter, was inundated with unkind messages about the way her hair was styled.
According to one person, the Olympic gold medalist looked like she “just got out of bed,” while another on Twitter said her hair was “messy.” However, Simone had a fierce message for her haters.
On Tuesday morning, she responded to the negative reactions on Instagram. The athlete was not happy that people were talking about her appearance.
Simone Biles has responded to nasty internet trolls who called her hair a ‘mess’ during the Paris Olympics, warning them not to ‘comment on a black girl’s locks’
The 27-year-old athlete has been making waves at the 2024 Games, leading Team USA to a top score of 172.296 during the qualifying round of the team gymnastics competition on Sunday
Simone responded to the negative comments on Instagram on Tuesday morning and the athlete was not happy with the people talking about her appearance
“Don’t come for my hair,” she snapped.
Simone explained that she had her hair done before the event, but that it had involved a 45-minute bus ride in the extreme heat and no air conditioning.
“It happened, but the bus has no air conditioning and it’s 9,000 degrees,” the gymnast continued, sharing a video of herself sitting on the bus and holding a portable fan to her face.
“Oh, and it’s a 45 minute drive.”
In a second message she added: ‘I will hold your hand when I say this.
“Next time you want to comment on a black girl’s hair, don’t.”
Simone was the best in the all-around with the highest scores on floor and vault, despite suffering from a calf injury.
But then her hairstyle became a hot topic of conversation on social media.
But after her epic performance, X, formerly of Twitter, was inundated with unkind messages about the way her hair was styled
On Instagram, Simone explained that she had her hair “done” for the event, but that it involved a 45-minute bus ride in the extreme heat with no air conditioning.
She added: ‘I will hold your hand when I say this. Next time you want to comment on a black girl’s hair, just don’t.’
“I don’t get it. Did Simone Biles purposely not do her hair? Every gymnast clearly has her gel/spray down and a tight, sleek hairdo,” wrote one critic.
‘Her bun is literally flapping around with messy bits everywhere. It almost looks… on purpose. WTF.’
“The fact that Simone Biles never gets her due makes me angry,” another hater exclaimed.
“Everyone on the team is together, and she looks like she just rolled out of bed.”
“Simone Biles’ hairstylist needs to be fired,” read a third tweet, while a fourth read: “Simone Biles really needs to talk to whoever did her hair.”
Others, however, supported Simone, as one fan wrote on Twitter: “I really wish people would stop talking about Simone’s hair while she’s breaking records.”
“If there’s one more person asking why Simone Biles’ hair is messed up… She’s literally flying and flipping through the air,” another user commented.
“Anyone who’s worried about Simone’s hair is really worried about the wrong thing. Stay afloat, Queen,” cheered another supporter.
But some fans defended her hair on social media
Simone was the best all-rounder with the highest scores on floor and vault, despite having a calf injury
She will be present at every event during the finals, when three gymnasts compete and all three scores count
The Americans are strong contenders for gold after finishing second behind Russia in Tokyo three years ago.
“I hate people, especially women, who comment on Simone Biles’ hair,” one person wrote.
“Because you don’t all do somersaults and win medals.”
Simone will be present at every event of the final, where three gymnasts will compete and all three scores will count.
The Americans are the big favorites for gold after finishing second behind the Russians in Tokyo three years ago.
The 27-year-old famous withdrew from many events at the 2020 Tokyo Gamesafter she tripped during her jump.
She later revealed that she suffered from something called “twisties” – a mental block that leaves gymnasts feeling “lost in the air.”
The athlete also has indicated that the incident was related to the sexual abuse she had suffered at the hands of pedophile doctor Larry Nassar.
She was one of more than 150 gymnasts abused by Larry, the former national team doctor, during his 30-year career. In 2019, she said the trauma of the attacks left her struggling with suicidal thoughts.
