The athlete has previously addressed the impact of the internet’s opinions in her Netflix documentary, Simone Biles Rising. “People are way too comfortable commenting things,” she said, adding that “the beauty standard, everything, is just too much.”
It’s disappointing that one of the world’s greatest and most decorated athletes has to justify her hair not being perfect at every moment in the searing heat of summer. No matter their achievements, it seems that women are often reduced to their appearance. The pressure to keep up appearances is particularly heavy on Black women, who typically have to second guess whether their hairstyle of choice will be viewed as acceptable in social, education and workspaces due to prejudice.
In an interview with Elle ahead of the Olympics, Biles revealed that throughout her career in the spotlight, she has grown a healthier relationship with her hair. “I’m finally learning to love my hair and the texture that I have and the styles that I can do,” she said. Speaking on people criticizing her 2023 wedding hairstyle, Biles noted that “most of the backlash we get is from our own community, which is unfortunate…I don’t really care if my edges aren’t smooth.”
There is often an expectation within Black communities to never look unkept and or have a hair out of place. Choosing not to conform to hair standards like intricately laid edges or gelling down any sign of a flyaway is viewed by some as undesirable.
These beauty standards are not only unrealistic for an athlete defying gravity and executing skills that no one else can match, but are also completely irrelevant to her job. Despite her superstardom, Biles has not been able to escape the judgement of some corners of the internet, thankfully, her legacy is much greater than any hairstyle.
