While Celebrities Focused on Fundraising, Simone Biles Had an Exclusive Plan for Her Met Gala Appearance in 2021

The Tokyo Olympics was deemed cursed. Simone Biles suffered a deep personal crisis—something that demanded patience; patience to heal from not holding “a lot of guilt that is not mine to hold.” Beaten and battered with insults calling her a “national embarrassment,” far from being a quitter, Biles rose herself from the ashes at the Met Gala 2021—shining brighter than the crystals on her dress or leotards and dancing her way through the red carpet in a gown graced with ostrich plumes.

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Much can be owed to the fact that, in April 2021, the seven-time Olympics medalist signed up with the Gap-owned company, Athleta. This decision worked in her favor as the deal opened up opportunities and better platforms for Simone Biles. Biles’s Met Gala debut, who attended as Athleta’s guest, too was powered by the brand. But it wasn’t just usual business for her at the Gala; Biles had her own agenda.

Simone Biles grace from the mat to the Met: “This is going to be a statement

Set against the backdrop of In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, the 2021 Met Gala primed the sports world for the much-awaited glimpse of Simone Biles. In the middle of the flash and splendor of the moment, Biles, styled by Leslie Fremar, stood as a symbol of power and resilience following her double medal exploits in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and most importantly, the backlash after her unanticipated exit. Now, Biles and

Fremar coming together to create her silver-trail Area x Athleta gown couldn’t have been more timely.

The statement? It will certainly take you back to the early and mid-20th century. Josephine Baker, an American-born French burlesque dancer, is deemed one of the very first black women who starred in a major film. An advocate for civil rights, Baker used her popularity and fame to good use, a great nod to something similar that Biles is keen on doing. In fact, when Biles initially signed up with Athleta, Biles then said, “Using my voice has been very empowering for me, and I am grateful to embark on this new journey with Athleta to inspire young girls and women.”