Simone Bilesdeserves a gold medal for her statement-making style at the 2021Met Gala.
“How do I feel in the dress? It’s definitely heavy, but I feel beautiful, strong, and empowered,” she told the outlet on Monday before walking the red carpet.
Her surprise red carpet appearance comes less than two months after her inspiring showing at theTokyo Summer Olympics, where she removed herself from four out of five event finalsto prioritize her mental health.
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Biles joined fellow Olympic GOAT,track and field star Allyson Felix, who wore Fendi, as well as Gap Inc.’s CEO Sonia Syngal.
This is the first time the activewear brand has designed for the famous fashion fête.
“This moment is particularly emblematic of Athleta’s commitment to supporting their athletes as whole people, and recognizing their passions and achievements in and outside of sport,” a rep for the brand shared in a statement.
In April,Biles announced a partnershipwith the apparel company’s Athleta Girl line, teaming with the brand on multiple capsule collections designed for young athletes.
Be sure to check out all of PEOPLE’sMet Gala coverageto get the latest news on fashion’s biggest night.
“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 to do the same,” Biles shared at the time.
She added, “The opportunity to encourage young girls to reach their full potential and be a force for change is incredibly powerful. I admire Athleta for their commitment to recognize and support women’s individual and collective strength and, together I believe we can help girls to confidently and passionately take on the world in their athletic endeavors and beyond.”
“Can’t believe it’s already been a month. Definitely not the way I planned the olympics going but I wouldn’t change anything for the world 🤎,” she wrote alongside a photo of her two medals — a silver for women’s artistic team all-around and a bronze for women’s balance beam.
She added, “I’m proud of myself and the career I’ve had thus far. This olympics doesn’t erase the past accomplishments I’ve achieved nor does it define who I am as an athlete. I’ve pushed through so much the past couple years, the word quitter is not in my vocabulary.”
“Sometimes when we speak on these things, then we become the face of it. I’m not sure if I’m completely ready for that aspect of it,” Biles shared in a recent interviewwith PEOPLE.
“Over the years, obviously, since I’ve been so dominant everybody supports the gymnastics and praised me for what I’ve done in the gym and not really outside,” Biles added. “Then once I took a step back, I obviously was expecting to feel a lot of backlash and embarrassment. But it’s the complete opposite. That’s the first time I felt human. Besides Simone Biles, I was Simone, and people kind of respected that.”
source: people.com
