Olympic gymnastics icon Simone Biles has publicly detailed the personal reasons that led her to choose breast augmentation surgery, as part of a wider conversation about body image and self-love.
A Decision for Herself
In a candid interview with People Magazine, the 28-year-old athlete explained that her choice was not born from a lack of confidence or dislike for her body. "Okay, obviously you can notice the breasts," Biles stated, before stressing that the procedure was about "feeling good about yourself and loving yourself." She emphasised that she has always been vocal about self-acceptance, clarifying that the decision was something she noticed more because she lives in her own body.
Biles confirmed the procedure after speculation grew from her social media posts, including a TikTok video where she subtly hinted at the change with a cherry emoji.
Beyond the Boob Job: Other Procedures Revealed
Last month, on her TikTok page, the 11-time Olympic medalist revealed she has undergone three plastic surgery procedures in total. "Two of them, you would never be able to tell," she added.
Alongside the breast augmentation, Biles opted for a lower blepharoplasty. She explained this was to address hereditary "Biles eye bags" that she and her family have. She recounted how at photoshoots, teams would try to use strips to reduce their appearance, but the bags were a permanent feature she wanted to fix.
The third procedure was a corrective surgery on her ear, required after an earring was "ripped out" during her childhood.
Promoting Transparency in the Age of Social Media
Biles spoke powerfully about her motivation for sharing such personal details, drawing a distinction between her Olympic achievements and her relatable human experiences. "Seeing me win medals at the Olympics, that's not relatable," she said. "But what is relatable is how we feel about ourselves, what we talk about, what we go through and how we share openly, honestly."
She directly addressed the potential pitfalls of social media, stating she would rather be honest about any work she's had done than contribute to unrealistic beauty standards. "I feel like nowadays with social media, you see everyone and you're like, 'Oh my God, how does she look so good?' Social media is not real, so that's why I try to be as transparent as possible," Biles explained.
She also shared a past experience with Botox on her 27th birthday that she "didn't like" because it resulted in a "floating eyebrow." By sharing both the good and the bad, she hopes to empower others. "I also think it shows young girls that they have the right to their own choices, whatever they are, and that's no shame added as well," Biles affirmed. Her ultimate message is one of self-love: "As long as you love yourself, that's really all that matters."
