‘God Made Me This Way’: Simone Biles’ Transformation After Years of Body Shaming, in 30 Photos
From harsh comments about her physique to speculation about plastic surgery, Simone Biles has faced it all — yet she's remained grounded in faith, strength, and personal choice.
She's America's sweetheart in a leotard, but even Olympic greatness can't shield you from the claws of the internet.
Simone Biles poses with her parents and sister, from a post dated November 22, 2017 | Source: Facebook/simonebiles
Simone Biles, once hailed as "the most decorated American gymnast ever," has become a lightning rod for both adoration and abuse. And while the medals pile up, so do the judgmental whispers — about her body, her beauty, and now, her breast implants.
Simone Biles poses with her father and sister, from a post dated June 20, 2016 | Source: Facebook/simonebiles
Long before she dazzled the world with airborne perfection, Biles was just a young girl fighting to be seen for her talent, not her size.. At just 16, during a meet in 2013, a coach's nasty comment left a scar she'd carry for years.
Simone Biles pictured with her sister, from a post dated August 3, 2017 | Source: Instagram/simonebiles
Biles had faltered during a meet, and as she tried to regroup, the coach remarked it was because she was "too fat."
Simone Biles poses for a portrait after training at Bannon's Gymnastix on August 22, 2013 | Source: Getty Images
Biles told NBC Sports. "It was very sad because I feel like I'm a very petite young girl, and so to hear that at such a very young age, it just kind of shocked me."
Simone Biles poses after winning the Women's All-Round Final on Day Five of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Belgium on October 4, 2013 | Source: Getty Images
Still, in true Simone Biles fashion, she found strength in the sting. "I honestly don't think that's the reason that I fell apart...everything happens for a reason, so that had to happen for me to be where I am today," she stated.
Simone Biles stands on the podium before accepting her gold medal in the senior women finals during the P&G Gymnastics Championships on August 23, 2014 | Source: Getty Images
The unrelenting criticism didn't end as Biles rose to Olympic fame. As the spotlight grew hotter, so did the public scrutiny. Her hair, her legs, her body — all picked apart by strangers.
Simone Biles celebrates after winning the Women's All-Around Final in day four of the 45th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships on October 10, 2014 | Source: Getty Images
When a young girl once asked if she had ever faced mean-spirited remarks, Biles responded with raw honesty, "They focused on my hair. They focused on how big my legs were."
Simone Biles looks on during day ten of The World Artistic Gymnastics Championships on November 01, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
But her faith and unshakeable self-belief have never wavered. "God made me this way, and I feel like if I didn't have these legs or these calves, I wouldn't be able to tumble as high as I can and have all of these moves named after me," she asserted.
Simone Biles attends the Sherri Hill fashion show on September 12, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
She has since made body acceptance her personal mission. "Everyone was built with a body and they're blessed[...] You have to be confident in whatever God gave you because that's you, and you have to learn to love yourself," she once stated.
Simone Biles poses with her trophy during the Laureus World Sports Awards on February 14, 2017 | Source: Getty Images
In a candid 2024 Harper's Bazaar interview, Biles pulled back the curtain on beauty in the world of elite sports.
Simone Biles appears on "The Today Show" -season 67 on January 31, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
She explained, "For athletes, I think that beauty looks a little bit different for us[...] When you're training six to ten hours, you don't want a full face of make-up on."
Simone Biles looks on during the Women's All-Around Final on Day 7 of FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships on October 10, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
She praised figures like Alicia Keys who embrace a minimalist aesthetic, saying, "It's truly your personal preference and beauty isn't about what you wear, it's who you are inside."
Simone Biles poses for a picture, from a post dated October 14, 2020 | Source: Instagram/simonebiles
But Biles isn't immune to curiosity. In 2017, she shared an Instagram video flaunting freshly microbladed brows, saying she loved the result.
Simone Biles poses in a bikini, from a post dated September 20, 2020 | Source: Instagram/simonebiles
Then came her more experimental birthday beauty moment — and it didn't go as planned.
Simone Biles competes in the Women's Balance Beam Final on day 11 of the Tokyo Olympic Games on August 03, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
"For my 27th birthday, I got Botox, like baby Botox[...] and I did not like it," she admitted in a TikTok makeup video. "My eyebrow would be slowly going up[...] and I couldn't get it back down!"
Simone Biles poses, as seen in a post dated July 13, 2021 | Source: Instagram/simonebiles
Even her teammate Zoe noticed and exclaimed, "Simone, your eyebrows are doing it again."
Simone Biles attends The Inaugural STARZ #TakeTheLead Summit on May 19, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Biles laughed about the bizarre side effect — but swore off baby botox for good. "So not doing that again," she resolved.
Simone Biles poses, as seen in a post dated April 25, 2022 | Source: Instagram/simonebiles
In July 2025, Biles set social media ablaze after posting sun-soaked bikini snaps from Belize, where she vacationed with husband Jonathan Owens, a safety for the Chicago Bears.
Simone Biles looks on after her routine on the Uneven Bars during the Women's Team Final on Day Five of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships on October 4, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
What fans noticed wasn't just the ocean view — it was her noticeably fuller chest. Suddenly, the question was everywhere: Did Biles get breast implants?
Simone Biles seen in a post dated June 15, 2023 | Source: Instagram/simonebiles
Dr. Ruthie, a cosmetic surgeon, didn't hold back in a now-viral video. "Looking at her photos, she most likely had [an] implant size of between 350 to 420[...] and she most likely chose silicone implants[...] placed under the muscle," she observed.
Simone Biles celebrates with her gold medal on the podium after her victory on the vault apparatus during Artistic Gymnastics, Women's Vault Final on August 3, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Dr. Dino Mendez chimed in, "Her breasts look more full [sic], more round compared to previous pictures... It seems like it’s pretty fresh... very likely a small implant was used... probably in the low 200cc range."
Simone Biles participates in a workout on February 5, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
He also shared his thoughts about Biles's career decisions. "Typically, after breast augmentations, patients are able to regain full function and strength. However, for the GOAT of gymnastics, and an elite athlete like herself, I don't think she would take that risk before retiring from her career," he speculated.
Simone Biles seen in a post dated January 29, 2024 | Source: Instagram/simonebiles
Simone Biles attends the Kentucky Derby 151 at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
A third surgeon agreed, echoing, "She has no body fat and wouldn't have enough to graft... Probably has a silicone augmentation... moderate plus or high profile implant... landed at being a solid C-cup."
Simone Biles attends the Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" on May 5, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Adding to the speculations about her career, she said, "It's probably something that Simone has been waiting to do for a very long time and unfortunately I guess it probably signifies that she's officially retired from the sport of gymnastics."
Simone Biles attends the ESPY Awards on July 16, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Reactions were swift and speculative. One concerned Instagram fan wrote, "Umm…I think it’s obvious she did, but it's her life! I hope it doesn't affect her career?"
Simone Biles with her husband Jonathan Owens, seen in a post dated July 7, 2025 | Source: Instagram/simonebiles
Another fan added, "So she really really retired. 😢 She looks amazing and confident."
Simone Biles seen in a post dated July 7, 2025 | Source: Instagram/simonebiles
A third, more wistful, posted on Facebook, "I'm guessing she officially retired!"
So — is she done?
Simone Biles poses as seen in a post dated March 17, 2025 | Source: Instagram/simonebiles
At the 2025 U.S. Classic near Chicago, Biles made an appearance that raised eyebrows — this time not for her looks, but for her absence on the mat. She was there only as a spectator.
Simone Biles seen in a post dated September 4, 2025 | Source: Instagram/simonebiles
"I'm so happy that I was in the stands and not competing," she told Olympics.com. "It takes a mental toll on you as well as a physical toll."
Simone Biles with her husband Jonathan Owens, seen in a post dated August 11, 2025 | Source: Instagram/simonebiles
When asked if she misses the thrill, Biles responded, "It's only been a year[...] I don't get up every day and think like, 'Oh, I wish I could flip.' I flipped for 22 years of my life, so being right side up is kind of nice."
Simone Biles seen posing in a bikini, from a post dated February 20, 2025 | Source: Instagram/simonebiles
Through every stage of fame, fire, and fierce speculation, Simone Biles has stayed true to herself. Whether confronting cruel body shaming, dabbling in beauty treatments, or quietly stepping back from gymnastics, her self-confidence remains intact.