The four-time Olympic gold medalist opens up to 'Vanity Fair' about her marriage to NFL player Jonathan Owens.
Olympic gymnast Simone Biles is shedding light on her relationship with Green Bay Packers safety Jonathan Owens, discussing their journey -- from a chance meeting to a wedding celebration that surpassed the joy of winning her first Olympics.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, on newsstands Jan. 23, Biles also opens up about her challenging experience at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where she faced mental health struggles and withdrew from multiple competitions. Biles recalls the moment when she knew something was wrong, and her friend, Rachel Roettger, noticed the worry on her face, leading to a revelation about the "twisties" – a disconnect between mind and body in gymnastics.
Amid some criticism she faced for withdrawing, Biles found unwavering support in Owens. The NFL pro, who was playing for the Houston Texans at the time, became a pillar of strength during Biles' difficult time, as she prioritized her well-being over public perception.
"[They] tried to put me on this pedestal as a mental health advocate," she says. "I was not OK with that. If I can be a lending hand and help people, then I’ll be open, honest, and vulnerable, but you cannot stick me in front of a crowd and say, 'Do everything she's doing.'"
Biles shares the story of how she and Owens met on an invite-only dating app in 2020. "I had just broken up [with someone] and my friend was like, ‘Get on Raya, get on Raya,'" Biles recalls. "My guard went straight up when she said dating site."
Despite her initial skepticism, Biles matched with Owens in the first week and met him in person a few days later. The couple quickly became inseparable, spending their early dates watching movies, playing games, and enjoying each other's company during the pandemic.
"The second week I met him in person," she says, "and the rest is history. We were hooked."
Owens, reflecting on their early interactions, praises Biles' contagious laughter and describes their conversations as effortless.
"She doesn’t like to admit it, but she messaged me first," says Owens. "I just noticed her laugh. It was just contagious. We could talk all day and we’d stayed up late, and there just wasn’t an awkward moment."
He admits to not initially realizing the extent of Biles' gymnastic prowess but was intrigued when he discovered her on Instagram.
"A lot of people don’t believe me when I say I had no clue," he insists of not knowing she was an Olympian. "I never once was like, 'Oh, let me check gymnastics out.'"
Things changed when he found Biles on Instagram. "I was like, man, she got a lot of followers, she must be pretty good."
Biles, in turn, playfully acknowledges Owens' attractiveness but emphasizes his kindness, sweetness, and unwavering confidence, stating, "He truly believes he's the best at everything."
The interview also touches upon Owens' proposal on Valentine's Day 2022 and the couple's intimate civil ceremony in Houston, Texas, followed by a lavish celebration in Mexico. Biles reflects on curating a guest list that made the occasion special and intimate, expressing her joy at the wedding, which she says surpassed the euphoria of her first Olympic victory.
"I was 19 when I won my first Olympics, and I was like, 'How am I supposed to top this?' My wedding topped it. It was the greatest feeling ever," she gushes.
Following the celebration, Owens joined the Green Bay Packers, prompting emotional farewells from Biles. Despite the challenges of a long-distance relationship due to their busy schedules, the couple remains devoted to making it work.
"We’re both so busy, so it’s not like I’m sitting [around] waiting for him to come home, but it’s just hard," she admits. "we love being with the Packers organization [and] Lambeau [stadium]. The fans are…I wouldn’t even call them crazy; they’re dedicated. They love their players as if those are their children."
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