Netflix has released a documentary about Simone Biles which is filled with fascinating details about the superstar gymnast’s life. The director has also shared insights into the hidden story behind the braiding of Simone’s hair, which is a topic that the public has discussed frequently, and the surprise breakfast she ate.
Iconic Gymnast Simone Biles, 27, is opening up and sharing her life with the public. Collaborating with streaming powerhouse Netflix and Emmy-winning director Katie Walsh, the first season of her life documentary has hit TV screens. Breaking down the fourth wall, Katie has divulged the story behind certain elements featured in the project.
According to the description on Netflix, “Simone Biles Rising,” follows the young talent as she “balances her personal life, mental health journey and training ahead of a highly anticipated return to the Olympics.”
The riveting trailer gives viewers a glimpse into what they can expect from the documentary. Immediately setting the tone, it starts with a confessional interview showcasing Simone talking about the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. From there, various clips highlighting the gymnast’s incredible skills ensue
At one point, she even revealed how she considered quitting gymnastics altogether, but her loved ones encouraged her to keep fighting.
The documentary has two parts. “Write me down in history” covers the initial stages of Simone prepping for her comeback as she reflects on internal battles and enormous pressure after the Tokyo Championships. Episode 2—”I will not be broken”—spotlights Simone at the World Championships.
Netflix has released a documentary about Simone Biles which is filled with fascinating details about the superstar gymnast’s life. The director has also shared insights into the hidden story behind the braiding of Simone’s hair, which is a topic that the public has discussed frequently, and the surprise breakfast she ate.
Iconic Gymnast Simone Biles, 27, is opening up and sharing her life with the public. Collaborating with streaming powerhouse Netflix and Emmy-winning director Katie Walsh, the first season of her life documentary has hit TV screens. Breaking down the fourth wall, Katie has divulged the story behind certain elements featured in the project.
According to the description on Netflix, “Simone Biles Rising,” follows the young talent as she “balances her personal life, mental health journey and training ahead of a highly anticipated return to the Olympics.
The riveting trailer gives viewers a glimpse into what they can expect from the documentary. Immediately setting the tone, it starts with a confessional interview showcasing Simone talking about the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. From there, various clips highlighting the gymnast’s incredible skills ensue.
At one point, she even revealed how she considered quitting gymnastics altogether, but her loved ones encouraged her to keep fighting.
The documentary has two parts. “Write me down in history” covers the initial stages of Simone prepping for her comeback as she reflects on internal battles and enormous pressure after the Tokyo Championships. Episode 2—”I will not be broken”—spotlights Simone at the World Championships.
But as she looks toward Paris, experiences from the past are shaping how she thinks about the future,” reads the end of the episode’s plot line. Since its release, Netflix has shared clips from the episodes on various platforms such as Facebook and YouTube.
Standout footage from the documentary scenes shows Simone’s doting mother, Nellie Biles, doing her daughter’s hair. In this clip, Simone sits at a wooden table, and Nellie tends to her hair.
As Nellie explains how Simone can style her hair—presumably for an event—she uses her hands to mark distinctive lines where she can braid it up. Simone then says, “Well, you can just do one at the top.”
Nellie then confirms her daughter’s request, adding, “And then the one in the back,” before grabbing a hair comb to get started. The video then shows Nellie braiding Simone’s hair.
Sitting down with the hosts of GymCastic on July 21, Katie unpacked the narrative behind that special moment. After being asked by co-host Jessica O’Beirne to talk about the hair braiding, Katie began by explaining how the filming process worked. The doc was greenlit four days before the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium.
She shared how although the production team was allowed to film with Simone, they were not allowed to film in her hotel room. This was due to strict rules and regulations from the United States of America Gymnastics (USAG) sports federation.
So, what we worked out was, there was like a conference room area to this hotel […] and we could only film within the confines of this like, you know 5 by 9 room […] So we would kind of bring things into that space. So Nellie would come and braid Simone’s hair there,” Katie said.
Continuing, she disclosed, “Nellie could go to Simone’s hotel room, but we couldn’t, so they would work with us and come to that other spot.” Reactions to seeing Simone having her hair braided by her mom have been heartfelt, with many noting how touched they were by the sentimental moment.
