Simone Biles recently stepped up to defend her husband, Jonathan Owens, after fans criticized him for wearing the first Olympic gold medal she won at the Paris Games this week.
Responding to the backlash, Biles commented under a TikTok video by Kiera Breaugh, who had criticized the Chicago Bears player. “Crazy thing is, I put my medal on every single one of my family members and took pictures. So don’t ever make assumptions,” Biles wrote. “Like y’all are so f–ing miserable. Leave us alone.”
The uproar began when Owens shared photos on social media of himself wearing Biles’ gold medal after she led Team USA to victory in the team competition. One picture showed the couple smiling, while another captured them kissing, with Owens proudly displaying the medal in both shots.
“Witnessing history every time you step on the mat. Congrats baby on becoming the most decorated American gymnast in Olympic history!!!!” Owens captioned the post. “Just wow!!!! 8 of them!!!!! So thankful I was there to see it.”
Despite the celebratory tone, many fans were quick to criticize Owens for wearing the medal. “But why are you wearing it? How odd,” one user commented. Another added, “I’m annoyed that he’s holding it like bfffr it’s not YOURS,” and a third chimed in, “Mr. Simone Biles, if you don’t give that woman back her medal like bffr.”
In the wake of the controversy, Biles not only defended her husband but continued to shine in her Olympic pursuits, winning gold in the individual all-around competition on Thursday, marking her ninth Olympic medal.
RELATED: Simone Biles’ Husband Jonathan Owens Celebrates Historic Olympic Gold in All-Around
Owens appeared unfazed by the criticism, celebrating Biles in another Instagram post. “Greatness. I love you so much baby. You accomplish whatever you set your mind to, and do it with so much grace. 9-time Olympic medalist and counting!!!! So proud to be your husband,” he wrote.
The scrutiny Owens faced isn’t new.
Fans have been critical of him ever since his December 2023 appearance on the “Pivot” podcast, where he said he was the “catch” in their relationship and admitted he didn’t know who Biles was when they first met. Despite the backlash, the couple has remained united. Owens shared a montage of photos with Biles, captioning it, “Unbothered. Just know we locked in over here,” to which Biles responded, “For life.”
However, the constant scrutiny has taken a toll on Biles.
In April, she opened up about the mental health impact and defended Owens once more on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast. “He said he was a catch. Because he is! I’ve never met a man like him,” she said. She addressed the situation again in May, telling critics to “respectfully f–k off.”
Owens also spoke about the criticism in July, telling Us Weekly that he chooses to ignore the negative comments. “I don’t mean to cuss, but like, damned if you do, damned if you don’t. If you say something, they’re going to say something; if you don’t say something, they’re going to say something,” he explained. “So, just live your life. People are going to talk about you anyway, so you might as well do it the way you want to.”
Through it all, Biles and Owens continue to support each other, focusing on their accomplishments and the love they share, undeterred by public opinion.
