‘Simone Biles: Rising’ Premieres on Netflix: Exploring Her Unique Hair Braiding & Unexpected Breakfast Choices
Netflix has unveiled a captivating documentary about Simone Biles, packed with intriguing details about her life, including a closer look at her frequently discussed hair braiding and her unusual breakfast preferences.
At 27, iconic gymnast Simone Biles is opening up her world to fans through a partnership with Netflix and Emmy-winning director Katie Walsh. The first season of her documentary series is now streaming, offering an intimate glimpse into her life.
Described on Netflix, “Simone Biles Rising” tracks the gymnast as she navigates personal challenges, her mental health journey, and rigorous training as she prepares for her much-anticipated Olympic comeback.
The engaging trailer provides a preview of the documentary’s scope. It opens with Simone discussing her experiences at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics and proceeds to highlight her exceptional gymnastic abilities.
The tone shifts as the trailer touches on Simone’s decision to withdraw from the competition, followed by her candid reflections on her struggles and her fleeting thoughts of retiring from gymnastics.
The documentary is divided into two parts. The first episode, “Write me down in history,” delves into Simone’s preparation and mental struggles post-Tokyo Championships. The second episode, “I will not be broken,” captures her performance at the World Championships.
“But as she eyes the Paris Olympics, past experiences start to shape her outlook on the future,” the episode description teases. Since its release, Netflix has promoted snippets from these episodes across social media platforms including Facebook and YouTube.
One standout scene from the documentary features Simone’s mother, Nellie Biles, styling her daughter’s hair. This tender moment occurs as Nellie prepares Simone’s hair, possibly for a competition, skillfully parting and braiding it while they discuss styling options.
During an interview with GymCastic hosts on July 21, Katie delved into the backstory of this hair braiding scene. The documentary was approved just days before the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, she explained. Although filming restrictions were tight due to regulations from the United States of America Gymnastics (USAG), they managed to film in a conference room at the hotel where Nellie came to do Simone’s hair.
Katie revealed, “Nellie was allowed in Simone’s hotel room, but we weren’t. So, they worked with us and came to that area instead.” The scene has resonated deeply with viewers, with many expressing how moved they were by the mother-daughter interaction.
“I’m not crying, yes I’m crying,” one fan commented. Another shared, “So beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes.” Nellie has always braided Simone’s hair except for one occasion during the Tokyo Olympics, highlighting that it’s more about the bonding experience than just the hairstyle.
Furthermore, the documentary touches on broader themes of community and confidence through hair, particularly within the black community, as seen in the discussions between Nellie and Simone about hair care.
Despite past insecurities about her hair, Simone has faced public criticism but has grown to embrace her natural hair, stating, “I’m not embarrassed about it anymore.”
Beyond her hair, the documentary also reveals Simone’s surprising breakfast choice—waffles. Katie discussed how a craving for Belgian waffles led to a special breakfast surprise, arranged by a local fixer in Antwerp, adding a light-hearted element to the narrative.
Simone herself has mentioned, “What I eat depends on the day and how I’m feeling, but sometimes I like to get up and have a protein waffle in the morning for breakfast with some fruit.”
Overall, ‘Simone Biles: Rising’ offers a profound look into the life of a remarkable athlete, blending personal stories with broader cultural discussions, all wrapped in the high-stakes drama of elite gymnastics.
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