In a recent episode of “Dancing with the Stars,” celebrated gymnast Simone Biles faced a rather common question: why doesn’t she smile more? Despite being the most decorated American gymnast with an impressive tally of 19 Olympic and World Championship medals to her name, Biles had to remind both the audience and the judges that smiling is not a criterion for winning gold medals.
As she continues to compete on the dance show, Biles received feedback from the judges, which, as expected, wasn’t entirely positive. After her Paso Doble routine, one judge, Lisa Thompson, offered a mix of critique and praise, mentioning that she should avoid dancing “like a robot.” Host Jake Matthews jumped in, noting that he was expecting to see a smile from Biles in response to the compliments. Without missing a beat, the young Olympian replied, “Smiling doesn’t win you gold medals.”
This powerful statement resonated widely, especially among women who frequently encounter the expectation to smile in various situations, whether from family, friends, or even strangers. Many cheered for Biles, appreciating her candidness in shutting down this societal norm.
Following the show, Biles shared with a news outlet, “I feel like I am trying to be honest, but if they don’t see that, I don’t know what more I can do.” Jake Matthews later took to social media to reflect on his comments, suggesting that a better approach would be to ask women more thoughtful questions than simply, “Why didn’t you smile?”
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In summary, Simone Biles’ assertive response to the expectation of smiling serves as a reminder to challenge societal norms. Her statement emphasizes that performance and dedication are what truly matter, not the superficial requirement to present a cheerful demeanor.