top of page
  • Writer's pictureKristyn Burtt

Why I Hope Olympic Gymnast Simone Biles Doesn't Do 'Dancing With the Stars'



Photo credit: Simone Biles/Instagram

With speculation mounting about Season 23, the Final Five squad keeps circulating as possible cast members of Dancing With the Stars. As I mentioned in a tweet on Aug. 10, the gymnasts have the Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastic Champions and they are usually one of the most in-demand Olympians when it comes to media appearances.

In addition to the tour, some of the gymnasts already have future plans. Madison Kocian is headed to UCLA to become a member of the their successful gymnastics program. Aly Raisman did Season 16 of DWTS and I imagine her comeback story is going to make her hot on the public-speaking circuit. Laurie Hernandez has confirmed that she is headed back to the gym after the tour. She’s 16 and the talented teen is likely to become a part of the next gymnastics quad on the road to Tokyo.


If we see a member of the Final Five on DWTS, I think Gabby Douglas is the perfect fit. She’s had incredible results in two Olympics, but it hasn’t been an easy journey. Gabby has had coaching changes, issues with self confidence and she’s been on the receiving end of social-media bullying. I would add her to my watch list for Season 24 because her story is ripe for an emotional DWTS package.

And then there’s Simone Biles…

I know she’s at the top of many fans’ hopeful cast lists, but I am going to share my possibly unpopular opinion — I hope she doesn’t sign up for DWTS right now.

Simone is a a once-in-a-lifetime gymnast, a GOAT — Greatest Of All Time. She falls into the category of Michael Phelps, Serena Williams, Allyson Felix, Katie Ledecky and Kerri Walsh-Jennings when it comes to talent. With that level of talent comes a high-level of opportunity.


Photo credit: Simone Biles/Instagram

I want Simone to experience those same open doors as the other athletes. It’s an opportunity for a young black gymnast to see that extreme level of success, to show other young gymnasts what is possible and to share her positive level of sportsmanship to the next generation.

She’s young enough to go back to the gym and train for Tokyo, she’s young enough to start a high-profile speaking tour or write a book about her experiences. Simone has also committed to furthering her education at UCLA in a similar capacity as 2012 Olympian Jordyn Wieber as a team manager.

This young woman is not only a great athlete on the mat, she’s also a great role model, who is going to do extraordinary things in her life. As a huge fan of Simone’s, I see a bigger platform for her right now and I think she sees it in herself as well.

As she told sports reporters after her AA win on Aug. 11 ,"I'm not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps. I'm the next Simone Biles.”

Yes, she is.

0 comments
bottom of page