It sounds like a plot from a cheesy Netflix rom-com. The most decorated gymnast in history—a woman with gravity-defying moves named after her—swipes right on a guy who has absolutely no clue who she is. Seriously. No clue.
If you're wondering how did simone biles meet her husband, the answer isn't at an elite athletic gala or through a mutual trainer. It happened on a phone screen. Specifically, it happened on Raya, the exclusive, "members-only" dating app that celebrities use to avoid the chaos of Tinder.
It was March 2020. The world was about to shut down, and Simone Biles was just a girl in Houston looking for a connection.
The Digital "Meet-Cute" on Raya
Most people assume a powerhouse like Simone Biles would be constantly swarmed by suitors. But let’s be real: when you’re the GOAT, your schedule doesn't exactly leave room for organic "meet-cutes" at the grocery store.
Simone saw Jonathan Owens on the app and thought he was "pretty cute." She didn't wait for him to reach out, either. She slid into his DMs with a simple "hello."
Now, here is where it gets weirdly hilarious. Jonathan Owens, who was a safety for the Houston Texans at the time, saw this girl with millions of followers and... just thought she was a social media influencer. He actually told Texas Monthly and later The Pivot Podcast that he "didn't know who she was."
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"I hadn't heard of her," he admitted. He didn't watch gymnastics. He was in football training camp during the 2016 Rio Olympics, likely buried in playbooks rather than watching the "Final Five" dominate the world stage. To him, she was just a cool, fit girl who happened to be extremely popular on Instagram.
Honestly? Simone loved that. She found it refreshing that he wasn't starstruck or looking for a "trophy" girlfriend. He just liked her.
How the Pandemic Actually Helped Their Romance
Timing is everything. Had they met in a "normal" year, Simone would have been halfway across the world preparing for the Tokyo Olympics. Jonathan would have been in the thick of NFL travel.
But then COVID-19 hit.
The lockdowns forced everyone into their own little bubbles. Since they both lived in the Houston area, they became what Simone calls a "quarantine couple." Because everything was closed, they couldn't go to fancy restaurants or crowded bars. They just... hung out.
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- They spent nights drinking sangria.
- They watched movies.
- They played with their dogs (he has a bulldog named Zeus; she has two of her own).
- They talked for hours without the noise of the outside world.
"It was one of the few times in her life where everything was just shut off," Jonathan told reporters. This forced intimacy meant they got to know the real people behind the jerseys and leotards. There was no "Simone Biles the Brand" during lockdown—just Simone, the girl who liked to laugh and hang out at the lake house.
The Moment He Realized She Was a Big Deal
The bubble eventually had to burst. Jonathan's "aha" moment came when they finally went out in public together. They were walking past a group of people, and suddenly, moms and kids started shaking. Literally shaking with excitement.
People were handing Jonathan their phones, asking, "Can you take a picture of us with her?" He realized then that his girlfriend wasn't just "good" at gymnastics. She was an icon.
A Timeline of the Biles-Owens Romance:
- March 2020: They match on Raya and start texting.
- August 2020: Simone goes "Instagram Official" with a photo captioned "it's just us."
- February 2022: Jonathan proposes on Valentine's Day in a gazebo in Houston.
- April 2023: A quick, legal courthouse wedding in Houston.
- May 2023: The big, beautiful destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Why Their Relationship Dynamic Works
There’s been some internet drama recently. Jonathan caught heat for saying he was the "catch" in the relationship during a podcast interview. People were furious. How could anyone be the "catch" when they're married to Simone Biles?
But if you look at how they interact, it’s clear they have a competitive, playful dynamic. They argue over who is the better athlete (Simone usually wins that one). They support each other through the "twisties" and the NFL cuts.
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Simone actually defended him against the backlash, basically telling the world to chill out. She likes his confidence. She likes that he’s her biggest fan, often seen in the stands wearing a shirt with her face on it or holding her gold medals after a win.
Actionable Takeaways from the Biles-Owens Story
So, what can we learn from how Simone Biles met her husband?
- Don't be afraid to make the first move. Simone "slid into the DMs" first. If the greatest gymnast of all time can take that risk, so can you.
- Look for someone who sees the "real" you. Jonathan’s initial ignorance of her fame allowed them to build a foundation based on personality, not status.
- Quality time beats "fancy" time. Their relationship was forged in the simple moments of lockdown. You don't need a red carpet to find a soulmate.
If you’re looking to follow in their footsteps, maybe give that dating app one more shot—or at least don't be afraid to say "hi" to someone who seems a little out of your league. You never know who’s on the other side of that swipe.
To keep up with their journey, you can follow Simone's frequent updates on her home-building projects in Texas or catch Jonathan's games as he continues his career in the NFL. They’ve proven that even in the world of high-stakes sports, a simple digital connection can lead to a lifetime partnership.