Ever looked at a photo and felt like you could actually feel the air pressure in the room? That’s what happens when you scroll through the latest photos of simone biles. It isn't just about the gymnastics anymore. Honestly, it hasn't been for a while.
We’ve moved past the era where a sports photo was just a static image of a person landing a flip. Now, when we see Biles, we're seeing a decade of pressure, a literal revolution in mental health, and—more recently—a woman just having a blast with a camera on an NFL sideline.
The GOAT Necklace and the Power of the Petty
Let’s talk about that diamond-encrusted goat. You’ve seen the shot. Biles stands on the podium in Paris, grinning, holding up a tiny, sparkling goat pendant. It’s got 546 diamonds. Janet Heller Fine Jewelry in Calabasas spent five weeks hand-setting those stones.
Some people hated it. They called it arrogant.
But if you look at the photos of simone biles from that moment, she isn't looking at the camera with "I’m better than you" energy. She’s looking at it with "I survived" energy. She literally told reporters that the necklace was a "little ode" because people love it and some people hate it. It’s a visual mic drop. When you’ve won 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals, you’re allowed to wear the mascot on your neck.
Why the Bow to Rebeca Andrade Changed Everything
There is one specific photo from the 2024 Paris floor exercise podium that should probably be in the Louvre. Seriously, the museum even joked about it on social media.
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It’s the image of Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles dropped down on one knee, bowing to Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade.
It was the first all-Black gymnastics podium in Olympic history.
In an industry that used to be defined by cold, East-German-style stoicism, this photo broke the internet because it showed genuine, messy, exuberant love between competitors. Biles didn’t win gold that day—Andrade did. But the photo doesn’t look like a defeat. It looks like a passing of the torch, or at least a shared throne.
From the Vault to the Sidelines: Biles as the Photographer
If you’ve been keeping up with the news in late 2025 and early 2026, you’ve probably noticed a new kind of imagery. Suddenly, the photos of simone biles aren't of her in a leotard. They’re of her in a media vest.
Just a few weeks ago, Biles was spotted on the sidelines of a Chicago Bears game. She wasn't there just to watch her husband, Jonathan Owens. She was there with a Sony a7R V camera, working as a credentialed photographer.
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It’s kinda wild to see the most decorated gymnast in history squatting on the grass to get a low-angle shot of a kickoff.
- She wore a media vest with the number 36 (her husband's number).
- She spent time chatting with Olivia Culpo.
- She actually looked... relaxed?
This shift is huge for her brand. For years, every photo of Simone was high-stakes. It was a 16.100 score on a Yurchenko double pike. It was the "twisties" in Tokyo where she looked lost in mid-air. Now, the photos show a woman who has reclaimed her time. She’s choosing which side of the lens she wants to be on.
The Technical Genius of the "Biles II" Shots
We can't ignore the physics. If you look at high-speed sequence photos of simone biles performing the Yurchenko double pike (the Biles II), you realize she’s doing things the human body shouldn't do.
In a still photo, you can see her hands "magnetized" to her hamstrings during the two backflips. Her legs are ramrod straight. Most gymnasts would look like a crumpled piece of paper trying that vault. She looks like a projectile.
Photographers like Naomi Baker and Jamie Squire have captured her at the "peak" of her flight, and if you look at the background, the judges and fans are often blurry. It creates this isolation—it’s just Simone and the air. That’s the reality of her career. She’s often been in a tier by herself, literally and figuratively.
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The Impact of the 2021 "Stall" Photos
We have to go back to Tokyo for a second. The most painful photos of simone biles aren't the ones where she’s falling. They’re the ones where she’s sitting on the sidelines in a white tracksuit, cheering for her teammates while she was mentally "broken."
Those photos changed the world's conversation about athletes.
Before 2021, if an athlete stepped out, they were "quitting." After those photos of Biles supporting Jordan Chiles and Suni Lee from the stands, the narrative shifted to "protecting the peace."
How to Find and Use These Images Authentically
If you're looking for the best photos of simone biles for a project or just for your own inspiration, keep these things in mind:
- Editorial vs. Commercial: Most of the iconic Olympic shots are Getty Images or AP. You can’t just "take" them for your website without a license.
- Social Media is Realer: Her Instagram (@simonebiles) is where the "human" photos live—the ones with her dogs, her wedding photos, and her recent photography "side gig."
- The Details Matter: Look for the photos that show her chalked-up hands or the grip on the bars. That’s where the work is.
Basically, Simone Biles has lived her entire life in front of a shutter. From the 2016 "Final Five" to the 2024 "Redemption Tour," the camera has been her constant companion. But for the first time in 2026, it feels like she’s finally the one in control of the frame.
Next Steps for Fans and Creators
If you want to keep up with the visual evolution of the GOAT, start following the professional sports photographers who cover the NFL and US Gymnastics directly. Check out the work of Abbie Parr or Francisco Seco. Their portfolios offer a nuanced look at her career that you won't get from a generic Google search. Also, keep an eye on the "Gold Over America Tour" (GOAT) galleries for some of the most vibrant, high-energy performance shots ever taken of her.