You’d think after sticking landings on a four-inch wooden beam, walking up a set of stairs would be a breeze. But for Simone Biles, the Met Gala is actually more terrifying than the Olympics. Honestly, she said it herself to Anna Wintour. There’s something about those iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art steps that hits different when you aren't wearing a leotard and chalk.
The greatest gymnast of all time has turned the Met Gala into her second arena. It’s where she trades gravity-defying twists for fashion that literally weighs as much as a small child. Most people just see the photos. They see the sparkle and the husband on her arm. But if you look closer at the Simone Biles Met Gala history, it’s a story of endurance that has nothing to do with sports.
The 88-Pound Secret of the 2021 Debut
When Biles showed up in 2021 for the "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" theme, she didn't just wear a dress. She wore a workout. Her custom AREA x Athleta look was a three-in-one masterpiece that tipped the scales at a staggering 88 pounds.
🔗 Read more: Mykelti Brown Weight Loss: What Really Happened with the Sister Wives Star
Think about that for a second.
Simone herself barely weighs 100 pounds. She was essentially carrying her own body weight in Swarovski crystals. This wasn't just some flimsy fabric; it was a structural feat designed by Beckett Fogg and Piotrek Panszczyk. It took a team of six men just to help her navigate the carpet. They had to lift and reposition the train every few steps so she didn't get pinned down by her own elegance.
Underneath the massive, hand-embellished skirt was a mini dress. And under that was a black bodysuit designed to look like a starry night sky. The stars were actually the Athleta "chi" logo. It was a nod to her partnership with the brand, but also to her status as a "star" who had just navigated the most difficult summer of her life in Tokyo.
Why 2025 Was the Ultimate Power Couple Moment
Fast forward to May 2025. The theme was "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." This time, Simone wasn't alone. She hit the carpet with her husband, NFL safety Jonathan Owens. They basically served as the event's unofficial host committee royalty.
She ditched the 88-pound crystal armor for something punchy and vibrant: a cobalt blue "Seraphim" dress by Harbison Studio. It featured a bustled minidress silhouette with a massive "Galaxy Cathedral" train. People on social media were split. Some loved the "bubble" trend revival; others were confused by the length. But honestly? Simone looked like she was finally having fun.
She and Jonathan treated the night like a high-stakes date night. It was the day before their second wedding anniversary. While Jonathan rocked an all-white suit with blue accents, Simone was busy telling reporters that getting ready for the Met was "more stressful" than preparing for the vault.
The Physical Toll of High Fashion
It’s easy to forget that these athletes have bodies built for specific movements. When you put a 4-foot-8 gymnast in 6-inch heels and a heavy train, you’re asking for a biomechanical nightmare.
👉 See also: Who We Lost: Famous People Who Died This Week and Why Their Legacies Matter
- The Weight: That 2021 dress required 6,650 hours of labor.
- The Height: Simone has joked about her heels being five inches tall just to reach the microphone.
- The Nerves: She admitted the "blue carpet" in 2025 felt more intimidating than a world championship final.
The grit it takes to stand still for hours in a heavy garment is a different kind of strength. Fans often criticize her stylists for not "understanding" her petite, muscular frame. But Biles seems to lean into the drama. She isn't trying to look like a 5-foot-10 runway model. She’s leaning into being a powerhouse.
What Most People Get Wrong
There's a common misconception that athletes at the Met Gala are just "seat fillers." That’s definitely not the case here. For the 2025 gala, Biles wasn't just an attendee; she was part of the host committee. This means she had a hand in the vibe of the night alongside names like LeBron James and Lewis Hamilton.
She’s used these appearances to bridge the gap between "athlete" and "person." After the 2021 Olympics, where she prioritized her mental health over medals, the Met Gala was her first major public "re-entry." It was a statement that she could be soft, glamorous, and "human" outside of the gym.
Actionable Takeaways from Simone’s Style
If you're looking at her red carpet evolution, there are a few things anyone can learn about "big event" dressing:
- Embrace the Weight: If you're going for a statement piece, acknowledge the logistics. Simone needed a six-man "skirt crew." Don't wear the "big" dress if you don't have the help to move it.
- Tailoring is Non-Negotiable: For petite frames like Simone’s, off-the-rack is an enemy. Her 2025 look was custom-tailored to highlight her athletic legs while adding "gravitas" through the train.
- Coordination Over Matchy-Matchy: Notice how she and Jonathan didn't wear the exact same thing in 2025? They used color (cobalt blue) as a tether. It looked sophisticated, not like a prom couple.
- Comfort is a Lie: High fashion isn't about being comfortable. It’s about the "moment." If the GOAT can handle 88 pounds of crystals, you can handle those tight shoes for four hours.
Whether she returns for the 2026 circuit or focuses on the lead-up to future competitions, Simone Biles has proven that she can dominate a staircase just as well as a floor exercise. She’s shifted the narrative from "gymnast in a dress" to "fashion icon who happens to be a gymnast."