Hand over her mouth, eyes wide with a mix of shock and joy. That’s how Laurie Hernandez looked in a May Instagram post. “woah! we won a Sports Emmy!! go team!!” she captioned the photo. Hernandez had served as an event analyst for NBC’s gymnastics coverage during the 2024 Paris Olympics, and their broadcast of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad went on to win the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Live Special, Championship Event. But fast forward to the 2025 US Classic, when Laurie entered as a host on CNBC and Peacock, the feedback could never make you believe she won an Emmy…
One Redditor put it bluntly: “Laurie sticks like a sore thumb.”At the 2025 U.S. Classic (July 18–19) Now Arena, Hoffman Estates, IL, Laurie Hernandez served as a member of the commentary team. Teaming up with fellow gym legends Samantha Peszek and John Roethlisberger on CNBC and Peacock, she brought flair, fun, and a little polarizing energy to the broadcast booth. For some, it was a breath of fresh air. For others, the vibes didn’t quite stick the landing. Let’s see why the reactions are two-way!
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Hernandez’s commentary was broadly celebrated for bringing a fresh tone to the global audience. Comments like “laurie hernandez GOAT gymnastics commentator” flooded the internet. But one year later, the script is completely different. Turns out, even Olympic sparkle can have an off-season. The explanation lies in the audience itself. The Olympics draw in a massive four-season fanbase. By this, we mean casual viewers who tune in only during the Games. But events like the U.S. Classic cater to the Gymternet: the dedicated ones in the gymnastics community that expect sharp, technical commentary year-round.
It’s not that Laurie lacks the technical know-how. She clearly does. But her style leans more toward making gymnastics accessible to casual viewers. For instance, when Joscelyn Roberson was on the beam, Laurie commented, “For those at home, connection bonus is awesome. And I like to think of them as Mario Kart coins. So, of course, everyone wants to get to the finish line of the race, but coins make it go a little faster.” This drew criticism, as highlighted in a Reddit thread on r/gymnastics, “less than 15 minutes in she was describing a connection bonus “like Mario Kart coins” and doing a pretty bad job of justifying the analogy“. Love it or hate it, Laurie was clearly trying to make gymnastics fun and digestible. Whether that worked was seen hours later within the comments.
Rich Lerner and Laurie Hernandez (Image Credits: Instagram/@lauriehernandez)
That style? It totally works for the Olympic-only crowd. It might seem right for the fans who roll in every four years and just want to know why someone fell off the beam, not how a wolf turn affects their D-score. Laurie’s even said in interviews that her goal is to make gymnastics feel less intimidating to the average viewer. “I’m also chronically online, I’m 24, I’m in college… My goal is always to have an optimistic outlook because I recognize how hard this sport can be,” she had said.
But here’s the flip side: the Gymternet isn’t your average viewer. They know their Biles from their Barani, and they’re tuning in for the deep cuts, not Mario Kart metaphors. Still, it’s not like they’re turning on Laurie as a person. She’s beloved. If anything, a recent post just stirred the pot a little more. But overall? The vibe seems less “get her out of the booth” and more “maybe she’s better suited to something else entirely.”
How about Laurie Hernandez, the interviewer or analyst?
Fans have pointed out that Laurie would be great as a commentator or even a post-game analyst. One person especially found her great when she went to point out a few form errors in Simone Rose’s floor routine. “Quite a few form breaks there. Feet apart, bent knees,” the Emmy winner pointed out when Rose was on the floor. Hernandez showed how much she cares when she teared up on live TV during her Rio Olympics teammate, Simone Biles’ all-around win. It was a real, emotional moment that made viewers feel connected to both Laurie and the athletes.
In a more relaxed setting—like during a break or after a routine, Laurie could let her empathy and experience shine. She knows what it’s like to be out there, and that helps her connect with athletes genuinely. Without the rush of live commentary, she’d have the space to ask thoughtful questions and share meaningful insights that fans would appreciate. Much like Meghan Markle’s American Riviera Orchard or Archetypes podcast, Laurie could use a casual format to explore life beyond gymnastics.
She could be cooking with fellow athletes, talking about routines (in and out of the gym), or diving into topics like mental health, growing up in the spotlight, or simply favorite family recipes. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
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