The line between fame and personal invasion has always been razor thin, but for Simone Biles, it was completely obliterated when anonymous trolls managed to get their hands on her phone number. The most decorated gymnast in history, a seven-time Olympic medalist, a 23-time world champion, shouldn’t have to deal with this. Yet on March 29, she exposed the ugly side of her reality with a single Instagram story, revealing the kind of messages she receives from strangers.
And when fans caught wind of it, the reaction was immediate. A viral Reddit post showcasing the disturbing texts sent shockwaves through the gymnastics community, igniting a firestorm of outrage. This wasn’t just trolling. This was something far more sinister. An unsettling, deliberate violation of boundaries. It wasn’t about critiquing her performance, her routines, or even her public persona. These messages were deeply personal, striking at wounds she never asked to have.
Biles didn’t name names. She didn’t need to. The screenshot of the anonymous texts spoke for itself. “Hope y’all are having a better day than me… these are the texts I receive from random a* numbers… by the way, y’all are f***** weird for this.” Her words dripped with frustration and exhaustion. The kind that comes from enduring years of invasive scrutiny. This wasn’t just another bad day on social media. This was a violation. A complete disregard for her boundaries, her peace, her right to exist outside of the public eye.
It initially appeared to be typical internet trolling aimed at public figures, although such attacks have become an accepted part of life online. The abuse was more than typical cyber harassment. More targeted. The messages held more malicious intent than simple routine insults, along with aimless hatred. They cut much deeper. The unknown victimizers focused their attacks on the deepest scars of her life.
The abusive messages attacked her marriage status while simultaneously degrading her maturity before descending to the most vile action of raising the Larry Nassar scandal. Biles has dedicated numerous years to healing the injury she acquired. The message came from unseen attackers who used it as if it were a legitimate target against her. What’s most unsettling isn’t just the cruelty.
It’s the entitlement. The belief that because Simone Biles is famous, her life is an open book for strangers to dissect and invade. That she somehow owes the world access to her every moment, even her most painful ones. But that’s the thing. She never signed up for this. “We don’t ask for that when we’re 6 years old and sign up for it… I didn’t want people to criticize every little thing that I do…I just wanted to do gymnastics.”
Her words, raw and unfiltered, remind us of the cost of greatness. And even now, long after she first stepped onto the world stage, she’s still paying for it.
Fans show support to Simone Biles after disturbing texts
“Being famous sounds awful. And people are why.” That single comment from a fan encapsulated the collective frustration bubbling up after Simone Biles’ disturbing revelation. It wasn’t just about fame. It was about the sheer entitlement that some people feel toward public figures. Biles has spent her life soaring to unimaginable heights, capturing Olympic golds and world titles with an unmatched level of dominance.
But what should be a celebration of her legacy is constantly overshadowed by an ugly reality. And no matter how much she wins, it never seems to be enough. “I think what I’ve come to the conclusion of is that there are such high expectations on me that I’m supposed to win. So whenever I do win or get whatever medal that is, I feel a relief off my shoulders—like I did it, I’m done, let’s move on to the next.”
Even in victory, there’s no true escape from the weight of public opinion. Sadly, the cruelty isn’t new. “It really is f****d up that Simone Biles gets molestation ‘jokes’ from literally everywhere. Randoms stealing her phone number and sending her a text, social media comments, and Saturday Night Live cast members. “The fan’s words cut deep because they’re true.
Whether it’s anonymous trolls, people hiding behind social media accounts, or even major entertainment platforms taking low blows, the trauma she endured is still being weaponized against her. “Just straight up, a Nassar question… how thoughtless can anyone be? Some states have ‘cyberbullying’ laws on the books that a lawyer may argue encompass this text,” one fan pointed out.
The sheer audacity of turning one of the most horrifying scandals in sports history into an attack on a survivor is beyond comprehension. But this isn’t just about one incident. It’s a pattern. A deeply troubling one. People like to say, “Just ignore the hate,” but how do you ignore something this personal? How do you look away when strangers infiltrate your phone, a space that should be safe, just to tear you down? It’s not just about online harassment. It’s about setting a precedent that these violations won’t be tolerated.
One fan even said, “Sadly, I think the piece of s** behind this will probably get a thrill out of her posting it, but I hope there are legal consequences for them.” The exhaustion in that sentiment speaks volumes. Fans know the game trolls play, but that doesn’t mean they have to accept it. Through it all, Biles keeps moving forward. In Paris, she commanded the world’s attention, leading Team USA to gold and adding two individual titles to her name.
She took on the pressure, the expectations, and the weight of being the GOAT, and still, she delivered. Even in moments of struggle, like her bar’s final, where she stumbled and had to regroup, she refused to let a setback define her. And yet, despite proving herself time and time again, there are still people who can’t stand to see her on top. “People are the f***** worst. They hate her because she’s so successful, and they can’t stand to see a Black woman stand at the top.” The sad truth? They’re right.
The post “Unbelievably Cruel”: Fans Rally Behind Simone Biles as Violation of Privacy Exposes Dark Side of Fame appeared first on EssentiallySports.