Simone Biles is in Madrid, not Texas. That much is clear from her latest Instagram stories, which show the Olympic icon clinking glasses with her parents, enjoying a European getaway. But what’s not in her stories? Even a single mention of Jordan Chiles. No shoutout. No good-luck message. And today isn’t just any day. It’s the NCAA National Championship finals, the biggest meet of Chiles’ college career, and possibly her final NCAA appearance.
While Biles, Chiles’ biggest supporter, enjoys her travel bug lifestyle across the Atlantic, Jordan Chiles is hours away from chasing the title that’s eluded her since stepping into NCAA gymnastics. UCLA barely punched its ticket to the final thanks to a clutch vault meltdown from Denver. Chiles is leading the charge for the Bruins’ first championship since 2018. The pressure is sky-high, the stakes couldn’t be bigger, and yet, one of her biggest supporters is watching it all unfold from afar.
Roughly 30 minutes ago, Simone Biles posted another Instagram story from Madrid. This time, it was captioned “newest influencer on the block,” featuring her dad holding up a light to help her capture the perfect shot of their drinks. It was playful, charming. Peak Simone. But as the ice clinked in her glass across the Atlantic, back in the States, Jordan Chiles was warming up for the biggest competition of her NCAA career. And yet again, radio silence from her closest friend. For a duo whose bond has been described as “unbreakable,” the disconnect on this day feels…striking.
Biles and Chiles have long been inseparable, their connection forged through triumph and adversity. From the Tokyo Olympics to the Paris test events, they’ve stood side by side. Cheering, lifting, and believing in one another. Chiles has never been shy about calling Simone her anchor, her guide, her sister in all but name. Simone didn’t just shape Jordan’s career; she shaped her voice, her confidence, her ability to own the stage and speak her truth. “Always use your voice. Stand your ground,” Simone once told her. And Jordan listened. That mentorship has defined much of Chiles’ rise. Which is exactly why today’s silence feels so deafening.
It’s not as though Simone has been absent from the college scene this season. A month ago, she took to social media to shout out Clemson freshman Brie Clark for successfully landing “The Biles I”, the iconic skill named after her. That moment, widely celebrated, showed that Simone still watches NCAA gymnastics and is quick to uplift the next generation. So naturally, fans are left wondering why not Jordan this time? Even as Jordan fights for the NCAA title that could cap off her remarkable journey. For someone who’s been there through it all, this absence is as loud as any cheer Simone’s ever given.
Simone Biles’ absence from NCAA despite being Chiles’ lifeline
Simone Biles has always been more than just a teammate to Jordan Chiles. She’s been a lifeline. Their paths through the sport may have diverged. Simone homeschooled to chase Olympic gold, while Jordan opted for UCLA and NCAA glory, but their stories remain intertwined. Chiles is now carrying UCLA into the finals, driven by a career shaped in part by Biles’ mentorship. As Ron Biles once told Simone about the sacrifices required to succeed in elite gymnastics, “The public school system in the state of Texas won’t allow you to miss as many days as you’ll have to miss if you make the national team.” That’s the reality Simone lived. Jordan is now living her own version powered by lessons learned from the greatest of all time.
When Chiles opened up about her mental health journey, it wasn’t in a vacuum. It was inspired by Biles, who bravely laid her own struggles bare on the global stage. Through it all, Jordan found not just a friend, but someone who “understands each other whether we do have to talk to each other or not.” That level of emotional understanding is rare in sports, and it’s part of what’s made their bond unbreakable. Biles didn’t just pave a path in gymnastics; she gave Chiles the courage to speak her truth, too.
That same bond was on full display when Chiles lost her Olympic floor bronze. It wasn’t just disappointing; it was unprecedented. But Simone didn’t hesitate. In a PEOPLE interview, she called the situation “unfortunate,” highlighting the emotional toll on Jordan. Then, in a bold move, Biles took to X, calling out Paris 2024 officials for the confusion and chaos that cost her best friend a medal. “She made it clear how deeply this situation hit Chiles,” and just like that, she showed again that her loyalty doesn’t end when the cameras do.
