While Jordan Chiles was fighting for the biggest title of her collegiate gymnastics career, one person was conspicuously missing from the moment—Simone Biles.

On Saturday, April 19, as Chiles prepared to compete in what could be her final NCAA Championship, Biles was raising glasses in Madrid, Spain. The Olympic legend shared Instagram stories featuring clinking cocktails, her dad playing Instagram husband, and a playful caption dubbing herself the “newest influencer on the block.” What she didn’t share? Anything about Chiles.

No good-luck message. No repost. Not even a mention.

And for fans who’ve followed the duo’s rock-solid friendship—from Olympic team glory to Paris test events—Biles’ silence felt jarring.

Biles’ absence hit Chiles hard.

Chiles, now a senior leader for UCLA, helped push the Bruins into the championship finals after a nail-biting finish in the semifinals. She’s carried her team all season, aiming to end UCLA’s title drought since 2018. This meet wasn’t just big – it was legacy-defining.

That’s why Biles’ absence hit so hard. Her voice, once a constant in Chiles’ corner, was nowhere to be found.

The two gymnasts have long been inseparable, with Chiles calling Biles her anchor and biggest inspiration. “Use your voice. Stand your ground,” Biles once told her. That advice helped Chiles step into her own spotlight—but on this day, that same voice stayed silent.

What makes it even more puzzling is that Biles has been actively following NCAA gymnastics. Just last month, she posted a celebratory shoutout for Clemson freshman Brie Clark for landing “The Biles I”—the gravity-defying skill named after Simone herself.

So why not Jordan?

Fans took notice, and the internet lit up with speculation. Was it distance? Timing? A falling out? Or was Biles simply letting her friend have her moment?

Whatever the reason, one thing is certain: in a friendship built on cheers and shared wins, today’s silence was louder than ever.