Mikaela Shiffrin Responds in Three Words to Simone Biles’ Personal Announcement Following the Met Gala

When Olympic and world champions communicate, every word (or emoji) resonates far beyond the confines of their sports. On May 7, 2025, Simone Biles—a four‑time Olympic gold medalist and often hailed as the “GOAT” of gymnastics—shared a concise yet deeply felt message on Threads. Within minutes, Mikaela Shiffrin—the most decorated alpine skier in history—quietly replied in three soft pink hearts, uniting two of America’s greatest athletes in a unique moment of sisterhood. Below, we explore the full story behind Biles’ personal announcement following her Met Gala appearance, Shiffrin’s understated but powerful response, and the broader significance of this exchange in today’s age of social media and sports solidarity.

From TIME 100 to the Met Gala: Simone Biles’ Week of Triumphs

Simone Biles’ foray into the fashion world reached new heights in early May. On May 1, she dazzled at the TIME 100 Gala in New York, celebrating her inclusion among the world’s most influential people. Just days later, on May 3, she turned heads at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby, where her trademark enthusiasm—her “Riders Up!” call—echoed across the infield. Yet it was May 5 that marked the pinnacle of her crossover appeal.

“I got in yesterday, we did all the fittings, so it’s just more stressful [than the Olympics],” Biles told Vogue during a pre‑Met Gala interview, candidly admitting that navigating fashion’s biggest night was as nerve‑wracking as any Olympic final .
At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, under the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” Biles and her husband, NFL safety Jonathan Owens, co‑chaired the event’s blue carpet. She emerged in a dazzling Harbison Studio Seraphim minidress, complete with a dramatic train and sky‑high heels—“a little bit higher than most times,” she joked—while Owens complemented her in an all‑white ensemble . Together, they celebrated not only a fashion moment but also their second wedding anniversary, intertwining personal milestones with public spectacle.

A Legacy in Motion: Biles’ “Taste of Gold” Reveal

Amid the paparazzi flashes, Biles found time to mark another milestone closer to home. On May 2, en route to Louisville’s Churchill Downs, her Instagram Story featured a modest caption—“on my way to Louisville for Kentucky Derby”—but the real gem lay at the bottom of the frame:

“And I finally got to see my restaurant at the airport!!!!!!”
That restaurant, Taste of Gold, represents a $400,000 investment in bringing her own culinary vision to life at the Houston airport . For the 11‑time Olympic medalist, seeing her brand celebrated in a public space symbolized legacy—an extension of her impact beyond gymnastics mats and red carpets.

“so blessed to live this life”: Biles’ Six‑Word Declaration

On May 7, only two days after gracing the Met Gala steps, Biles distilled her whirlwind week into a succinct Threads post:

“so blessed to live this life” .
In just six words, she encapsulated gratitude for her multifaceted journey—from athletic triumphs to marital joy, from business ventures to high‑fashion accolades. The post quickly amassed thousands of likes and reposts, as fans and fellow athletes alike echoed her sentiment.

Fans React—and Then Came Shiffrin

The flurry of hearts and comments under Biles’ post reflected admiration, astonishment, and plenty of envy. Yet, among the hundreds of replies, one stood out in its subtlety. Two‑time Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin—whose own recent comeback from injury had captivated the skiing world—left precisely three soft pink heart emojis:

“💗💗💗” .
No additional words. No fanfare. Just an emblem of love and support, delivered by a fellow champion who knows intimately the pressures of world‑class competition.

Why Three Hearts? Understanding Shiffrin’s Gesture

To the casual observer, emojis may seem trivial; from icons born in chat threads to symbols in high‑stakes commentary, they have evolved into a nuanced language. For Shiffrin—who has carefully calibrated her public persona following her November 2024 crash in Killington, Vermont, and subsequent PTSD challenges—the choice to respond solely with hearts speaks volumes:

1. Empathy Without Excess: In an era of hyper‑analysis, a simple heart can convey genuine care without overshadowing the original message.
2. Quiet Solidarity: Both women have navigated intense expectations—Biles under the Olympic spotlight, Shiffrin in the unforgiving crucible of the World Cup circuit. This shared understanding of “what it takes” forges a bond beyond coaching rooms and competition lodges.
3. Sisterhood on a Global Stage: When Shiffrin’s reply appeared, it instantly became a talking point across sports media, showcasing how elite athletes uplift one another across disciplines and continents.

The Backdrop: Shiffrin’s Recent Triumphs and Trials

Mikaela Shiffrin’s response carries extra weight given her own rollercoaster season. On March 27, 2025, she closed out the World Cup circuit with her 101st career victory in a slalom at Sun Valley, Idaho—achieving the milestone despite having missed several races due to injury . That win cemented her status as the most victorious alpine skier ever, yet it came amid personal and physical challenges: a puncture wound to her abdomen, severe muscle trauma, and a bout of PTSD that forced her to postpone giant‑slalom plans and rethink her path forward .
In late April, she spoke candidly to PEOPLE about enduring “survival mode” alongside her fiancé, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who himself recovered from a career‑threatening crash. Their mutual journey through pain, surgery, and rehab deepened her appreciation for every supportive gesture—including a trio of hearts from one of her greatest friends in sport .

Across the Athletic Divide: What This Exchange Signifies

When athletes of Biles’ and Shiffrin’s caliber acknowledge one another, the moment reverberates:

• Mental Health and Vulnerability: In recent years, both have championed mental‑health awareness—Biles withdrawing from Tokyo 2020 individual finals to protect her wellbeing, Shiffrin speaking openly about PTSD after her crash. Their interaction underscores the role of peer support in combating stigma.
• Breaking Sport Silos: Gymnastics and alpine skiing may share little in terms of terrain or technique, but elite‑level pressure unites them. By crossing the boundaries of their sports on social media, they demonstrate solidarity that resonates with athletes everywhere.
• The Power of Social Media: A six‑word post and a three‑emoji reply made headlines; traditional press conferences can’t match the immediacy and intimacy of these platforms. In a digital age, simple exchanges often carry more authenticity than scripted statements.

Reflections from the Experts

Dr. Emily Stein, a sports psychologist at the University of Colorado, notes:

“When top athletes publicly support each other, it validates the emotional highs and lows inherent to competition. It tells athletes—amateur or elite—that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed, and that one isn’t alone.”
Markovitz Consulting Group, which tracks athlete branding, has observed a 40% uptick in fan engagement whenever Biles or Shiffrin posts unfiltered content—underscoring how authenticity drives connection.

What Comes Next?

In the immediate future, both champions turn their focus back to their core pursuits:

• Simone Biles will prepare for the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, eyeing her 10th national all‑around title and beginning her push toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
• Mikaela Shiffrin enters an off‑season dedicated to mental‑health work and physical prep for the 2025–26 World Cup season, which kicks off in October in Sölden, Austria.

However, their social‑media exchange leaves an imprint beyond competition schedules. It reminds fans that, beneath medals and limelight, athletes share universal needs: understanding, encouragement, and heartfelt connection—sometimes best expressed in just three simple symbols.

At a time when sports headlines can feel dominated by controversy, scandals, or record‑chasing alone, this brief digital conversation between Simone Biles and Mikaela Shiffrin offers a refreshing reminder of empathy’s power. In three words—or rather, three hearts—Shiffrin conveyed a message louder than any podium speech: “I see you, I support you, and I’m with you.” And in that quiet solidarity, the true champion spirit shines brightest.