Lifestyle

Simone Biles reminds us: You never know what Olympic athletes are going through

Published

2 hours ago

July 27, 2024

Simone Biles reminds us: You never know what Olympic athletes are going through

Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history. But she withdrew from the last summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, a journey that is chronicled in the new Netflix series Simone Biles Rising.

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Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

The Netflix series Simone Biles Rising is, on the one hand, exactly what you would expect: a documenting of Biles’ remarkable career, with an emphasis on her unexpected withdrawal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (which were delayed until 2021) and her preparation for the Paris Olympics, which are under way.

Much of the story is well-known, particularly her utter dominance of her sport in the last decade or so. And it’s not the first time anyone has tried to shed light on the mental health vulnerabilities of elite athletes, even at the Olympics: That’s also the topic of the HBO film The Weight of Gold (which I highly recommend). What makes this series timely is that it works as something of an education, or at least a reminder, for audiences just as the Olympics start. The message: We don’t know these athletes.

Biles has a “forbidden Olympic closet” where she keeps all of her items from Tokyo.

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When Biles dropped out of most of the competition in Tokyo, some things were known. She talked about having “the twisties,” a condition familiar to gymnasts in which the athlete loses the ability to know and control where they are in the air. But a lot of commentators and social media jerks, as you see in the series, blew off that explanation and declared she should have just pushed through, that she just quit, and that a strong person would have continued on no matter what.

What many people featured in the series make clear is that when the twisties hit an athlete, the risk is not just that you’ll be embarrassed or lose. As 1992 Olympic medalist Betty Okino says — with a little reluctance, because she doesn’t want to scare young gymnasts — you can die. If you can’t land on your feet and you instead land on your head, you can die. If you’ve ever seen baseball players struggle with the yips and keep throwing wildly no matter how many therapies they have attempted, or if you idolize athletes who play hurt in general, think about whether they’d keep doing it if every errant throw was potentially life-threatening.

Biles is also quite open about the fact that the contemptuous and vicious way commentators like Jason Whitlock spoke about her (they still do!) took a toll. She acknowledges at one point that it was a good idea for her to turn off Instagram comments, and that she’s removed Twitter (now X) from her phone a couple of times when she needs to.

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But perhaps the most useful thing she does in the series is create context for her comeback. Yes, you get to see how she showed up in competition again in 2023 and performed very, very well, at 26 – an age when she says she thought she’d be retired. But while the timing of Olympic competition can be brutal — if you miss your moment, you don’t get another one for years — it also means that if you need to recover, you have the time. After Tokyo in 2021, Biles and her coach say she didn’t really get underway in the gym again for about a year and a half. The coach says that the only real cure for the twisties is to take time off and try to work on your general well-being, including your mental health. And so that’s what she did.

Simone Biles is returning to the Olympics in 2024 — on her own terms.

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She went to therapy; in fact, she convinced her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, to go to a sports psychologist, too, and he speaks about how useful it’s been in his own career. She spent time processing trauma in her life, including the fact that she was one of many gymnasts who came forward to acknowledge sexual abuse by Team USA doctor Larry Nassar, part of a very long story that publicly unfolded mostly between her 2016 and 2021 Olympic appearances. And she talks about the fact that when she did come back to the gym, it was not with a glorious fanfare and a delighted spring in her step. She was scared and discouraged. Before competing at the 2023 World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, she says this: “Mostly, I’m trying not to die.”

One possible lesson to take away from the series — perhaps the simplest one — is “Simone Biles is awesome; look how she fought to come back.” And that certainly appears to be true. But the other lesson is a bit more complicated: Athletes are just people. They don’t follow neat paths, necessarily. For Biles, coming back took time. She was sometimes ambivalent. The ultimate outcome is not assured. Handling the kind of negativity she faces is something she’s working on.

Elite athletes (including super-elite athletes, which is the only phrase that really captures Biles’ place in her sport) have limits. Top men’s tennis player Jannik Sinner isn’t playing in the Olympics because of tonsillitis, and mental health is just capable of interrupting a competition. Tennis phenom Naomi Osaka has faced criticism similar to what’s been directed at Biles when she’s taken care of her own health by taking a step back. (Notably, they are both women of color; there is some smart discussion of the role of race in the Biles film, too.)

So whether they meet their goals or not, much of what Olympians feel and experience is unknowable unless and until they choose to explain it. It may look like just grit and triumph or grit and disappointment, but in fact, it’s more impressive to remember that they’re complicated people with a lot going on, even when they’re not performing.

This piece also appeared in NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter so you don’t miss the next one, plus get weekly recommendations about what’s making us happy.

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Simone Biles' Olympic Sponsors Praise Her For Putting Mental Health First

Lifestyle

Channing Tatum Performs with 'Magic Mike Live' Dancers at Bachelor Party

Published

3 hours ago

July 27, 2024

Press Room

Channing Tatum Performs with 'Magic Mike Live' Dancers at Bachelor Party

Channing Tatum‘s already finished off his ‘Last Dance’ as Magic Mike in last year’s trilogy-completer … but, every dancer loves an encore — and CT just gave his in Las Vegas.

The actor took the SAHARA Las Vegas stage Friday night where “Magic Mike Lives” gets fans hot and bothered five days a week in Sin City … joining the crew for their encore.

Check out the clip … there are a ton of sweaty, shirtless men onstage — having a heck of a good time, bouncing around and shaking it for the dudes and ladies in the crowd.

Tatum — keeping his shirt on, sorry to disappoint — comes from the back of the stage to the front … hat pulled over his eyes, and hiding his identity for a few moments.

But, the audience quickly realizes which celeb b-boy’s hiding under the cap … with fans screaming and pointing at Channing’s arrival onstage — and, while he keeps the shirt and pants on — his gyrating still draws excited screams.

Channing Tatum's Shirtless Shots

Channing created and co-directs ‘MML’ — a live striptease performance boasting some of the best male dancers around — with choreographer Alison Faulk based on the ‘Magic Mike’ series.

Faulk also hit the stage with all her guys for celebrity stylist Andrew Mukamal‘s joint bachelor party with his future husband Connor Bailey.

Like we said, Magic Mike’s supposedly made his last dance on the silver screen … but, looks like Channing’s ready to bust a move at the drop of a hat.

Lifestyle

Opinion: Think you have a rough travel story? Try 52 days stuck in space

Published

9 hours ago

July 27, 2024

Press Room

Opinion: Think you have a rough travel story? Try 52 days stuck in space

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams wave as they prepare to depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida to board the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on June 5.

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Think you have a rough travel story? Millions of Americans do this summer. But it’s difficult to top, and I mean the word in all ways, the predicament of Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams.

They’re the astronauts who rocketed into space aboard the Boeing Starliner capsule on June 5 for what was supposed to be about a week in orbit on the International Space Station. As of today, they have been circling the earth for 52 days.

Just before liftoff, NASA unloaded luggage that contained some personal items, like their changes of clothing, because the space agency needed the space for a new pump to help recycle liquid waste into drinkable water. Think about that over your morning coffee.

Sure, your space suit might look a little wrinkled in a week. But who’s going to see you — E.T.? Besides, you’ll be back home soon. Oh, wait …

Boeing’s Starliner has had helium leaks and thruster failures during its inaugural trip to the ISS. The battery aboard the craft is rated to last 90 days. Time is running out for engineers to diagnose the problem and repair the Starliner, if the astronauts are to ride it home.

To be clear, Astronauts Williams and Wilmore are not stranded. They are in residence aboard the ISS, with other astronauts and cosmonauts. If the Starliner can’t return to Earth, the astronauts may have to come back in a SpaceX Dragon capsule … another embarrassment for Boeing.

Williams and Wilmore can handle the changes in plan. Both are military and space flight veterans. Williams has been on seven spacewalks.

But it’s tempting this weekend to imagine a sitcom in space that studios might now be planning. Like, say, Nine’s Company: “Two astronauts can’t get home when their spacecraft blows a gasket, and they have to bunk aboard the ISS. But wait — who has the Hello Kitty toothbrush?”

Or the Netflix rom-com Lost and Found in Space. “Two astronauts are cooped up together on the ISS. Jordan is neat and methodical, Drew scattered and impulsive. Jordan listens to Mozart; Drew likes Nicki Minaj. Jordan reads James Joyce and Marcel Proust; Drew watches ramen recipes on TikTok. But as they circle Earth 3,000 times, their eyes meet across the module, they see each other float in the starlight. And…”

Lifestyle

The biggest fashion no-no's and the best closet essentials, according to stylist Ann-Marie Hoang

Published

10 hours ago

July 27, 2024

Press Room

The biggest fashion no-no's and the best closet essentials, according to stylist Ann-Marie Hoang

Ann-Marie Hoang, L.A.-based wardrobe stylist from Highland Park.

(Jennelle Fong / For The Times)

Ann-Marie Hoang has made a career out of her love for chaos.

As an L.A.-based wardrobe stylist from Highland Park, Hoang finds that her creative energy is best exercised on the set of a music video. Something about long days and cross-team collaboration always leaves her feeling inspired. Whether it’s on the movie-inspired set of Ariana Grande’s video “Thank U, Next,” the twisted cityscape of Doja Cat’s “Streets” or Megan Thee Stallion’s brightly colored toy store in “Cry Baby,” Hoang helps complete the artist’s vision — she’s typically in charge of all the clothing that appears on screen that isn’t worn by the musician.

“I need it in my soul in order to feel creative and do some of these commercial shoots,” says Hoang. Some of her signature looks include the punk-inspired looks on Doja Cat’s Scarlet tour, the mostly pink, sparkly attire in Grande’s “7 Rings” or even the office-chic outfits in Kacey Musgraves’ “High Horse.” Her most memorable shoot so far was working with the team of 200-plus people that styled Rihanna at the Super Bowl.

Hoang enjoys working with musicians because she can dress to her “truest self and not feel any judgment.” Her personal style lies at the intersection of experimental and edgy. Often focused around several staple pieces, her outfits tend to incorporate shiny teeth grills, extremely furry hats, inventive reflective sunglasses and high-heeled sneakers.

The three words that Hoang would use to describe her day-to-day style? “Unapologetic, armored [with jewelry] and unpredictable.”

Stylist poses in all black next to a red ball.

Close-up of Ann-Marie Hoang's outfit showing a key chain dangling from a belt loop.

Ann-Marie Hoang showing the back of her jacket with a black-and-off-white checkerboard pattern.

I always start my day with electrolytes or a kiss for my kids.

When I’m in the car, I’m probably listening to Jungle.

The color I’m unexpectedly gravitating toward is not unexpected. Ever since I was a kid, I have only gravitated towards one color, and it’s green. Back in the day, I used to think that I was going to get one of those imported cars and it was going to be green with green flames. Even if a project calls for no green for some reason, I need to pick it up and just get at least one green piece.

My most treasured piece in my closet is my Oakley Over the Top glasses. I’ve always wanted them. It’s one of those things that I’ve always put on my mood boards. The fact that Oakley went so far with their sunglasses is something I absolutely love. They’re functional, but I’ve never seen anything like it. They were even worn in the Olympics.

Ann-Marie Hoang posing in a headscarf, Over the Top sunglasses and a graphic T-shirt.

Stylist poses in Over the Top glasses and white kitten heels.

My ideal Saturday in L.A. looks like waking up, going to Cindy’s, then maybe going to the park and having a picnic with my family. I try to take weekends off so that I can spend time with my kids because during the week, it just gets a little chaotic with their school schedule. I try to be present on the weekends.

My signature scent is Palo Santo, the roll-on. I’ve been wearing it for three or four years now. I even order two at a time.

When I get dressed every morning, I always think about the weather first. Then, I think about if I’m going to be in a jujitsu class, or if I’m going to be shopping or if I’m going to be on set. Then I pick one statement piece that I want to wear with all those factors considered.

Ann-Marie Hoang wearing a black hat, white veil and denim jacket.

Ann-Marie Hoang stands on a red sheet of paper, wearing a veil.

Ann-Marie Hoang wears Ella Loca hat veil, Mauricio Cruz denim jacket, Comme des Garçons x Nike heels.

A designer who made me look at fashion differently? There wasn’t [one]. I love to people-watch. That’s what drew me to styling. It’s never been a designer for me because I’m not one to look at brands. I look more at a cut or how somebody will piece something together. That’s more interesting to me than a designer.

It goes hand in hand with what I do. I work with background dancers, and a lot of times [brands] don’t want to give them clothes because they’re not artists. So, I have to find ways to elevate everybody’s look without making it designer.

The best place to people-watch is the flea market because I feel people are so good at mixing modern, vintage and designer. People are always so spread out in L.A., but on a Sunday, all the fashion people are going shopping at the flea. It’s where I get a lot of inspiration.

I always manifest to work with Rihanna’s team. I love to support Jahleel [Weaver, Rihanna’s stylist] because he’s such a dream to work with. I really get inspired by his work ethic. I want to work hard for that team, because they are so intentional. They’re so professional and really cool at the same time.

My thinking place is my car whenever I drive to a familiar place, like to my house or [taking] the kids to school.

My niche essential for a shoot is this double-sided tape called Fearless Tape. I cannot find tin cans of it anymore, and my assistants have been emailing the company to bring it back. It’s my prized possession. Sometimes you don’t even need safety pins, and after dry cleaning, it stays on still sticky.

If I had to wear one shoe for the rest of my life it would be my Prada loafers. I love them. They go with everything and they give me a little height.

Ann-Marie Hoang posing in a black outfit.

Close-up of Ann-Marie Hoang wearing a black jacket and holding a Raiders bag.

Ann-Marie Hoang wears Nike cap and glasses, Adidas jacket and biker shorts, Prada tie and loafers, Michael Hoban x Tried and True overalls, VidaKush socks and jewelry.

Listening to [an artist’s] radio is a must when working on a shoot. It’s something like London rap or it’s something super mellow. Maybe Little Dragon or Anderson .Paak. Something mellow but a little upbeat.

My comfort meal is a crispy potato taco. There’s this place down the street from my house. They make the most delicious shrimp potato hard-shell tacos. You know it’s good when there’s a grandma sitting outside telling the chef what to do.

To me, the hardest part of styling someone else is getting them to step out of their comfort zone. Everyone dresses themselves every day, so they have an idea of what they should be looking like. Sometimes people hold on to their ideas so much that it’s hard to let go, and to trust.

The key to building that trust between a client and a stylist is telling them to just try it. If they try on what I want to put them in and then if they absolutely hate it, then it’s fine. But I will break down the reasons why I do certain things. Sometimes it’s ultimately not up to me or them; we’re all working for somebody.

My biggest fashion no-no is skinny jeans. I don’t think that men’s jeans should be tighter than women’s jeans. It’s very unflattering because you end up looking like a chicken leg. It’s just not flattering on most people. I’d rather just do a straight leg.

Ann-Marie Hoang poses in a furry hat and black boots.

Something I regret not buying is … I don’t know. I buy everything I want.

This summer, I think everyone will probably be wearing bloomers and hot shorts. It is becoming a hot girl summer. Micro shorts, low rise — all that is coming back.