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Once again, we see a successful black woman being dragged down because of their side character husbands. We saw it once with Keke Palmer, and now we're seeing it with Simone Biles. In fact, she's the last person you think would be in the headlines for anything other than her Olympic medals and spectacular gymnastic skills. Yet, here we are, seeing her in the spotlight because of her husband's comments on the Pivot Podcast.
The Newlyweds
Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens began dating in early 2020. Throughout that year, Biles and Owens frequently shared glimpses of their love on social media. They posted photos together, celebrating milestones and showing their affection. Attending events as a couple helped solidify their status, making them a well-known duo.
The following year, they continued to grow closer, supporting each other's endeavors. Simone, a decorated gymnast, received immense support from Jonathan, a professional football player, during the Tokyo Olympics. Their social media posts highlighted their adventures, shared hobbies, and quality time spent together.
Jonathan Owens took a big step by proposing to Simone Biles. She revealed the engagement on Instagram, flaunting her ring with the caption "The easiest yes," signifying their commitment to moving their relationship forward.
In June 2021, the couple had an intimate wedding in Turks and Caicos, sharing snippets of their special day online. It was the first of their two weddings. The second, held in October 2021 in Simone Biles' hometown of Houston, Texas, was a larger celebration for friends and family who missed the initial ceremony.
They happily shared moments from both weddings, expressing gratitude and joy. Throughout 2022 and 2023, Biles and Owens continued building their lives together. Their social media updates showcased their adventures, achievements, and experiences as a married couple, maintaining a strong connection with their followers.
The Problem
Their relationship seemed sweet at first until Jonathon Ownes was criticized for his comments about how he met the Olympic gymnast. Owens shared that he slid into Biles' DMs on social media, initiating their relationship. In an interview, Owens shared his perspective on their relationship, stating, "I didn't know who she was." He elaborated, recounting the initial encounter by saying, "I just treated her like a regular person, like anybody else, and it worked out good for me." His choice of words drew significant criticism, with many interpreting his remarks as belittling Biles' stature and accomplishments in gymnastics.
Moreover, Owens' assertion that he was the prize in their relationship further fueled the controversy. He mentioned, "I was the prize at the end of the day," indicating a sense of self-importance in their union. This statement didn't sit well with Biles' supporters and fans, who felt it undermined Biles' achievements and downplayed her significance in their relationship.
The public response was swift and vehement, with social media platforms buzzing with criticism and debates. Many expressed disappointment and disapproval of Owens' comments, labeling them as disrespectful and dismissive of Biles' immense contributions to the world of sports. Some highlighted Biles' outstanding career, showcasing her numerous Olympic medals and unparalleled gymnastic skills while contrasting them with Owens' comparatively lower public profile as a professional football player.
One user said, "laughing so hard at how "Simone Biles" is trending and not "Jonathan Owens" because everyone is just calling him Simone's husband LMAO." Another user stated, "You know why I don't take the internet serious? Last week a man that has everything that Jonathan Owens has was the prize, i.e. rich, cars, homes, handsome, physically fit, no kids, etc. He checks all the "boxes" But since he verbally said that he thinks he's the prize, he is now a POS?!"
In true internet fashion, people started digging up old tweets of Jonathan talking about different gymnastics despite claiming he knew nothing about it. In an old resurfaced tweet, Owens said, "Why is there an asian coach for the USA girls gymnist?" Then another tweet resurfaced of Owens insulting fellow gymnast Gabby Douglas, saying, "Gabby just need to get them bottom teeth fixed n then her smile will be cool lol" One person responded, "They done found Jonathan Owens' old tweets with him talking about gymnastics after he said he didn't follow it and didn't know who Simone was… I'm CRYING" Another person said, "Jonathan Owens was watching gabby Douglas on nbc in 2012 but didn't know anything about Simone biles and gymnastics ? Lmao ok" A third user stated, "Oh so you've been watching gymnastics but somehow didn't know the most decorated gymnast??" A fourth user said, "Lots of people don't watch gymnastics so it makes sense he didn't know who Simone Biles is." Bro I've never watched tennis, basketball, swimming or F1 in my life and I still know who Roger Federer, Lebron James, Michael Phelps, and Lewis Hamilton are can we pls be fr"
The controversy also sparked discussions about gender dynamics and power imbalances within relationships, as some argued that Owens' remarks reflected a problematic mindset that diminished the accomplishments of successful women. Critics viewed his comments as emblematic of a larger societal issue where women's achievements are often overshadowed or undervalued in comparison to those of their male counterparts.
One person said, "The Simone Biles husband thing is an extreme example of what we already know. Women can excel at the highest levels- transcend the highest levels. And some mediocre dude will say outloud his mere existence in a male dominated space is equal to or greater than her achievements." Another user stated, "I only know him as Simone Biles' husband. Don't ask me nothin' else."
However, amidst the backlash, some individuals defended Owens, suggesting that his comments might have been misconstrued or taken out of context. They pointed out that his intention might not have been to demean Biles but to express his perspective on their relationship dynamics. As the discussions continue to unfold, it remains to be seen how Owens will address the backlash and whether his clarification or apology will mitigate the criticism directed at him.
