Simone Biles made headlines once again — this time not for her flips but for her fashion. When she arrived at Churchill Downs, all eyes were on her, and what she wore ignited a conversation far beyond the racetrack.
Over the weekend, Simone Biles attended the Kentucky Derby with her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens. The couple appeared at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, dressed in matching lilac ensembles. Their coordinated looks quickly caught attention, though not all were positive.
The decorated gymnast wore a strapless mini dress in soft lilac, embellished with purple rhinestones for the occasion. She paired the eye-catching look with silver heels and a dramatic fascinator perched above her sleek hairstyle. Owens, now with the Chicago Bears, matched her style.
His outfit featured a damask lilac jacket, white pants, matching sneakers, and a rhinestone-studded hat. While their fashion statement garnered attention, the response online was sharply divided. As images circulated, critics quickly took to social media to express disapproval, with Biles’ dress becoming the focus of the backlash.
“Look like she got a tablecloth on [sic],” one user commented bluntly. Another added, “I’m not liking this look on them.” Several others weighed in on the dress length and fit for the occasion. “Inappropriate dress for race… sounded strange,” a commenter noted, suggesting it clashed with the traditional tone of the event.