Simone Biles walked a red carpet in Europe earlier this year. The legendary U.S. Olympics gymnast attended the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid. However, it came at a cost.
A big one, to be sure.
“We need to have a discussion… I just need to know if this is normal,” Biles said in a TikTok video. “I know going outside is expensive as (expletive) these days, but like is it this expensive, ok?”
Biles revealed that it cost her $23,000 in total to walk the red carpet at the event. That's taking into account her outfit cost, her hair and makeup, her security, etc.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Biles was understandably outraged by the cost.
However, Biles is now facing backlash for her criticism, as those in the hair and makeup industry are speaking out.
Biles faces criticism for her $23,000 bill complaint
Batya Ungar-Sargon, the host of Batya! on NewsNation, sounded off on Biles.
“We’ve let Simone Biles down,” the reporter said in a video on X. “The Olympic gymnast, worth an estimated $25 million, is outraged that it costs so much to glam yourself up these days.”
“How dare those makeup artists and hairstylists try to make a living? How dare they charge Simone Biles so much money? Don’t they know who she is?”
Biles was ripped for both being "out of touch" and also for being critical of having to pay for different red carpet "necessities."
“The real outrage here, of course, is not that it costs so much to make her look good, but that Biles both paid it and then complained about it,” the reporter added. “If there’s one thing worse than a clueless, out-of-touch gazillionaire, it’s a cheap one.”
Biles, of course, stands by her claim - she doesn't want to pay $23,000 to walk a red carpet, no matter where it is.
