Taylor Swift and Simone Biles have a mutual respect for each other.
During the U.S. Olympic team trials over the weekend, Biles performed her floor routine to Swift’s song “…Ready For It?” The song choice prompted Swift to positively react, which, in turn, sparked Biles to respond.
“I do love her. She is so sweet,” Biles told TODAY’s Hoda Kotb in an exclusive interview that aired July 1.
Hoda sat down with the five members of the U.S. women’s gymnastics squad and workshopped some names people can refer to the team as, suggesting at one point the “Fearless Five,” an allusion to Swift’s 2008 album, “Fearless.”
“OK, that’s cute. But I feel like it has to be a little bit more younger. Ask the TikTokers. They’ll think of something,” Biles joked.
Over the weekend, Biles showed off her incomparable gymnastics skills as she landed a spot on Team USA’s Olympic roster. On June 28, Biles performed her impressive floor routine while Swift’s “Reputation” song “…Ready For It?” played in the background.
In a video of her routine posted by NBC Olympics & Paralympics on X, Biles nailed a triple double in her series of flips and twists, as the song’s beat kicked in.
At the end of her routine, the gold medalist waved while the crowd erupted into applause.
Swift saw the tweet and responded with glowing support for the athlete.
“Watched this so many times and still unready,” she said, playfully referring to her song.
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Swift added, “She’s ready for it tho.” The Grammy winner also included three clapping hands, a gold medal, U.S. flag and red heart emoji.
This isn’t the first time Biles’ floor routine has featured “…Ready For It?” She previously used the song at the 2024 Core Hydration Classic in May.
Swift and Biles have developed a friendship over the years. The pop icon has also gushed about Biles in the past.
In August 2021, the “Fortnight” singer narrated a pump-up video that played for Biles before her beam routine.
“What do we want from our heroes? What do we expect from them? What do we need from them? What happens when they surprise us?” Swift asked.
She continued, “When you have the attention of the world, everything you do takes on a bigger meaning. It can be a heavy burden. It can be a chance to change everything. Throughout the last week, her voice has been as significant as her talents. Her honesty as beautiful as the perfection that has long been her signature. But don’t you see? It still is. She’s perfectly human. And that’s what makes it so easy to call her a hero. Simone Biles, back on the beam in Tokyo.”
Swift’s uplifting message came after Biles withdrew from the U.S. women’s gymnastics team and individual all-around events in July 2021 to prioritize her mental health.
Biles reacted to Swift’s kind words on X at the time.
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“I’m crying,” she said. “How special. I love you @taylorswift13.”
Swift replied and said she was just as emotional.
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She wrote, “I cried watching YOU. I feel so lucky to have gotten to watch you all these years, but this week was a lesson in emotional intelligence and resilience. We all learned from you. Thank you.”
