Simone Biles debuts short bob at 2024 CMAs months after clapping back at Paris Olympics hair criticism

Simone Biles is going for the gold with a new hairstyle.

The Olympic gold medalist showed off her new chin-length bob at the 58th Annual CMA Awards Wednesday evening after she clapped back at critics who slammed her for wearing her hair up during one of her Paris Olympic events over the summer.

Her hair was styled with a slight wave as she dazzled in a silver off-the-shoulder dress on the red carpet in Nashville.

Earlier on Wednesday, the gymnast debuted the new hairdo on her Instagram Story, teasing fans about her look for later in the evening.

“okay but wait for the glow up later today,” she wrote atop the snap.

Biles’ chic new look features a side part and none of the blond highlights she’s been rocking lately.

The 27-year-old gymnast’s hair was at the center of attention in July at the Paris Games because people were upset she threw it up into a simple bun. However, she swiftly took to social media to stand up for herself.

“don’t come for me about my hair. IT WAS DONE but bus has NO AC & it’s like 9,0000 degrees,” she wrote on her Instagram Story atop a video showing herself cooling down on a bus with a portable fan.

In a second Story slide, she added, “gonna hold your hand when I say this 💋 next time you wanna comment on a black girls hair. JUST DON’T.”

Earlier that month, Biles opened up to Elle about how she handles unsolicited comments about her hair and how she’s learned to embrace her natural tresses over the years.

“I used to worry about [my hair being considered] not professional,” she said. “But I’m not embarrassed about it anymore.”

“Most of the backlash we get is from our own community, which is unfortunate,” she added. “I don’t really care if my edges aren’t smooth.”

Biles also explained why she prefers a practical hairdo over something more showy.

“I don’t want my extensions falling out or this that [and] the other,” she said. “We don’t get to bring a makeup artist or a hairstylist.”

Biles became the most decorated US gymnast in history at the 2024 Games. She has 11 medals in total, with seven being gold.

After leading the women’s gymnastics team to gold in July, she defended herself and her teammates after her former teammate MyKayla Skinner expressed her belief that the current team’s work ethic and talent were not up to par.

“Lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions,” Biles captioned her post, which showed her celebrating the big win with Suni Lee, Hezly Rivera, Jade Carey and Jordan Chiles.