Even with 11.9 million followers, Simone Biles‘ fame doesn’t grant the public free rein over her personal life, a reality that has once again followed her across the globe. Earlier in 2026, her husband’s privacy was put to the test in Milan when Jonathan Owens revealed someone had “tried to snatch” his shopping bag in the streets. He managed to handle the situation, but the moment was a stark reminder of the risks that come with popularity. Now, just two months later, that same tension has resurfaced, and again, this time it has struck when Biles was far from home.
This week, Biles traveled to Madrid, Spain, nearly 5,005 miles away, to attend the Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 after being announced as a Laureus Ambassador. But this trip felt different as it was after a long time that she had travelled alone. And even in a new city, the attention didn’t slow down, more so in a negative way. As fans likely gathered outside her hotel and waited for hours, it turned the exciting moment into something overwhelming for the gymnast.
That’s when Biles took to Instagram to make an emotional plea, “Okay I reallllllly love how passionate and dedicated y’all are, BUT I have to be honest. It really makes me anxious when you stand outside of the hotel all day.”
“Can we please please please love from afar & respect privacy xx 
” she requested. Simone Biles added, making her stance clear without pushing fans away: “I would love to take pics while I’m out & about though 
”
This is not the first time Biles has spoken about how constant attention affects her. During the Paris 2024 Olympics, she opened up about feeling overwhelmed in the Olympic Village. Recalling her first day in the Olympic Village, she expressed that the experience had left her shaken:
“I have not done much around the Olympic Village, and it’s because the first day we got here, and I got to the cafeteria, and a lot of people were asking me for photos, like non-stop,” Simone Biles said. “Whenever I got sat down to eat, my anxiety was so bad I was shaking. And I couldn’t stop shaking, and I was so overwhelmed.”
Because of that, she began avoiding common spaces. At the same time, her journey with mental health has been ongoing. Since her withdrawal from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to the “twisties,” she has continued to speak openly about it. More recently, she shared that she is still working through it, “I’m still on the health and wellness journey.” But this Madrid trip also stood out for another reason!
Simone Biles draws a clear line on privacy after repeated public boundary issues
For months, Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens were often seen together at events, public outings, and appearances, including promotional moments for her “Taste of Gold” project and other high-profile sporting occasions. However, this time felt different. Biles travelled alone to Madrid while Owens stayed in the United States for training camp with the Indianapolis Colts.
She even shared a personal moment on Instagram, posting a photo of a framed wedding picture of them, which was on the table in her hotel room, with the caption, “My honey is off to training camp today.”
But whether Owens is with her or not, one thing does not change: her privacy and personal space are not open for intrusion.
That idea has been reinforced through several public moments in recent years. During the Paris 2024 Olympics, Simone Biles was constantly surrounded by media as she moved between competition areas, warm-up zones, and mixed zones. Cameras followed her so closely throughout the event, and at one point, a cameraman physically bumped into her.
Biles turned toward the camera crew and warned: “If one of these cameramen hit me one more time, we’re going to have an issue.” But in the months that followed, Simone Biles’ message about personal space became more and more direct. In March 2025, she spoke again about discomfort with unwanted physical contact in public settings.
“The easiest way to irritate me is to touch or grab me when I’m in public,” Simone Biles shared on social media.
Taken together, these moments show a pattern, whether in public events, major competitions, or daily life, Simone Biles has repeatedly made one point clear: admiration is welcome, but personal space is not something to be crossed.
