For someone who has conquered the world’s biggest stages, Simone Biles did not expect a red carpet to rattle her. Yet the most decorated gymnast in history recently admitted she was stunned after spending $23,000 on a stylist, hair and makeup team for a public appearance.
@simonebilesowens
I will be staying inside for the foreseeable future 🥴 on another note, also kinda wack when they double or triple the price because of your name. this didn’t happen this time but it has before 🤍 my intention isn’t to bash anyone, everyone I work with/have worked with is LOVELY! I’m just curious if this is normal
♬ original sound – Simone Biles
The revelation came in a candid TikTok video where Biles openly questioned whether such costs are now standard. While celebrity glam squads have long been part of awards shows and high-profile events, the price tag clearly caught her off guard. She suggested that if those numbers represent the new normal, she might prefer staying home “where it’s free.”
Her reaction quickly resonated online. Fans filled the comments with disbelief, many saying the figure made their jaws drop. Others encouraged her to skip the stylist altogether and choose her own outfits. Biles responded with humor, noting that while she would happily show up in brands like Oh Polly, House of CB or Club L London, the internet tends to critique her fashion choices harshly.
Simone and the pressure of perfection
The moment speaks to a broader tension that public figures face. For celebrities, especially women, appearance is rarely treated as optional. Red carpet images are dissected in real time across social media platforms. A dress can trend within minutes. So can criticism.
Biles has lived under that scrutiny since she was a teenager. At 16, she won gold at the World Gymnastics Championships in Belgium and quickly became one of the sport’s brightest stars. Over the next decade, she built a legacy that made her the most decorated gymnast in history. With that dominance came intense public attention.
In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar Spain, Biles acknowledged that achieving success so young carried a heavy emotional cost. She described the pressure of constant observation and the fear of disappointing others. Therapy, she said, became essential in helping her manage expectations and remain grounded.
Fame, fashion and financial reality
The glam squad conversation taps into a larger cultural moment. As inflation and rising living costs dominate headlines, audiences are more sensitive to conversations about money. For everyday people navigating higher prices at grocery stores and gas pumps, a five-figure beauty bill can feel staggering.
At the same time, celebrity styling has evolved into a full-scale production. Teams coordinate wardrobe pulls, fittings, tailoring, travel logistics and beauty prep. What was once a behind-the-scenes service is now part of the entertainment narrative itself, documented across TikTok and Instagram.
Biles’ honesty cut through that gloss. Instead of presenting luxury as effortless, she revealed the sticker shock behind it. The transparency made her relatable, even as she operates in a world far removed from most fans’ daily lives.
Simone stays candid in the spotlight
Despite the shock, Biles continues to show up as one of sports’ most authentic voices. Whether discussing mental health or the pressures of public life, she has repeatedly chosen openness over polish.
The stylist cost may fade from the news cycle, but the larger theme lingers. In a culture driven by appearance and instant commentary, even global icons pause to ask whether the price of perfection is worth it.
For Biles, staying grounded remains the priority. And if that means spending more time where it is free, her fans seem ready to follow her there.