Like much of America, Taylor Swift has been watching the US Gymnastics Olympic team trial with bated breath, hoping to see just what the red, white, and blue have to offer across bars, beam, floor, and vault.
She was greeted with a pleasant surprise during Simone Biles' floor routine. Biles, ever the show-woman, enchanted the Target Center faithful with flips, spins, and a triple-double pass, for good measure. Notably, she did all of that while being soundtracked by a mash-up of Swift's "Ready for It?" and Travis Scott and Beyonce's “Delresto (Echoes)."
It took the gymnastics world by storm, drawing raucous applause from those who filled up the concourses. Biles earned quite the reward for her showcase, receiving a 14.850 score, by far the best of the night.
MORE: Tracking live scores, standings at 2024 U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials
If that wasn't enough, she garnered praise from an unlikely source: Swift herself, who responded to a clip of Biles' excellence with a pleasant message on X, the website formerly known as Twitter.
Watched this so many times and still unready. She’s ready for it tho👏👏👏🥇🇺🇸❤️
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 29, 2024
She wasn't the only one impressed with Biles' exploits. Former Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu was also taken aback with Biles' showcase, a feeling she expressed on X.
ALWAYS! ❤️
— Dominique Moceanu (@Dmoceanu) June 29, 2024
This isn't the first time Swift and Biles have crossed paths. The two have a kindred relationship, fortified by the spotlights both have lived under. It was Swift who provided a monologue for Biles during the 2021 Olympics amid her mental health struggles.
“Throughout the last week, her voice has been as significant as her talents. Her honesty as beautiful as the perfection that had long been her signature,” Swift said. “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.”
The gesture that drew tears from both Swift and Biles
I’m crying 🥺🤍 how special. I love you @taylorswift13 https://t.co/px9RXtKHNI
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) August 3, 2021
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. https://t.co/VQxyeEf0mJ
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) August 3, 2021
The duo also appeared at the Chiefs-Packers game at Lambeau Field last December, each supporting their respective beaus — Swift was there for Kansas City star Travis Kelce, while Biles watched for then-Green Bay safety Jonathan Owens. Despite their collective fame, the pairing did not touch base during the matchup.
MORE: USA Olympic gymnastics qualifying, explained
"I'm not sure they were exactly happy that the Packers were beating them," Biles jokingly said of Swift and her crew in a Vanity Fair article released in January.
Biles unveiled her floor routine ahead of May's Prefontaine Classic. Given the success — and clamor — it has brought, expect to see it countless more times before Olympic season is over.
