The Olympic gold medalist received some harsh feedback on social media.

Simone Biles is getting some harsh feedback after sharing that she received an honorary doctorate from Washington University.

“It’s Dr. Biles to you,” the Olympian captioned an Instagram post on May 12. “But in all seriousness ,thank you @washu for allowing me to do the commencement speech! Congrats to all the Graduates. Truly inspiring! Good luck with all your future endeavors!!”

In the comments section of the post, Biles added that she received her honorary doctorate, which is fairly common for athletes, celebrities and others who make significant contributions to society or to their respective fields.

However, there were quite a few social media users who weren’t too thrilled about the honorary degree being handed over to Biles, and the comments section reflected such.

“As someone who has a doctorate that I studied and paid for, took years off my life, I will never understand honorary degrees,” one person wrote.

“I’m completely against giving ‘honorary doctorates’ to entertainers, celebrities, athletes, and anyone else who did NOT put in the insane hard work it takes to obtain such a prestigious degree. It is not something that should be given out as a ‘thank you’ to those who didn’t earn it. There’s a reason so few people actually have a PhD. It’s difficult as fuck and these universities think they’re honoring the recipient of these honorary degrees, while simultaneously slapping those who actually deserve the degree bcuz they EARNED it,” someone else said.

“I love you, but how would you feel if the Olympics awarded honorary gold medals? It would be demeaning to you because you worked hard and earned your medals. Those of us who have earned doctorates feel the same way about our degrees. They are earned, not handed out,” a third comment read.

“Please do not assign yourself a title that the rest of us worked years to earn. I don’t call myself an Olympic gymnast, you are not Dr. Biles,” a fourth Instagram user added.

Other comments, especially on the Washington University Instagram page, were supportive of the honor bestowed upon Biles.

Gymnastics Community Upset With Simone Biles as They Express Bittersweet Feelings Over Life Achievement

At the heart of a sunlit ceremony on May 12, 2025, the crowd at Washington University in St. Louis buzzed with energy. Families held bouquets, graduates beamed with hard-earned pride, and one of the most celebrated athletes in the world took the stage in a robe of black and green. Simone Biles — the seven-time Olympic gold medalist, survivor, advocate, and trailblazer — was there not to compete, but to speak. And speak she did. “People often refer to me as the GOAT,” she began, her voice calm yet resonant. “Not the animal, but the greatest of all time. I’m not going to lie, every once in a while, it does give me chills thinking about what I have accomplished in gymnastics. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret — being the GOAT was never the goal. All I ever wanted to be was the greatest Simone that I could be.” The crowd erupted in applause.

Away from the mat, Simone had been quietly achieving greatness in other ways — by investing in mental health awareness, by mentoring young gymnasts, by using her platform to elevate voices that too often go unheard. Her presence at the commencement wasn’t just symbolic; it was a statement of how high a life can soar with purpose, discipline, and vulnerability. As the ceremony wrapped and her honorary doctorate was conferred, Simone smiled — robe flowing, cap perfectly perched. Later that evening, she took to Instagram to share the moment.

“it’s Dr. Biles to you 🫶🏾.” Simone wrote with a wink of humor and a spark of pride. Then followed a heartfelt message: “but in all seriousness ,thank you @washu for allowing me to do the commencement speech! Congrats to all the Graduates 🎓Truly inspiring! Good luck with all your future endeavors!!” But even in moments of celebration, the internet rarely offers silence. Soon, her comment section filled — some with love, others with lectures. A few users took issue with her self-referencing as “Dr.,” pointing out that honorary degrees are symbolic and don’t entitle someone to use the title professionally.

“A honorary doctorate is a symbolic honor and doesn’t give the holder the right to sign “Doctor” or “Dr.”,” one user wrote. “It’s recognition of service to a career or society, but not in place of an earned doctorate.” It was the kind of moment that highlights the complexities of public life. While Simone had always aimed to be the best version of herself — not for titles or applause, but for purpose — the world around her remained ready to weigh in.

Gymnastics superstar Simone Biles has been on a generational run over the last year or so.

She returned from the 2024 Paris Olympics with three golds and one silver medal, while also becoming the most decorated gymnast in U.S. history. In addition to her success at the Olympics, she headlined the “Gold Over America Tour,” as she and other gymnasts made stops at 30 arenas across the country to perform in front of fans.

She also had some time for some fun and more honors this month, appearing at both the Kentucky Derby and the Met Gala, and receiving an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters degree at Washington University. While it’s unclear what big event is next on the docket for Biles, there may be some shopping to be done.

Biles took to Instagram on Wednesday to share that she is eyeing a handbag from Chanel’s Spring-Summer 2025 Ready-to-Wear collection.

“i need ittt 😍 ,” wrote Biles.

In addition to revealing how much she likes and wants it, Biles also sent out an open call for help to her followers.

“Anyone know/have a chanel rep,” asked Biles.

The seven-time Olympic gold medal gymnast is living that jetsetter life.

Simone Biles is enjoying the springtime on a lovely beach vacation. But while she may be in relaxation mode, she still maintains her title as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time — and she’s issued a flashy reminder.

On Tuesday, May 13, the seven-time Olympic gold medalist took to her Instagram Story to share a selfie from the beach. In the photo, she is wearing a red bikini, along with a necklace containing a charm of a literal goat.

The goat was commissioned by Biles for Janet Heller Fine Jewelry of Los Angeles, California last July, during an impressive run at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. An Instagram post shared by the jewelry company describes the necklace “a three-dimensional masterpiece adorned with 546 diamonds, embodies [Biles’] unparalleled status in gymnastics.”

Though it’s not clear which beach Biles is visiting in her selfie, it comes shortly after she spoke at the Washington University commencement ceremony, during which, she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree.

“The world doesn’t need you to be perfect,” Biles said during her speech. “It needs you to be bold, it needs you to care, and to keep going even when things don’t go as planned. So go out there and write your own story — one that only you can tell.”

Simone Biles delivered an inspirational speech at the Washington University commencement ceremony, where she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree.

Delivering the speech nearly two hours into the ceremony, the gold medalist spoke for a little over ten minutes, telling the audience, “You might think I’m used to the spotlight, but I would probably feel more comfortable if they had allowed me to vault onto the stage or do a little floor routine. But really, today is your day. While I may be considered an elite athlete, I know that you are elite students.” Biles remarks drew an applause from the crowd.

“The world doesn’t need you to be perfect,” she continued. “It needs you to be bold, it needs you to care, and to keep going even when things don’t go as planned. So go out there and write your own story — one that only you can tell.” After her inspiring speech, Washington University took to Instagram to pay their respects to the legendary athlete.

“@simonebiles is no stranger to the podium — or to greatness. As the most decorated gymnast of all time, her athletic achievements speak for themselves,” they wrote in their caption. “But what’s just as remarkable is her advocacy beyond the mat: championing mental health, supporting foster care youth, and amplifying the voices of sexual assault survivors.”

The University continued: “At WashU’s 164th Commencement, she delivered a golden message and a powerful reminder that perfection isn’t the goal — courage is. It was a great honor to present her with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters as she inspired the #WashU25 class to rise, lead, and leap boldly into their next chapter. Congratulations #WashU25 and congratulations, Dr. Biles! ❤️🎉💚.”

Indeed. Huge congrats Dr. Biles.

Simone Biles is no stranger to podiums. We’ve seen her soar, twist, and land with the kind of precision that makes history books rewrite themselves. Gold medals? She’s got them. World titles? Plenty. GOAT status? Undeniably. But recently, Simone stood tall in a very different kind of uniform. No leotards. No chalked-up hands. This time, it was a cap and gown. What? Yes! You read it right.

The most decorated gymnast of all time wasn’t celebrating another athletic win — she was marking an academic milestone that surprised and delighted her fans. For years, fans wondered what could’ve been if Biles had taken the NCAA stage. After all, she had committed to UCLA once upon a time. Can you imagine the electric buzz of a college meet with Biles flipping through the air? But life had other plans. Choices had to be made. But turning professional in 2015 meant giving up that dream. Still, Simone Biles’ relationship with education? Far from over.

So, Simone Biles just casually dropped a TikTok that had fans doing a double-take. This time, she wasn’t flipping through the air or showing off medals. Nope — she was in full graduation regalia, rocking a green gown with red and black trim, a classic black cap with a gold tassel, and holding up a shiny new diploma. The document, from what you could make out, looked official and was styled like one from Washington University in St. Louis. But the real eye-catcher? The title on it: “Honorary Doctorate.” That’s a pretty big deal — it’s an honorary doctorate, usually given to people who’ve made a huge impact on society.

And in true Simone Biles fashion, she kept the caption short and sweet: “call me Dr. Biles.” Posting a photo from her big day also on Instagram, she cheekily wrote, “It’s Dr. Biles to you 🫶🏾.”Of course, she followed it up with a heartfelt message: “But in all seriousness, thank you @washu for allowing me to do the commencement speech! Congrats to all the graduates 🎓 Truly inspiring! Good luck with all your future endeavors!!” Classic Biles — a little flex, a lot of gratitude, and always inspiring.

Just like that, she let the world know she’s now got a new title — not from winning medals, but for her work as an advocate, role model, and changemaker. From pushing mental health conversations into the spotlight to inspiring athletes everywhere, this honorary doctorate is another well-deserved recognition. Simone might have missed the NCAA stage, but she keeps proving that her legacy goes way beyond gymnastics. But the question now comes, why did she choose to turn professional instead of NCAA?

Why Simone Biles opted out of the NCAA

Simone Biles’ gymnastics journey began at the age of six during a daycare field trip to a gym. Her natural athleticism quickly became apparent, and by the age of 14, she was competing at the elite level. In 2014, she verbally committed to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), planning to join their gymnastics team after the 2016 Summer Olympics. However, in July 2015, Biles made the decision to turn professional, forfeiting her NCAA eligibility to pursue a career in elite gymnastics. She chose this path because she was doing so well internationally and becoming a multiple World Champion, and she knew she wouldn’t have many more chances to compete in the Olympics.

Reflecting on her decision, Biles shared, “It was a very long and hard decision. My dad kept telling me, ‘You can always go to college, but you can’t always go pro.” That made sense to me.“ Additionally, she noted, ” if you have an opportunity to set yourself up [financially] in life, why not take it? So I was like, ‘Let’s get this going.“

Simone Biles stood on a gold podium, addressed a crowd of thousands and admitted she was a little nervous.

Biles then gave a performance several minutes longer than any of her gymnastics routines.

She spoke for 12 minutes at Washington University in St. Louis, giving the commencement address on a rainy Monday. She did so at Francis Olympic Field, which held competition in several sports during the 1904 St. Louis Olympics.

The whole speech is here, about one hour and 45 minutes into the ceremony.

“You might think I’m used to the spotlight, but I would probably feel more comfortable if

they had allowed me to vault onto the stage or do a little floor routine,” she said with chuckles, drawing applause. “But really, today is your day. While I may be considered an elite athlete, I know that you are elite students.”

Biles was also bestowed an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.

“I always dreamed of going to college, not just to be part of a collegiate gymnastics team, but to study medicine, to become a children’s nurse or a pediatrician, and to enjoy all the fun of a college campus,” said Biles, who committed to UCLA before turning professional at age 18 and forgoing college gymnastics. “But for me, that dream bumped up against others, and ultimately I chose a different path. But I do think my path and yours have a lot in common, although mine probably included a few more sequins and leotards.”

Biles last competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning three gold medals and one silver medal. She has repeated this spring that she doesn’t know if she will return to competition to bid for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

To close her address Monday, she said, “The world doesn’t need you to be perfect. It needs you to be bold. It needs you to care and to keep going even when things don’t go as planned.”

It’s been a busy past week for United States Olympic star gymnast Simone Biles who gave the “Riders Up” call at the Kentucky Derby on May 3 before attending the Met Gala just a few days later.

The seven-time Olympic gold medalist delivered a flawless performance, but it’s what she said about her future with husband Jonathan Owens, a defensive back for the Chicago Bears, that caught everyone’s attention at the time.

“We are obviously gonna put them in sports in the beginning so they get their bearings and learn,” Simone told E! News. “But other than that, we don’t really care what they do as long as they find their passion…I’ve always wanted to be a mother, have kids and just like [Jonathan], he’s always wanted to be a dad, so it’s just really exciting.”

Fans got a bit overzealous, suggesting she was pregnant, which Biles shut down immediately. “I am not pregnant, I never was pregnant therefore I never had a baby. Please stop asking me and falling for AI,” she said plainly.

Fast forward just a few days and Biles is back in the headlines thanks to a recent change to her physical appearance. She showed off a change to her hair with a shoutout, “slayyyyyy, she did her big one mhmmmkayyy,” she said in the caption of her post on her Instagram story.

During an interview in August 2024, Biles admitted she wants to have kids with her husband, but their professional lives won’t be taking a back seat.

“Me and Jonathan always talk about kids,” she said during an appearance on Today. “He would have had them yesterday if he could have. Obviously, we both have goals that we want to achieve before we start a family, but yes, that’s definitely in our future.”