Speculation has arisen among Olympic viewers regarding whether celebrated gymnast Simone Biles has diabetes. This follows her appearance in a commercial for Mounjaro, a medication designed for individuals with diabetes. However, the question remains: does Simone Biles have diabetes?
The answer is no. Simone Biles does not have diabetes. The confusion stems from her participation in the Mounjaro commercial, which was actually in support of her adoptive mother, Nellie Biles, who lives with type 2 diabetes.
Why the Confusion About Simone Biles and Diabetes?
The speculation began after Simone Biles featured in a commercial for Mounjaro, a medicine by Lilly. Mounjaro is an FDA-approved treatment used to manage blood sugar levels in adult patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Simone’s involvement in this campaign led some to wonder if she herself was affected by the condition.
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The commercial features Nellie Biles narrating over footage of Simone. “My daughter works hard and so do people with type 2 diabetes. But if their efforts aren’t enough, would people do diabetes differently? They can with once-weekly Mounjaro,” Nellie states in the advertisement. Nellie then appears in the commercial herself to further discuss the medication while visuals of Simone performing her floor exercise and receiving applause are shown.
Following this, the ad shows Simone signing autographs and interacting with fans. The commercial concludes with Simone and Nellie together, with Simone saying, “You can do diabetes differently with Mounjaro.”
It’s important to note that while Nellie Biles is part of the Mounjaro campaign, she clarifies that she does not personally take this specific medication. Her aim is to encourage others with type 2 diabetes to consult their doctors about available treatment options. The commercial began airing in the lead-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics, which commenced on July 26, 2024.
Nellie Biles’ Experience with Type 2 Diabetes
Nellie Biles received her type 2 diabetes diagnosis in her early fifties. In a June 28, 2024, interview with The Healthy, Nellie shared, “I received my type 2 diabetes diagnosis in my early fifties — so when I think back to that time, that definitely was a defining moment for me. In a way I was not surprised, simply because I do have family members that also have type 2 diabetes.” This interview was given shortly after the partnership with Mounjaro was publicly announced.
Nellie also emphasized the broader impact of her diagnosis, stating, “There’s also a family that still needs to be taken care of. My family are definitely aware of the fact that I have type 2 diabetes, and so our lifestyle has changed somewhat.” She elaborated on lifestyle adjustments such as cooking healthier meals and managing portion sizes to support her health while maintaining family routines.
Nellie also highlighted Simone’s supportive nature when it comes to managing her diabetes. “When we travel, and before we get on the airplane and Simone is picking up her junk to snack on the plane, she will pick up things for me — but she will make sure that they’re healthy options that she’s choosing for me so that I could also have something to snack on,” Nellie mentioned, illustrating Simone’s consideration for her dietary needs.
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Nellie admires Simone’s disciplined approach to her sport, and applies that to her own health management. “I will say that what I admire is the fact Simone is consistent and she’s dedicated to her sport. So, when I’m watching her, I can see that she is achieving her goal with that dedication and with that consistency,” Nellie explained. “So I sort of try to mirror that with what I do in terms of my lifestyle to make sure that I myself am also consistent — with my eating habits and my exercise, with making sure that I follow up and consult with my physician to make sure that I again achieve my goals, which would be to maintain my A1C level.”
Simone Biles: A Supportive Daughter
While type 2 diabetes has a presence in Nellie Biles’ family history, it’s crucial to remember that Nellie is Simone’s adoptive mother. Simone was adopted in 2001 by Nellie and her paternal grandfather, Ron Biles. Simone’s biological mother, Shanon Biles, Ron’s daughter, was unable to care for her at the time.
Simone has openly expressed gratitude towards her adoptive parents. “My parents saved me. They’ve set huge examples of how to treat other people, and they’ve been there to support me since day one. There’s nothing I could say to them to thank them enough,” Simone shared when discussing her adoption story on Dancing With the Stars in 2017. This highlights the close and supportive relationship she has with Nellie and Ron Biles.
In conclusion, Simone Biles does not have diabetes. The rumors originated from her appearance in a commercial for Mounjaro, supporting her adoptive mother Nellie Biles’ journey with type 2 diabetes and raising awareness about diabetes management options. Simone’s involvement is a testament to her support for her mother and the broader diabetes community, not an indication of a personal diagnosis.
