Despite their good relationship, Simone Biles and Aly Raisman will never stay in the same room: “Never again”

Fame is fame. From Olympic glory to cherished behind-the-scenes moments, Simone Biles and Aly Raisman have been inseparable, partners in crime through thick and thin. Sharing the Olympic stage and having countless laughs, gossip sessions and more, Aly Raisman mentored Simone through her first Olympics, cementing their close bond. But the other side recently came to light when the Netflix documentary “Simone Biles: Rising,” released on July 17, offers a deeper look into their friendship. In the second episode, viewers see a heartwarming moment when Aly and Simone, both dressed in white bathrobes, enjoy some girly time while doing their makeup.

It all started when Simone Biles revealed all while getting her face contoured, saying: “When we shared a room…the one and only time we shared a room on Pan Am.” She continued by explaining: “Aly was so messy that we decided to never share a room again. Despite this, Simone added: “Actually, we got along well, we were really like big sisters. We loved each other, but we weren’t supposed to share the same room.

Aly Raisman chimed in, admitting that she was the messy one, to which Simone cheekily replied that she was the clean one. Aly laughed loudly and nodded, ” It’s exactly that. “ The two men then burst out laughing together. But how did their friendship begin? When did they first meet? As the saying goes: ““In meeting the idol, the idol finds his own idol.”

Their connection began in 2014, when Aly Raisman returned to training camp with her sights set on making the 2016 Olympic team. Floor exercise was her forte, but she quickly recognized that Simone Biles was a real contender. Aly admired Simone’s prowess and felt both challenged and inspired. Despite the competitive spirit, their friendship blossomed from the start. Simone, a longtime fan of Aly’s, had autographs and treasured memories of seeing Aly at the Classics and Championships in 2012.

But what drew Aly to Simone was that she was more insecure and tended to strive for perfection. But Simone had a knack for balancing seriousness with a playful spirit. They were very complementary. Then came the time to show off her skills, a litmus test for most gymnasts. It was Biles’ first Olympics (Rio 2016) and as Biles says, ““I had Aly at my first Olympics in Rio, she was the captain of the team. She showed me the ropes. It’s hard to even describe. When I felt nervous at my first Olympics, I had never been more prepared in my entire life.”

And finally, the moment of truth arrived, and Simone Biles delivered a performance that will go down in history. She led the United States to a gold medal in the team event, then won the individual all-around title. Biles dazzled on the floor and vault events, becoming the fifth female gymnast to win four gold medals at a single Olympics. She also won a bronze on the balance beam, bringing her medal total to five. Meanwhile, Aly Raisman also shone at the Rio Games, winning two silver medals and a gold. Fast forward to today. Are they still friends and compatriots from before?

Aly Raisman’s Legacy and Simone Biles’s Life-Changing Moment Are a Story Worth Telling

Aly Raisman retired from gymnastics in January 2020, but memories of her banter with Simone Biles live on. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Simone, then 19, affectionately called Raisman, who was 22 and the oldest of her teammates, “Grandma” because of her age. Despite Raisman’s retirement in 2020 at just 26 with six Olympic medals, their humorous exchanges remain a cherished part of their history.

In 2024, Biles finds herself in the same boat as Raisman. After earning her spot on the U.S. women’s Olympic gymnastics team on June 30, Biles, now 27, is one of the oldest competitors heading to Paris. Seizing the opportunity, she lightheartedly apologized to Raisman, reflecting on how she once criticized her as a “Grandmother.“It’s a full-circle moment that highlights how time flies and the connections that last beyond the gym.

“So now I absolutely have to apologize to Aly for calling her Grandma because, phew, I feel like I’m a lot older now than when we called her Grandma when we were younger,” Biles said at the June 30 press conference. As she heads into the Paris Olympics with seven Olympic medals already, she is now the oldest among her teammates, stepping into the shoes of the “Grandmother” she once joked, proving that age is just a number.

Their camaraderie shines through, proving that their enduring friendship and relationship endures over time. As they laugh and grow closer, it’s clear that these two are made of the same cloth, sharing not only triumphs but also tender moments of everyday life.