Simone Biles’ estranged sister, Micah, defended their biological mother, Shanon Biles, on social media after people questioned her decision to seek a reunion with the famous gymnast.
In early August, Shanon, 52, spoke with Daily Mail, revealing her wish to reconnect with Simone after years of estrangement. Social media users quickly questioned Shannon’s motives, but Micah defended her, calling the concerns unfounded. In a TikTok video shared by the Neighborhood Talk on Aug. 23, Micah praised her mother for speaking out and expressed pride in her progress after years of struggling with drug and substance abuse.
“I want to come to this internet and defend my mom,” Micah told fans in her short video. “She might not be everything we expected her to be, but at the end of the day, she’s still a work in progress, and we give her that.”
What happened to Simone and her mother’s relationship?
Simone and her younger sister, Adria, were born in Columbus, Ohio. They were removed from Shanon’s care during childhood due to her struggles with drug addiction. After a difficult stint in the foster care system, the sister duo was adopted by Shanon’s father, Ronald, and his wife, Nellie. Micah, who faced similar challenges, revealed that she only reconnected with their mother at age 17 because of her ongoing battles with drug and substance abuse.
“Simone chose not to have a relationship with my mom, and that’s fine, that was her choice,” Micah continued. “I’m not going to let y’all get on this internet and bash my mom, or say anything bad, or anything of that sort because she’s not a bad person. She’s done nothing to Simone. Life happened to her. I’m not made at her. I understand. My mom has eight children….things happened.”
Simone Biles alongside her grandparents, Nellie and Ron Biles. Source: Emma McIntyre / Getty
Micah claimed Shanon had made multiple efforts to reconnect with Simone over the years while struggling with her drug and substance abuse battles.
Micah stated that her mother had made repeated efforts over the years to reconnect with Simone. However, she emphasized that her mother would not pressure Simone into a relationship until she is ready.
“And if Simone doesn’t want that relationship, she’s not going to push her,” she added.
In her interview with Daily Mail earlier this month, Shanon expressed awe at her daughter’s impressive success in gymnastics from a distance. She conveyed her eagerness to build a closer relationship with Simone, praying that her 27-year-old daughter would make the first step to reunite.
“It was hard to give up my kids, but I had to do what I had to do. I wasn’t able to care for them. I was still using and [my father] didn’t want me coming in and out of their lives when I wasn’t right,” the 52-year-old shared.
“I would like to make amends with Simone personally – I’m just waiting for her and [her younger sister] Adria. I speak to Adria more than I speak to Simone. I would just ask her to forgive me. Can we move forward? Don’t judge me on my past. Let’s move forward. I’m waiting for the opportunity but I’m waiting on her to be able to come to me. Let’s sit down. I just have to be patient.”
Although she’s devastated that she has missed out on key moments within Simone’s life such as her 2023 wedding with NFL star Jonathan Owens, Shanon has never stopped loving and celebrating the athlete from afar.
“I want to let her know that I love her. I’m very proud of her,” Shanon added in her Daily Mail interview.
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