Mon Oct 28 02:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Simone Biles Defends Husband Jonathan Owens Against Fan Backlash
**HOUSTON, TX** – Olympic gymnast Simone Biles has come to the defense of her husband, NFL star Jonathan Owens, after he faced criticism from fans for comments he made on a podcast.
Biles, in the second part of her Netflix docuseries “Simone Biles Rising,” addressed the backlash Owens received after he implied he was the “catch” in their relationship during an interview on The Pivot podcast in December 2023. Owens also sparked controversy when he revealed he had never heard of Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, when they first matched on the dating app Raya in 2020.
Biles defended her husband, stating that his comments were “taken out of context.” She expressed frustration at how her fans, who seemingly became Owens’ biggest critics, lashed out at him on social media, with many even calling him “Mr. Biles.”
“Who’s going to go to somebody’s (social media) profile and say who you can and can’t love? That’s just ridiculous,” Biles said. “They equate our love to the amount of trophies and medals and accolades that I have, and that’s not how you measure love.”
Owens also opened up about the pain the backlash caused him, comparing the experience to having your relationship criticized behind your back. “We’re all human at the end of the day, regardless of what your job is,” he said.
Biles attributes the harsh criticism to fans having a “false sense of reality,” believing they know the famous people they follow, which makes them feel comfortable commenting on their personal lives. She also emphasizes the mental toll this can have, especially during an Olympic year.
Despite initially dismissing the criticism with humor, Biles later admitted that the backlash against Owens deeply affected her. She revealed that the negativity made her cry and she wondered why people felt entitled to criticize her husband without knowing him.
Biles’ defense of her husband highlights the growing concern about online harassment and the need for fans to be mindful of the impact their words can have on the individuals they follow.
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