Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph the legendary Simone Biles. Simone came to visit the Lower Eastside Girls Club as part of her partnership with SK-II in their “Vs.” series. The incredibly talented and hardworking Olympian chatted with the girls in our program before her event in Times Square. (You can see her interview with E! from that, here!) SK-II and Simone have partnered to help battle toxic beauty standards and fight against expectations that are placed upon us, especially women. The Olympic champion talked to our girls about loving their bodies, self esteem, and working hard.
Knowing that someone as strong, intelligent, and accomplished as Simone Biles has also had her share of insecurities, was a grounding experience. It felt affirming as an adult, so I can only imagine the impact it must’ve had on our middle school aged girls. Her tenacity that drives her to keep going and ignore the negative comments and judgments, and to love and respect her body for the strength and capabilities it has, is a truly important lesson. Simone iterated that beauty is #NoCompetition, and that you shouldn’t hold yourselves to others’ standards, something I would like us all to remember a little more often.