Simone Biles biological mom speaks out

Aug 10, 2016

Simone Biles’ biological mother, Shannon Biles, doesn’t appreciate being characterized as a drug addict by her parents, who adopted Simone.

“I feel like they’re defaming my character,” Simone said.

–Simone Biles wins gymnastic gold

Her story has been told several times: she had to put her children into foster care after she struggled with her addictions. But Shannon claims to have been sober since 2007, and she doesn’t appreciate being depicted otherwise, especially by her father.

“I feel like he didn’t have to be so harsh about it,” she told TMZ. “He didn’t have to be so harsh about it. He could’ve been a little bit more classy with it. He didn’t have to put me under the bus.”

She admitted that she had a rift with her father because of the adoption as he cut her out of her children’s lives.

–Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas headline US Gymnastics team for Rio Games

“When we signed the [adoption] papers, it was like my dad flipped a switch on me – no communication, don’t call, and don’t visit. That’s how it was at the beginning,” she said. “It took me six years before I saw my children again. I was respecting my Dad to let the kids’ transition, he felt that was the best thing for them. It was hard to give up my kids but I had to do what I had to, I wasn’t able to care for them. I was still using and he didn’t want me coming in and out of their lives when I wasn’t right.”

Now, Shannon is simply proud of her daughter.

“I just want to say I love you, Simone,” she said in a video to Simone. “I’m so proud of you! Go Team USA and I’ll talk to you and see you when I can!”

–Simone Biles wins 3rd straight World Gymnastics Championship,