Simone Biles Opens Up About Emotional Impact of the Public’s Reaction to Husband Jonathan Owens’ Viral “The Catch” Remark

Simone Biles is speaking out about her husband Jonathan Owens‘ viral 2023 interview, admitting that the backlash took a toll on her mental health.

During a new episode of “Call Her Daddy With Alex Cooper,” the Olympic gymnast recounted how she initially found humor in the situation but later felt the impact of public scrutiny.

In a December 2023 interview on “The Pivot” podcast, Owens, a safety for the Green Bay Packers, casually mentioned he didn’t recognize Biles when they first met and joked about being “the catch” in their relationship. These remarks led to a swift backlash online, with some suggesting Biles should reconsider her marriage.

“I thought everything was OK, and then I go on Twitter and everybody’s like, ‘Divorce this man. He’s mean!'” Biles said. “I’m like, ‘He’s the sweetest. He praises the ground that I walk on.’ Truly, I’ve never met a man like him,” she defended Owens, clarifying his intent behind the viral comment. “He never said I wasn’t a catch. He said he was a catch. Because he is!”

As the reactions became more intense, the initial feeling of amusement slowly turned into discomfort. “I thought it was hilarious what all these people were saying, ‘Divorce him, divorce him’… I thought it was hilarious at first and then it hurt my feelings,” she admitted. Distressed by the negative attention towards her husband, Biles expressed, “One night I broke down and I’m like, ‘Why are you guys talking about my husband like this? You don’t know him. You don’t know who he is and if anybody’s met him, you know he’s the sweetest guy, will do anything for anybody.’ That really hurt that they were talking about my husband like that. For me, it’s like, talk about me all you want, but don’t come for my family, never.”

Biles also shared insights into their early relationship dynamics and Owens’ playful confidence, which she found endearing. “He could do everything, and that cracked me up about him. So I couldn’t wait to meet him so I could be like, ‘You’re not funny. You’re not a good cook,'” she joked. She expressed excitement about bringing Owens to the 2024 Paris Olympics, partly to playfully challenge his belief that football is the hardest sport.

Reflecting on their strong connection, Biles recalled the certainty she felt after their first date. “The first time I met him I came home from our date and said, ‘I’m going to marry him.’ I don’t know why I said that. I don’t know what it is. But I just felt something,” she shared.

The couple, who married in 2023, navigated the complexities of a long-distance relationship after Owens signed with the Packers. “Now he’s back home. Now we’re getting into the groove of things,” Biles added, appreciating the balance between their professional and personal lives.

This interview marks one of the first times Biles has openly addressed the public reaction to her husband’s remarks.