Simone Biles turned heads at the 2025 Kentucky Derby — but not everyone was impressed. The Olympic gold medalist arrived at Churchill Downs over the weekend alongside her husband, NFL safety Jonathan Owens, and their matching lilac outfits quickly became a hot topic online.
The couple attended the iconic horse racing event in Louisville, Kentucky, dressed in coordinated pastel looks. Biles wore a strapless mini dress in soft lilac, adorned with shimmering purple rhinestones.
She completed the bold ensemble with silver heels and a dramatic fascinator, which sat neatly atop her sleek hairstyle. Owens, now playing for the Chicago Bears, matched her look with a light purple suit.
While some fans praised their stylish coordination, others criticized the outfit choice — particularly Biles’ dress — for being out of step with the Derby’s traditionally elegant dress code.
“I’m not liking this look on them,” one user commented on social media, while another wrote, “Inappropriate dress for race… sounded strange.”
Some responses were more pointed, with users calling the mini dress “not classy” and saying Biles should have dressed more “sophisticated.” One harsh comment even claimed the decorated gymnast had “no class at all.”
Despite the criticism, Biles and Owens stood by their style choice, revealing that their matching look came from a place of shared creativity. “Jonathan actually chose the purple,” Biles told reporters during their red carpet appearance, offering fans a glimpse into how the couple approached their Derby-day fashion.
Simone Biles Delivers Iconic “Riders Up” Call
Fashion aside, Biles also played a significant ceremonial role during the event. Continuing a time-honored Kentucky Derby tradition, she was invited to deliver the legendary “Riders up!” call — a phrase that signals jockeys to mount their horses before the big race.
The moment was a proud one for Biles, who smiled and waved to the crowd before confidently stepping up for her role, blending elegance and athletic poise in front of thousands of spectators.
