"I know what I like and I know what I want" - When Simone Biles opened up on not being 'scared' of messaging Jonathan Owens for first time

Olympic gymnastics icon Simone Biles once shared the details of how she matched her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, on the dating app Raya. Biles said that she took the initiative, sending a message to Owens on the platform without hesitation.

Biles and Owens matched on Raya in 2020, just before the COVID pandemic, and the latter remarked that he wasn't aware of who she was at the time, which drew scrutiny from her. Their bond grew stronger during the pandemic as both were away from their professional pursuits, which allowed them to spend more time with each other.

They shared the news of being together through an Instagram post in August of the same year. After dating for two years, the American athletic duo got engaged on February 15, 2022. Biles shared the exciting news with her fans on Instagram, captioning the post "THE EASIEST YES." In April of the following year, Biles and Owens tied the knot at a courthouse ceremony.

"I do, officially Owens," Biles captioned her wedding post on Instagram.

Eight months after their wedding, the 27-year-old gymnast discussed how she confidently initiated their relationship by messaging Owens after matching with his profile on the dating app. Here's what she said: (via The Pivot Podcast in December 2023)

"We matched, I was just the first to message as soon as I clicked oooh I like him. So he had already liked my profile. I know what I like and I know what I want," Biles said [14:00 onwards].

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"He was trying to do as much as he could" - Simone Biles on how Jonathan Owens supported her through a challenging time after the Tokyo Olympics

Simone Biles and Jonathan Owes at the MLB: APR 13 Reds at White Sox (Source: Getty)

In 2021, Simone Biles announced her withdrawal from multiple events at her second Olympic appearance in Tokyo due to a case of twisties. Following that, the 11-time Olympic stated that Owens was there for her throughout the process. He not only encouraged her but also ensured she attended her therapy sessions on time.

"Post Tokyo, Jonathan was just like, I mean, he always has a good head on his shoulders, and he's like, 'You'll get back to where you were,' and made sure I was staying on top of my training," Biles said in her Netlix docuseries (as quoted by Today).

She added:

"He was making sure I was going to my therapy sessions and was trying to do as much as he could, without kind of being bossy, but he was really just like a shoulder to lean on because he saw like those dark times after Tokyo."

This year, Biles became the most decorated American Olympic gymnast after winning three gold medals and one silver at the Paris Olympics.