Priyanka Chopra calls Simone Biles ‘truly the GOAT’ after she withdraws from Tokyo Olympics: ‘It’s ok to be human’

Actor Priyanka Chopra has shared her old interview with gymnast Simone Biles, who recently withdrew from the ongoing Tokyo Olympics citing mental health issues.

Taking to Instagram, Priyanka Chopra dropped a video clip of her interaction with Simone Biles. The clip is from her YouTube Originals Special, If I Could Tell You Just One Thing. In the video, the duo is seen in a playground as they discuss the issues Simone deals with.

In the interview, Priyanka asked her about ‘the expectation of always kind of being perfect’. Simone replied, “I feel like that’s the hardest part of my career. I don’t want to say job because I chose to do it, but I feel like always meeting people’s needs, every single day, all the time is probably the hardest thing that I go through.”

+

Priyanka then asked her if it crushes her when she fails to meet the expectations and pressure. Simone replied, “Yes. I feel like if I don’t meet their needs and I failed. Even at the Olympics everybody wanted me to win six golds or this or that and I didn’t meet those needs and I was really down on myself especially after the beam. Even though I still medalled, everyone was like, ‘Well, what the heck is a bronze?’.”

Priyanka interjected her, “What? After you won four golds?” Simone said, “Yeah, they weren’t satisfied.” She continued, “But it’s four inches wide. It’s like, it’s scary.”

Speaking on dealing with pressure, she said, “Therapy. Therapy is everything. I feel like nowadays if you say you’re going to therapy nobody questions it anymore. But before if I said ‘I’m going to therapy’, ‘well are you going to a cuckoo doctor?’.”

Sharing the clip, Priyanka Chopra captioned it, “Role model, Champion… @simonebiles I had the joy of getting to know @simonebiles a few years ago, and she blew me away then with her vulnerability and self awareness. Simone, yesterday we were reminded why you are truly the GOAT, and why nothing supersedes taking care of ourselves…body AND mind. I cannot fathom the impossible pressure you all perform under, but knowing where you need to draw the line and step away – TO CHOOSE YOURSELF – is most important. Only when we are okay can we perform at our best, and enjoy doing so.”

“Thank you for helping normalise that even under tremendous pressure, it’s ok to be human. Thank you for your courage and strength. You are a role model, and just like the rest of the world I’m so inspired and awed by you. Once again you have shown us what it truly means to be a champion. Sending (red heart emoji),” she added.

Also Read | Navya Naveli Nanda responds to fan’s ‘try in Bollywood’ comment: ‘Beautiful women can run businesses too’

Priyanka is currently in London for the shoot of her upcoming web series Citadel. The Amazon-backed project is being executive produced by the Russo Brothers. Game of Thrones star Richard Madden is also a part of it. Apart from this, Priyanka will also be seen in Matrix 4. A few months ago, she had launched her memoir, Unfinished.