Simone Biles Pursues Emmy Gold with Netflix’s ‘Rising’

Simone Biles Aims for Emmy Gold with Netflix’s ‘Rising’

With three gold medals and a silver from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Simone Biles has solidified her status as the GOAT of gymnastics. Now, the most-decorated gymnast in history is on the hunt for more gold — this time, an Emmy. Netflix recently hosted a Simone Biles Rising FYC event at Stella restaurant in West Hollywood, where Biles and series director Katie Walsh mingled with several Television Academy members before enjoying an intimate dinner.

Documentary Journey and Emmy Nomination

The docuseries, nominated for Best Documentary or Nonfiction Series at the 2025 Emmys, chronicles Biles’ journey following her withdrawal from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to the “twisties,” a dangerous mental block that affects gymnasts midair. Four years later, in Paris, she reclaimed her spot atop the podium — but not without a scare. During the qualification round, Biles suffered a calf injury that threatened her quest for more gold. Ultimately, she pushed through the pain to secure gold in the women’s team event, individual all-around, and vault, along with a silver in floor exercise.

Industry Accolades and Personal Reflections

The project has already garnered industry accolades, including a PGA Award for Best Sports Program and two Critics Choice Documentary Awards for Best Sports Documentary and Best Limited Documentary Series.

Speaking with Gold Derby ahead of the dinner, Biles described the Emmy nomination as “surreal.”

“I couldn’t believe it, and I don’t think I processed what they were actually telling me until afterwards,” she recalled. “They worked so hard to portray this film as close to my life as possible. I was shocked — but I would’ve been more shocked if we didn’t do it.”

Behind the Scenes: The Emotional Journey

Walsh shared her emotional reaction upon hearing the news. “I took a deep breath and found myself getting teared up,” she said. “This project has been so special because Simone is so special. I couldn’t ask for a better person to go through this with.”

While Biles possesses numerous Olympic medals, the Emmy race presents a new kind of competition. When asked if she’d swap one of her medals for a golden statuette, she laughed, “Unfortunately, I would not swap one of my medals, but I would love to add to the collection.”

Filming the Road to Paris

Filming the road to Paris — including the injury scare — required care and trust. Walsh recalled the tension of waiting for test results in the Olympic village. “At one point, I sat for three hours next to a giant dumpster, waiting to hear if Simone was okay,” she said. “It was so hot, and we were so stressed. But every day, rules changed on whether we could even be there, so we stayed calm and adapted.”

Biles noted that having the crew around during those high-pressure moments was comforting. “They’re like family now,” she said. “I didn’t really see the cameras — I saw them as supporters, part of my support system. Since my family couldn’t be there, it was nice knowing Katie was coming that day.”

Addressing Misconceptions and Sharing Stories

Walsh emphasized that one of the goals of Rising was to address the misconceptions surrounding Biles after Tokyo. “There were so many voices criticizing Simone who didn’t understand her experience,” Walsh explained. “We wanted to educate people and show that while you may not relate to flipping through the air, everyone has struggles in their life.”

For Biles, Netflix’s global reach made it the ideal platform for such a personal project. “Behind the scenes, people don’t get that inside view,” she said. “We wanted to take them through the whole process — the good days and the bad days — and make it feel real and raw. And with Netflix being global, it means everyone has the opportunity to watch.”

The Intense Editing Process

The Paris chapters were particularly intense for Walsh, who was editing episodes in real time while traveling. “Every day we filmed, then at night we uploaded footage to L.A., gave notes, and got new cuts the next morning,” she said. “I set up an office in the back of a production van because traffic was crazy. I slept, but I never rested for three and a half weeks.”

Inspiring Future Generations

Biles has since developed an interest in producing and hopes other athletes will share their stories. “Elite athletes, what we do isn’t normal,” she said. “When you watch, you feel that connection through the screen. I’d love to do more of this and tell other athletes’ stories.”

Her advice to the next generation of athletes is simple yet profound: “Always be brave. Always be kind because you never know what people are going through behind the scenes. It’s okay to take a break, to pause, to recollect your thoughts … to rise again. Everyone’s journey is unique. Go out there and write your own story.”