We’ve all had that moment where we spot a celebrity, and it feels like a rush of excitement, right? You want to grab a quick selfie, chat for a moment, and then move on with your day. But what happens when that excitement goes way too far? That’s exactly what happened when Simone Biles found herself in an awkward and uncomfortable situation after a flight from the Kentucky Derby. What should have been a simple moment turned into a serious breach of her privacy, making us all stop and think: where’s the line between fan admiration and outright harassment? So, here’s what went down.

Darin Zoccali, a Thoroughbred Racehorse Owner with @thoroughcrowd and an employee at CDI, shared his experience on X, where he mentioned being on the same flight as Simone. After a brief chat about the “Rider’s Up” call, things seemed totally fine. BDW, Biles participated in the event by delivering the traditional “Riders Up” call, a ceremonial announcement made before the race begins. This role is typically assigned to a notable figure and has been previously performed by celebrities such as Martha Stewart and Patrick Mahomes. But the real drama started at Newark Airport.

Zoccali witnessed a family approaching Simone Biles at baggage claim and basically harassing her for autographs. They didn’t just want a quick signature—they were asking her to personalize items, including her iconic Sports Illustrated cover. As he mentioned, “It looked like her Sports Illustrated magazine cover and something else. I don’t understand, how did they know what plane she would be on? Scary.” What made it worse? Zoccali couldn’t figure out how this family knew which flight Simone was on. They had tracked her down, and that’s not just fandom; it’s bordering on stalking.

So, here’s the burning question: When does excitement for a celebrity go from innocent admiration to full-blown privacy invasion? Everyone’s excited when they spot a star, but there’s a point when pushing for autographs in such an intrusive way becomes uncomfortable. But, this ain’t the first time such a thing happened to Simone Biles.

Simone Biles drawing the line between fame and self-care

Simone Biles has been refreshingly open about how overwhelming fan attention can be, especially when it becomes intense and intrusive. In her Netflix docuseries Simone Biles: Rising, she shared that being mobbed by fans for photos makes her feel anxious, admitting, “That always scares me.” While she understands the attention is part of her fame, it still triggers feelings of nervousness.

During the 2024 Paris Olympics, she shared how much therapy helped her manage that stress, explaining, “I started off with therapy this morning. That was super exciting,” before helping Team USA win gold in the women’s team event.  Despite the pressure, Biles worked hard on maintaining a healthy mental state in Paris. She was seen meditating before competitions, taking time to ground herself, and even opting to stay away from crowded areas in the Olympic Village due to anxiety.

In a candid TikTok, Simone Biles shared, “The first day we got here, and I got to the cafeteria, and a lot of people were asking me for photos, like, nonstop. And whenever I sat down to eat, my anxiety was so bad, I was shaking.” Rather than dealing with the pressure, she chose to stock up on food and eat privately in her room, prioritizing her mental health over the crowds.

Though Biles deeply appreciates the love and support of her fans, calling them her “family,” she’s also learned to set boundaries for her own well-being. This willingness to set boundaries has made her more confident and comfortable in her own skin. Overall, Biles’ openness about therapy, meditation, and prioritizing mental health not only helps her perform at the highest level but also sends a powerful message that mental health is just as important as physical health.