Well, tonight, the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles lights up for the 2025 ESPY Awards, where the sports world celebrates its brightest stars. Simone Biles, fresh off her dazzling Paris 2024 haul of three golds and a silver, is a top contender for Best Athlete in Women’s Sports. She’s up against track sensations Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabby Thomas, plus WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, who’s chasing her second ESPY in the category after winning in 2024. The stage is set for a thrilling night, but one moment’s already stealing the show on the red carpet. Guess who’s grabbing headlines before the ceremony even starts?

Enter Mikaela Shiffrin, alpine skiing legend, and her heartwarming reunion with Biles, captured in a now-viral Instagram Story. Shiffrin, the 2023 ESPY winner for Best Female Athlete, shared a selfie snapped by her fiancé, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, featuring the trio grinning ear to ear. The post, radiating pure joy, shows Shiffrin and Biles crowned with GOAT emojis, fitting for two Olympic titans with a combined 17 medals.

But here’s the kicker: Kilde, a two-time Olympic medalist himself, got a playful sloth emoji slapped on his chest. Talk about a hilarious diss from his own fiancée! How did this iconic trio end up in such a fun moment?

Shiffrin’s Instagram Story, posted from the ESPYs’ glitzy backdrop, perfectly captures their bond. The GOAT emojis nod to Biles’ gymnastics dominance and Shiffrin’s record-breaking 101 World Cup wins, including her historic 87th victory in 2023 that surpassed Ingemar Stenmark’s record. Kilde, currently recovering from a 2024 injury, leaned into the humor, embracing the sloth label despite his own stellar career.

Their chemistry shines through, with Shiffrin and Kilde’s engagement (announced April 2024) adding a personal touch to the star-studded snap. It’s a reminder of how these athletes lift each other up, even with a cheeky twist. Will this playful moment steal the spotlight at tonight’s awards?

As the ESPYs unfold, Shiffrin and Biles’ friendship, forged through shared Olympic pressures and mutual respect, takes center stage. Kilde’s sloth emoji might just be the night’s best cameo, proving even champions can laugh at themselves. Who’ll take home the ESPY tonight, and will this trio’s vibe set the tone? Meanwhile, Biles has something else to celebrate too.

“Simone Biles’ ‘Rising’ Documentary scores prime-time Emmy nod for Olympic Glory

The sports world is buzzing, as Simone Biles Rising, the gripping Netflix documentary series, snags a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award in the Outstanding Documentary (Series) category at the 77th Emmy Awards. Following the seven-time Olympic champion’s journey to the Paris 2024 Games, this series, produced with the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Channel Services by Religion of Sports, delivers an intimate look at Biles’ unparalleled career. From her jaw-dropping 11 Olympic medals to her courageous stand on mental health, it’s a story that hits hard. How does a gymnast redefine greatness?

The series dives deep into Biles’ life, capturing her record-breaking feats, like her four golds at Rio 2016, and her bold withdrawal from Tokyo 2020 to prioritize mental health. Available globally on Netflix, Simone Biles Rising showcases her advocacy for athlete wellbeing, making her a trailblazer beyond the mat. The nomination feels like a nod to her resilience and influence. Can a documentary capture the full weight of her legacy?

As the Emmys approach, Biles’ story stands tall among the best in storytelling. This nomination celebrates not just her athletic dominance but her courage to speak out. Will Simone Biles Rising take home the Emmy gold?