Three arenas, one gravitational pull. On the mat, Simone Biles makes the impossible look effortless; on hardwood, Caitlyn Clark tears through defenses; and on clay or hard court, Coco Gauff owns the court. All three share the same fearless swagger, Gen-Z candor, and a habit of cheering each other on. Biles once rallied behind Gauff, saying, “if @CocoGauff doesn’t win this we riot,” and more recently turned up courtside in Indiana, proclaiming, “EVERYONE WATCHES WOMENS SPORTS…my first of many WNBA games,” after Clark splashed yet another record-setting three. Those cross-sport shout-outs, plus a genuine admiration for each other’s mental health advocacy, have forged an unlikely sisterhood, and it sure feels like Simone keeps winning life, crowds, and now the kids, too. Kids??

That kid-powered verdict arrived at Saturday night’s Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in Santa Monica, where Biles slid through a sea of slime to snag the Favorite Female Sports Star blimp, edging fellow nominees Clark, Gauff, Angel Reese, Alex Morgan, Jordan Chiles, Naomi Osaka, and Sha’Carri Richardson. The 38-year-old ceremony, hosted by Grammy winner Tyla, handed out orange hardware across 35 categories, but none drew louder squeals than the three-way showdown between gymnastics royalty, basketball’s new ratings magnet, and tennis’s back-to-back Slam threat. Gauff and Clark may have walked away empty-handed, but Simone Biles was all smiles, so much so that she took to Instagram to share the joy with her fans.

Shortly after the show, Simone Biles shared a vibrant Instagram story that captured the full Nickelodeon energy: a bright green and orange background splashed with playful icons and bold text that read “YOUR 2025 WINNERS!” Right in the center was a glowing photo of Simone, framed in neon green with the official Kids’ Choice Awards badge beside her. Below, in bright yellow, it proudly declared, “FAVORITE FEMALE SPORTS STAR — SIMONE BILES.” Over it, Biles added a sweet thank-you message in a soft grey text box: “thanks to all the kids that voted for me 💕 love y’all so much!!!” —a small but heartfelt shoutout to the young fans who powered her win.

And while the blimp was in her hands, make no mistake, each finalist entered as a champion. Biles followed her three-gold Paris Olympics comeback by grabbing a record-tying fourth Laureus Sportswoman of the Year award this April, a nod to both athletic dominance and her mental-health trailblazing. Clark’s rookie WNBA season shattered attendance, TV, and merch records, capping a run that saw her named TIME’s 2024 Athlete of the Year while pulling NBA-level viewership to Fever broadcasts.

Gauff, meanwhile, completed an emotional loop in Paris by winning the 2025 French Open, crediting Biles for teaching her how to “push myself” through pressure-packed moments. So yes, Simone Biles took home the blimp, but the bigger win is the picture these three paint together: a multi-sport relay of inspiration. And yes, believe it or not, this marks Biles’s second time winning the award, back-to-back, no less.

Why Simone Biles is the hero kids can’t stop loving

From Olympic golds to Nickelodeon blimps, Simone Biles has found love from both judges and kids alike. Her first splash at the Kids’ Choice stage came back in 2016, when she snagged the Favorite Newcomer award at the Kids’ Choice Sports Awards, just as she was becoming a household name. Fast forward to 2019, and she was back in the mix with nominations for Favorite Gymnast and Favorite Female Athlete, but it was Alex Morgan who took home the top honor that year. Then came 2024, and that’s when the tide turned: at the Kids’ Choice Awards (the main show, not the sports edition), Simone was crowned Favorite Female Sports Star, beating out an A-list lineup that included Caitlin Clark, Coco Gauff, Venus Williams, and Alex Morgan. But why do kids love her?

Kids adore Simone Biles not just for her unbelievable flips but for the way she gives back, whether it’s hugging a fan after a meet or shining a spotlight on real-world issues. In February 2025, during her honeymoon in South Africa, Simone and her husband visited a daycare serving 87 children, handing out blankets and nutritional bars and sharing the joy on Instagram. As a long-time advocate for foster youth, she donated $50,000 in October 2024 to Friends of the Children and helped launch their Houston chapter. She also joined a Zoom session with hundreds of mentors and kids in May 2025, offering guidance and uplifting messages like “you are strong, brave, and one-of-a-kind.”

On top of that, she’s partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, granting dreams for children with critical illnesses and urging support during World Wish Month.  But Simone Biles has a knack for making dreams come true, for herself and for her young fans. In a heartwarming moment on The Talk in October 2024, she surprised a 5-year-old superfan named Nova via video call, and watching Nova’s joy as Simone appeared on screen, telling her, “You inspire me, too,” was pure magic. That’s just one of many times she’s reached out to fans.

Remember, during the Paris Olympics, Simone Biles saw a 5-year-old gymnast’s viral training video and cheerfully commented, “Get it girl!!!!” on Instagram, a boost that showed her genuine support. Whether she’s surprising someone on live TV or amplifying a kid’s confidence online, Simone’s warmth turns her into more than an athlete. She’s a mentor, a cheerleader, and a constant reminder to kids everywhere that they matter too. It’s why she remains one of the most popular and inspiring names among children.