An aura so strong, it can make minds turn? Well, UCLA gymnastics has that kind of dominance. And this time, not just any gymnast, a U.S. National team member, probably got swayed by it. Imagine: just 2 years back, this gymnast compiled Google documents, listing the pros and cons of different American schools. And out of them all, Michigan was a clear winner. But one season of Jordan Chiles leading the Bruins from the forefront is all it’s taken for the gymnastics icon to switch sides. So is it official? You bet it is!

We’re talking about none other than Ashlee Sullivan, the Team USA gymnast who committed to Michigan back in 2023. One official visit to the Ann Arbor campus, and it was love at first sight for her. But, “The selling point for me was the girls on the team,” she had said. Of course, having worthy teammates is a criterion that has always affected Sullivan. No wonder this time, she’s leaving back her “just so genuine” peers at Michigan to be with Jordan Chiles & Co. at UCLA.

On May 10, Ashlee Sullivan added a post on her Instagram, posing in a UCLA leotard while confirming her switch to the side, “okay, for real this time 🧸 I’m so excited to announce that I’ll be continuing my athletic and academic journey at UCLA on full athletic scholarship!”  She further wrote, “forever grateful to Janelle, BJ, Mark, Lacy, and all of the girls on the team for welcoming me with open arms and to my Metroplex family for all the love and support. 4s up baby 💙💛,” along with images of her posing with the UCLA coaches right in that carousel!

And as soon as Ashlee Sullivan announced this switch, several UCLA gymnasts chimed in to welcome her. Chae Campbell commented, “YAY Ashley!! I’m so happy for you!” Another star Bruin, Brooklyn Moors, rallied in with a hearty response, “YAY!!!” But the biggest shoutout? It came straight from the gymnast Jordan Chiles’ mother, Gina Chiles. “Let’s GOOOOOO!!” commented Gina, indicating her ecstasy at the addition of yet another gymnast to Jordan Chiles’ UCLA gymnastics family!

However, this turn of tide will rightly be a career-defining step for Sullivan’s future. Especially since it notably comes at a time when the gymnast is in great form. Yes, Ashlee Sullivan won the All-Around title at the recent 2025 Winter Cup and also medaled on beam and floor. The same goes for UCLA, who lifted the Big 10 Gymnastics Championships title this year, and ended in the runner-up spot this NCAA Championships season. So, both the gymnast and the team should be on the same page when it comes to the winning momentum this season.

But, yes, some might truly find it shocking, considering how deeply excited Ashlee Sullivan had sounded about Michigan. Yet, the signs had started to show up. Some were just late in picking up the signals.

Joining Jordan Chiles was no sudden call for Sullivan

Everything seemed to be going fine till February 2025, when Sullivan won the all-around title at the Winter Cup despite a concerning health condition, and Michigan proudly rolled out a post for their commit. “Congrats to future Wolverine Ashlee Sullivan….” they wrote, affirming that all was good up to that point.

But some fans noted around March that Ashlee Sullivan had dropped her Michigan commitment from her Instagram bio and taken down her relevant posts about it. That’s when the possibility of a reconsideration shot up. However, joining the 2024 Paris Olympics star Jordan Chiles at UCLA? No one ever saw this coming, especially with how content Ashlee had always sounded about Michigan.

But there were some signs. “It wasn’t like an immediate 100%,” Inside Gymnastics documented Ashlee Sullivan’s reaction on finalizing Michigan as her future home. As is rightly visible, she took her time making that call. However, something swayed her mind in 2025. Maybe it was UCLA gymnastics’ flawless performance this NCAA season. Or Jordan Chiles’ perfect 10 streak. Who knows. Only Sullivan can clarify that… but she’s silent for now, relishing the moment. What do you think about this?