These Photos From Simone Biles’s SI Swimsuit Debut in Houston Are Totally Unbelievable

The Olympian brought her skills to Texas for her first brand feature.

Simone Biles was photographed by James Macari in Houston, Texas.James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Simone Biles is well-known for her performances in the gym: on the floor, the uneven bars and the balance beam. What the gymnast is perhaps less known for is her impressive skills in front of a camera. 

The Olympic athlete has appeared in the SI Swimsuit Issue twice now. Both times she proved to the world that her talents extend beyond the gym, posing for absolutely breathtaking photos on the set of both her 2017 and 2019 photo shoots.

The choice to include Biles—and her former USA gymnastics teammate Aly Raisman—was a simple one. “Aly and Simone represent all that is beautiful and strong and inspiring in women today,” editor in chief MJ Day said at the time. “Women that are not only elite athletes, that are captivating and impressive in their own professional accomplishments (lots and lots of Olympic gold medals between them), but strikingly sexy and beautiful in front of photographer James Macari's lens.”

There’s no doubt, when both headed to Houston for their SI Swimsuit debuts, they brought their characteristic beauty and strength and put it on display. 

So striking, in fact, were their first features that both earned secondary photo shoots in the years to come. Biles headed to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in 2019, posing in a more traditional SI Swimsuit destination for her second feature.

But we’re still caught up on her first brand appearance. Not only did the athlete bring her beauty, but she brought her skill, too. Below are a few of the incredible snaps of Biles showing her strength in Houston.

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated