If there are two people on this planet who know anything and everything about getting to the top — and staying there — it’s Beyoncé and Simone Biles. Ahead of the Stateside airing of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics women’s gymnastics all-around finals (Aug. 1), NBC has released a new commercial honoring Biles, narrated by Queen Bey herself.
“Let’s talk about power. Because, really, that’s what this story’s about,” Beyoncé begins. “Physical power: its beauty, its wonder. The way it never stops amazing you. Then there’s spiritual power, the kind that really matters. The power you can’t see, only sense. The power you need in those moments when life goes a little sideways on you. And, of course, lasting power. Only a select few know what it feels like to get to the top and stay there. And, somehow, keep getting better.”
The emotional commercial traces Biles’ legendary career, from home footage of her practicing back flips to past Olympic victories. Beyoncé’s narration praises not just Biles talent and athleticism, but also her resilience. When the 32-time Grammy winner mentions life going “a little sideways on you,” she’s alluding to the infamous “twisties” — a temporary loss of air awareness while performing twisting elements — that tragically caused Biles to withdraw from the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Biles’ perseverance carried her from that shocking hiatus to a historic showing at this summer’s Games.
In Paris, Biles represented the United States alongside teammates Jordan Chiles, Sunisa Lee, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera, becoming the fourth American female artistic gymnast to compete at three Olympic Games. Ahead of their individual events, Biles led Team USA to the gold medal for the team event.
With this new commercial, Beyoncé marks her second appearance during this year’s Olympics. The pop icon introduced Team USA during the Opening Ceremony with a reworked version of “Ya Ya,” a song from her Billboard 200-topping Cowboy Carter LP that peaked at No. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another Cowboy Carter track soundtracks the Biles commercial: the Willie Jones-assisted “Just for Fun,” which reached No. 59 on the Hot 100. Given that Biles is a fellow Black woman from Texas, it’s no surprise that Beyoncé lent her voice to uplifting the only U.S. gymnast to win six Olympic gold medals.
“Simone Biles inspires me and I’m pretty sure she inspires you too,” Beyoncé continued. “Such confidence in her strength, such beauty in her power, such a great lesson in her story. Brilliance, it doesn’t come easy. Gold can be a hell of a journey. And the greatest of all time is willing to put that title on the line every time she walks out there. Take your best shot, world. She’s ready for you.”
Although NBC and Peacock will air the women’s gymnastics all-around finals tonight at 8 p.m. ET, the event has already taken place in Paris. Biles took home the gold in the all-arounds, becoming the first U.S. Olympic gymnast in history to win two all-around gold medals (2016 and 2024). Lee — who won the gold medal in 2020 — took home the bronze medal, making her and Biles the first U.S. Olympic gymnasts to earn multiple all-around medals.
Watch the new Beyoncé-narrated Simone Biles commercial below.
