Its like a ritual, the 21-year-oldGlamourWoman of the Year says over Zoom from her apartment in Minnesota.
Jordan Chiles must have forgotten that part of her Olympic Village roommates routine.
She was like, Im gonna go get Simone.
Lea Winkler
Yes,Simone Biles.
you gotta walk around like youre the reigning Olympic champion, and you gotta own it.
Being at the Olympics really made me fall back in love with the sport, she says.
Gucci cardiganandshorts,Jenny Bird earrings
She went to a doctor and was told it could be allergies.
I gained over 45 pounds in a span of, like, two weeks, she says.
I wasnt able to go to the bathroom.
Live the Process shrug,Alo top,Splits59 pants,Salomon x Sandy Liang sneakers
I couldnt bend my legs because they were so swollen, and my fingers too.
My eyes were almost swollen shut.
I was like, Something is happening.
Lea Winkler
Suddenly Lees dreams of an Olympic redemption tourher wordsfelt impossible.
She moved back from Auburn University to recover in her hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota.
She began therapy, journaled, spent time with her family and new puppy Bean.
Tory Burch dress,PH5 shorts,Alo socks
My coach would be like, No, youre this Suni, and youre a better Suni.
Outside the gym, Lee says, her sisters pushed her the most.
Lee became her stepfather, and her parents had three more children together.
Philosophy top,Rui skirt,Maguire shoes,Comme Si socks,Jenny Bird bracelet,Kara Yoo earrings
Suni chose to take his last name when she was a teenager.
There was a time when I was really, really down bad, Lee says.
There were times when I said, Sera, I dont think Im gonna make the Olympics.
Philosophy dress
Shes like, No, I know you are.
Of course, it wasnt a straight shot from bed rest to an Olympic training regimen.
At least, thats the story of record.
Live the Process top andbodysuit
She was getting tired fast, practices were getting harder, and her body was swelling up again.
I was able to do everything that I was supposed to do.
And then I went on TikTok, and I made one myself.
Carbon38 top,FP Movement bodysuit,Maguire shoes,Comme Si socks
When Simone Biles was battlingher own anxietyin the Olympic Village, Lee would run interference with other competitors.
Everyone wants Simone, she tells me.
You would think being an athlete, they would understand, but they didnt.
Taraji P. Henson, Suni Lee, Aly Raisman, and Charlotte Lawrence at the Jonathan Simkhai show during New York Fashion Week
So we would be the ones [telling them], Shes not doing any pictures right now.
We had her back.
Shes very quiet in the gym, so we would try and crack jokes.
Lee at the Tommy Hilfiger fashion show during New York Fashion Week
Im like, you could laugh a little in the gym.
It doesnt have to be serious all the time.
It helped me appreciate every aspect of my first Olympics experience and recognize how special it was.
Rickey Thompson and Lee at the Off-White fashion show in New York.
She is not only a mentor to me but a friend.
Chiles is now appealing the decision.)
Philosophy dress
On her final dayof Olympic competition, Lee fell during her beam routine.
Lea Winkler
I was so sad.
And then I went on TikTok, and Imade one myself.
I can make fun of myself because at the end of the day, its just a competition.
Im at such a better place in my life, not even just physically but mentally.
Its all about perspective.
I didnt even think that I was going to be here.
Not many people get to come here twice and compete with the best of the best.
I just felt absolutely amazing.
Lets count them, shall we?
Two golds, one silver, and three bronze.
People are like, You shouldnt be happy.
Its a bronze medal, she says, referring to her ranking in this years Olympic all-arounds.
But Im like, You dont know what Ive had to go through to get this freaking bronze medal.
Are your medals all packed up for New York?
Theyre nottheyre in their boxes just off camera.
The top box turns out to hold her Team USA gold medal from Parisher proudest achievement.
Her next great challenge is more relatable than another gold medal.
I dont know anybody in New York.
So yeah, Im scared.
Celebs like Olivia Wilde will bestarstruck in her presence.
Other than that, who knows?
She answers her own question.
Shes fun, shes energetic, outgoing, very brave, Lee says.
But not a lot of people see that, and its something that I want to expand on more.
I think fashion can be a really good way to express yourself.
The whole point of coming back for the last Olympics was to show myself that I could do it.
I dont think I would want there to be a huge story, she says.
It shouldnt be deeper than that.
I dont need any more adversity, Lee jokes.
I dont want people to feel bad for me.
I just want to go into the gym and work hard.
Right now that means living in the moment and learning to take the wins.
Thats something that Ive learned from gymnastics, Lee says.
My coach is always telling me, Youre making this harder than it is.
Youve done this a thousand times.
Why are you trying to make it into a problem?
And Im like, Youre right.
Why am I freaking out?
The same goes for any new venture.
If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
