Just when we thought the dust had finally settled, Riley Gaines is back in headlines and not for the reason you’d expect. After her public feud with Olympic legend Simone Biles rocked social media last month, many believed both stars had moved on. Gaines, ever outspoken, seemed to shift her focus away from the controversy… until a surprising moment changed everything. And now? Let’s say the story has taken a personal and emotional turn.
On June 14, during a lively public event, the 25-year-old former swimmer made a big announcement: she’s expecting her first child with husband Louis Barker. The crowd roared as she revealed her baby bump and confirmed it’s a girl. But she couldn’t resist slipping in a subtle dig at Simone Biles, reigniting buzz around their feud just as things had cooled. Still, the focus quickly shifted from drama to concern, as fans soon learned Riley’s pregnancy journey hasn’t been the smoothest ride.
Days after the big reveal, Riley took to Instagram with a worrying health update. She posted a screenshot of a ChatGPT message explaining the intense leg cramps known as “charley horses,” a common but painful pregnancy symptom, especially in the second and third trimesters. The message cited causes like increased pressure on nerves, reduced circulation, dehydration, and fatigue from extra body weight. It also listed ways to relieve the pain: staying hydrated, stretching, and maintaining proper electrolyte balance. Gaines captioned the post, “THIS has been my worst pregnancy symptom. I’ve been getting charley horses in my calves. Every. Single. Night.” But that’s not all.
In a follow-up story, she shared a photo of herself sitting in a recliner, hooked up to an IV drip. The caption read, “Post travel IVs to the rescue.” Well, seems she was getting rehydrated after recent travel, another sign her body is feeling the toll of pregnancy. While she’s embracing this beautiful new chapter, the timing of it all came just after things had barely cooled down online. That moment of calm? It didn’t last long. Because when we say Riley Gaines and Simone Biles were at the center of one of the internet’s loudest feuds, trust, it was loud. So what exactly went down?
Internet erupts as Simone Biles and Riley Gaines go head to head
Well, we know Gaines’ pregnancy announcement came on the heels of a heated social media feud with Olympic legend Simone Biles. The controversy ignited on June 6 when Gaines criticized a high school softball team’s championship win, writing on a Minnesota State High School League post, “to be expected when your star player is a boy.”
Biles swiftly fired back, calling Gaines “truly sick” and a “sore loser,” accusing her of bullying the trans community. She urged Gaines to focus on inclusivity and even proposed a transgender sports category, writing, “Maybe a transgender category IN ALL sports!!” The feud exploded across social media platforms. Gaines didn’t hold back in her response!
She called Simone Biles’ remarks “so disappointing” and sarcastically added, “Simone Biles being a male‑apologist at the expense of young girls’ dreams? Didn’t have that on my bingo card.” She even suggested Biles try competing in events like pommel horse and rings at the 2028 Olympics.
Four days later, Simone Biles softened her tone, admitting her words had gotten “too personal” and clarifying that her intention was to promote “competitive equity & inclusivity” in sports, saying it must begin “with empathy and respect.” While her apology helped cool the online firestorm, the powerful quotes and the core issue of fairness in women’s sports continue to fuel debate well beyond social media.
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