Jordan Chiles is easily the heart and soul of the UCLA Bruins. Not to mention, she is also a reason for upliftment for both her Olympic and NCAA teammates. But the same can’t be said since her Olympic run. Despite winning a bronze, she got it stripped off her. This, in turn, has left her shell-shocked and in a negative mental state. Now it is no surprise that Simone Biles, Jordan’s BFF, was among the many who tried to cheer her up, there was someone else as well who stood by Chiles at UCLA. But who is it? Is she someone we know?
Well, it is none other than Emma Malabuyo. Coming back to UCLA, the Senior and the 2024 Olympian made it easy for Chiles to transition into her role at UCLA. While Chiles decided to come back to the NCAA before Paris, she was unsure about how much of an impact it would have on healing her mental state. But with Malabuyo guiding her, Chiles has slowly opened up and embraced her new role.
In fact, she is loving it! “All practice, I hear her like, ‘I want you to smile! I want you to celebrate that stick, enjoy it,” Malabuyo stated. She also recalled how Chiles always gets to appreciate her teammates. Right after a practice session, Chiles makes sure that she walks up to the gymnasts and compliments them. Shedding light on her bonding with Chiles, Malabuyo recalled a sweet moment from Paris.
The Philippines’ gymnastics stated that Chiles called her up to her room to braid her hair. And guess who Chiles was sharing her room with? It was none other than Simone Biles! Back at UCLA, Chiles has a clear message to her teammates. According to Malabuyo, Chiles says, “Along this difficult road to nationals, she wants us to enjoy the process and recognize the small wins.” Unfortunately, she often forgets her own advice.
Oftentimes, Chiles gets really rough on herself right after having a bad day. As Malabuyo recalls, “I remember she had one difficult day at practice and was like, ‘Sometimes it’s hard finding my identity with what happened this past summer.’” Well, despite all the stress, Jordan Chiles is slowly becoming a cheering and vibrant addition to the team at UCLA. Much like she was for Team USA.
What makes Jordan Chiles the ultimate hype girl and powerhouse for Team USA Gymnastics?
That Girl. The one who cheers the loudest, celebrates the hardest, and lifts everyone around her with energy so contagious it electrifies the room. That Girl who never fades into the background, even when she’s not the one in the spotlight. That Girl who embodies everything it means to be a teammate, a friend, and the ultimate hype girl. Jordan Chiles is ‘That Girl’ for Team USA.
Jordan is the one pacing the sidelines, shouting words of encouragement, leaping in the air when her teammates stick a landing. She’s not there for the applause. Her energy is pure, unfiltered, and unstoppable. When Simone Biles dominated the vault, the same event that had haunted her in Tokyo, Jordan was bouncing with uncontainable joy.
And when it was her turn to perform, she didn’t just participate, but she set the tone, delivering power, precision, and a confidence that radiated through the entire team. Even after a setback on the beam, Chiles got back up, finished strong, and made sure her presence was felt. And when she stepped onto the floor, raising her fist and winking at the camera, she knew she was about to bring the house down.
Because That Girl never lets a moment go by without making it count. And Chiles is looking to do the same come the NCAA championships this April. She has led her team to a Big Ten Championship already. Not to mention, she wasn’t just there. No, she led them to the title with multiple perfect 10s. It seems just when everything seems dark and bleak, she shines the brightest. But can she win? Well, let’s see.
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