“I was a little nervous at first”- When Simone Biles’ husband Jonathan Owens opened up about convincing gymnast’s parents for engagement

Simone Biles’ husband Jonathan Owens once spoke about how he convinced the gymnast’s parents, Ronald and Nellie Biles, for their engagement. Following their engagement, Owens and Biles exchanged vows in an intimate courthouse ceremony in April 2023 and had a grand celebration in front of close friends and family in Cabo, Mexico, in May.

Owens spoke about asking the gymnast’s parents for their blessing during an interview with TODAY show in February 2022. The show’s hosts asked Owens about how he planned the engagement and how he approached her parents. In the exclusive interview, he responded (starting at 1:14):
“Definitely, definitely, talked to him. I was a little nervous at first. For the longest, Simone was sitting right next to us. So, I couldn’t really say what I wanted and then she left.”
He also mentioned the planning that was involved in the proposal, adding (0:36 onwards):
“So, it was a lot of planning. It probably took about two and a half months. I kind of started talking to the jeweler in early December.”
The Chicago Bears safety also added how his cousin helped him with various things for the big day.
“Just getting everything situated and my cousin, he helped a lot, just doing stuff for me when I’m busy, called the restaurant and set everything up, got the photographer set up for me, but she really had no clue. She just thought it was a normal day (Valentine’s Day).”

“If not for my parents and adoption, I wouldn’t be here”- Simone Biles credits her adoptive parents for her success
Simone Biles at Paris Olympics. (Photo by Stefan Matzke – sampics/Getty Images)
Simone Biles at Paris Olympics. (Photo by Stefan Matzke – sampics/Getty Images)
On the TODAY Show, Simone Biles credited her adoptive parents – maternal grandfather Ronald and his second wife Nellie for her successful career. Notably, she, along with her younger sister Adria, was adopted by them when Simone was six.
Due to Shannon Biles’ struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, she was unable to care for her four children, Ashley, Tevin, Simone, and Adria, who were then placed in foster care. Following this, Simone and Adria were adopted by Ronald and Nellie, while Ashley and Tevin were adopted by Ronald’s sister, Harriet.During the show in August 2024, Simone Biles was asked who she credits the most for her success. The American gymnastics star responded by stating:
“If not for my parents and adoption, I wouldn’t be here today.”
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Following her adoption, Simone Biles’ life transformed as Ronald and Nellie played a pivotal role in the gymnast’s personal and career growth. She has since become the most decorated gymnast in the history of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, winning a total of 30 medals, including 23 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze. Meanwhile, her Olympic tally now stands at 11 medals, which includes 7 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze.

He also mentioned the planning that was involved in the proposal, adding (0:36 onwards):
“So, it was a lot of planning. It probably took about two and a half months. I kind of started talking to the jeweler in early December.”

The Chicago Bears safety also added how his cousin helped him with various things for the big day.
“Just getting everything situated and my cousin, he helped a lot, just doing stuff for me when I’m busy, called the restaurant and set everything up, got the photographer set up for me, but she really had no clue. She just thought it was a normal day (Valentine’s Day).”