Before I interviewed Jordan Chiles in Paris, where she was attending the unveiling of Nike’s Olympic kits in May, I Googled her. The first thing that came up was a YouTube interview in which she confidently says, “I’m that girl.” That same quote was used to title the video, and the sentiment was agreed upon in the comments, with fans writing, “She’s right.”
In person, Chiles exudes that same kind of energy. It’s not even something she has to declare, it’s just so obvious. She is that girl—an Olympic gymnast who takes her interviews while wearing a green Off-White jersey top with a white pleated tennis skirt and colorful chunky Jordan sneakers. Chiles has been on the United States gymnastics team since 2013 and won a silver medal in Tokyo in 2020. She was also named after Michael Jordan, and at just 23 years old, is already living up to her namesake’s record-breaking reputation for greatness.
But what has made Chiles a household name is the fabulous way in which she presents herself. Her GK leotards are bright, colorful and embellished, often inspired by looks pulled from the latest runway or red carpet. Her makeup is always impeccably done, with long lashes, sharp eyeliner and bright lipstick.
“One thing about beauty is … I had to get taught to embrace it when I was younger,” she says. “I went to a predominantly white school growing up, so I was a typical Black girl thinking she was white. I had to be able to figure out how to embrace myself and my beauty. The fun part was dressing up and doing my hair and doing makeup—and being able to incorporate that within my competitions. It shows a different side of me.”
Chiles first realized she could have fun with beauty and fashion while competing when she became aware of American track and field runner Florence Griffith Joyner, known as Flo-Jo, who famously wore nails four to six inches long, covered in feisty tiger-print stripes in the colors of the American flag.
“She was always known for having long nails. So I thought: ‘Okay, if she was able to do that on track, why can’t we do that in other sports? Why can’t I do that with gymnastics?’ ” Chiles says. “And there’s a typical way you’re supposed to look in gymnastics—if you look it up, you see it. You know it. I thought, ‘Why can’t I just change that part of it? If I can do really cool and unique fashion looks with my leotards, why can’t I also do that with my makeup or my hair?’ ”
And so her signature made-up look was born, with over-the-top—in the best possible way—leotards to match. “It all just makes me feel more confident. It makes me feel like I am who I am. It makes me feel like I can just enjoy my personality and be something that God created me to be, and it was not to be shy, it wasn’t to be embarrassed of who I was, but to actually embrace who I am,” she adds. “And fashion is how I can showcase that.”
When Chiles is putting together a look, she sees her makeup, hair, and clothes all working together to form one cohesive vision. She prepares for a competition and the Olympics the way she would for a step-and-repeat. She says, “I like to put it all together, all into one look, like I am walking down a red carpet.”
Chiles mentions that she isn’t concerned with the trends of the moment; she wants to have a different kind of look that pulls from pop culture but doesn’t copy it. Her mom also helps. “She’s been into fashion her whole life as well, so she kind of gives a different perspective, and it’s really cool having our heads come together, because we come up with some really cool designs,” she says.
As for what fans can look forward to seeing her wear at the Paris Olympics, which begin this month? She winks and says, “I’ll give you a little hint hint: A lot of my stuff this year is inspired by Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour.” I smile and nod before saying, “You really are that girl.” To which she laughs: “I guess I am.”
