MyKayla Skinner reveals shocking death threats after Simone Biles feud and new women’s sports fight

Olympic medalist MyKayla Skinner revealed the devastating impact of online hate following a public disagreement with Simone Biles. Facing death threats and depression, Skinner struggled as a new mother. However, this painful experience ultimately empowered her to find her voice and advocate for women’s sports, joining movements like ‘Save Women’s Sports’.

MyKayla Skinner, who won a silver medal with Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics, has opened up about the painful online hate she faced after her public disagreement with Simone Biles last year. Speaking to Fox News Digital, she said the backlash “took me down a spiral” and made her feel like the “whole world hated” her. The reaction came after she posted a video in July 2023 where she spoke about the team’s talent and depth for the 2024 Olympics, comments that fans quickly turned against her.

MyKayla Skinner on online threats and depression after backlash

Simone Biles reacted to Skinner’s video with a social media post saying, “Not everyone needs a mic and a platform.” The response triggered a major backlash online. MyKayla Skinner apologized and said her words were misunderstood. But the hate only got worse. She was a new mother at the time and says she struggled deeply with what followed.

MyKayla Skinner said she started getting death threats, hate emails and even phone messages sent to her agent. Some people told her she “shouldn’t be a mom.” She said she was nursing her baby then and fell into a dark mental state. “It really did take me down a spiral. I felt like I couldn’t be the mom I needed to be,” Skinner said. She revealed that one anonymous letter said she was going to hell and should stay silent.

At first, she was scared to speak up about anything in public. She said as a gymnast, she grew up in an environment where athletes were trained to “stay quiet and not have a voice.” She even turned down work opportunities before because she feared more hate. But over time, she said that pain pushed her to stand up for something she believed in.

MyKayla Skinner joins XX-XY Athletics after supporting Riley Gaines

MyKayla Skinner is now an ambassador for XX-XY Athletics, a brand that supports protecting women’s sports. She said the turning point came in June when Simone Biles criticized conservative athlete Riley Gaines during an online debate about transgender participation in women’s sports. MyKayla Skinner publicly supported Riley Gaines and said it was time to “find her voice.” She is now using her platform to stand with athletes like Riley Gaines, Nancy Hogshead and others in the “Save Women’s Sports” movement. MyKayla Skinner says the journey was painful, but it also made her stronger and gave her purpose beyond gymnastics.

About the Author: Sehjal Gupta is a sports journalist covering US and international sports, with a specialization in the NFL. She has been writing about sports since 2025, reporting on leagues, tournaments, and athletes who shape the game. A Master’s in Management adds depth to her analysis, while her love for Hollywood movies and pop culture sparks her storytelling voice, a flair that also shapes her entertainment writing, giving it the same energy and creativity she brings to sports.