Simone Biles exposes the shocking price of celebrity glamour amid rising costs.
Image: Instagram/Simone Biles
If you’ve felt a pang of physical pain while tapping your card for a latte lately, take comfort in the fact that even the GOAT is spiralling over the cost of living.
Olympic legend Simone Biles just sent shockwaves through social media, proving that whether you’re checking petrol prices on Google Trends in South Africa or walking a red carpet in Madrid, the global economy is officially "doing too much".
The price of glam: "Is that f**king normal?"
In a raw, unfiltered TikTok posted April 27, the 29-year-old gymnastics icon didn't hold back after receiving a staggering $23,000 (R370k) bill for a stylist, hair, and make-up team for a single event.
"I just need to know if this is normal," Biles asked her followers, visibly stunned. "I know going outside is expensive as f*** these days, but is it this expensive? I get inflation ... but if that’s the new norm, you all can have it.
"Y’all will never see me at another event. I’m going to sit my ass right here where it’s free."
The seven-time gold medallist, who recently graced the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards, admitted she’s been "spiralling" over the invoice.
While she was careful not to bash the artists involved, noting her teams are always "lovely", she raised a poignant point about the "celebrity tax", where vendors often double or triple quote based on a client’s name.
This isn't just "rich people's problems". Biles’ sticker shock resonates because she’s a known budget-conscious queen.
Lest we forget, for her 2023 courthouse wedding, she rocked a $120 tiered dress from online boutique Selfie Leslie. If a woman who hunts for bargains on her wedding day is stressed about the "new norm" of pricing, what hope do the rest of us have?
The struggle is universal. While Biles is side-eyeing five-figure glam squads, South Africans are glued to Google Trends, searching for fuel prices daily as inflation eats away at buying power.
It’s the same energy as that viral TikTok trend where creators joke that just opening your front door costs $100. Whether it’s a R100 matcha drink or a $23,000 stylist, the sentiment remains: "Outside" is a luxury we can barely afford.
Biles isn't the only elite athlete feeling the pinch. Fellow Olympian and alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin jumped into the comments to validate the concern, simply stating, “Girl, I’ve been wondering the same.”
The conversation highlights a massive shift in lifestyle trends. We are seeing a move toward transparency, with even the world’s most successful figures calling out the "staggering" costs of maintaining a public image.
If the world's most decorated gymnast is considering staying inside to save a buck, don't feel bad about choosing your couch over a night out.
In 2026, the most relatable thing a celebrity can do isn't show off a designer bag. It's complaining about the bill.
As Biles put it: "I’m staying inside for the foreseeable future."