00:00I think it's really important because I think now it's kind of frowned upon or kind of looked over.
00:05So now that we're bringing it to the forefront is really important because at the end of the day, for me at least,
00:10I feel like I'm a human as well, not just an athlete or entertainment.
00:19I'm Simone Biles. This is Essence Uncovered. And go check it out. This shoot was amazing.
00:30Oh my gosh, it was such a big deal whenever my family and friends told me I was going to be on the cover of Essence.
00:38I just could not believe it. It was super exciting and I'm excited to be here today. It's a huge honor.
00:44What I learned this year is speaking up for yourself, protecting your mental and your safety,
00:50going into each of your tournaments or competitions.
00:53And I think it's really important that we realize we're humans and we have to keep that in full tact
00:58before that were anything else. Oh my gosh, Essence to me means black beauty.
01:03And so I strive to be excellent and great. And it's just, I'm so excited.
01:09This shoot is so important because Simone, in so many ways, is the greatest.
01:16So, you know, I think that everyone brought their A-game to this shoot
01:20and was able to produce on a level which is worthy of who she is and what she has accomplished.
01:27I'm super honored to be the one doing makeup for Simone today.
01:31She's an amazing example of putting yourself first and always making sure that you,
01:37your mental health, your physical health is a priority.
01:40And I'm so glad that I'm able to work with her.
01:43I think it's amazing that Essence is supporting black creatives because I know myself growing up
01:48as a little girl on the projects. I didn't see people my age, my skin color, doing these amazing things.
01:54And I'm so glad now there are little brown girls and boys that can look and see me
02:00and feel like, you know, they can do the same thing as well.
02:03You know, for us to be shooting Simone Biles, especially, so she's one of three covers,
02:06and we're highlighting women who have said no and who are really, you know, for lack of better term,
02:12really reclaiming their time and saying what they will and will not do and are sticking to it.
02:16And, you know, for her, especially as someone who's so young, to have, you know,
02:21to be making the decisions that she's making, you know, specifically talking about the Olympics,
02:26you know, powerful black women like that are the embodiment of Essence magazine.
02:32So it's only right that she is one of these incredible covers.
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