American gymnast Simone Biles has been open about her mental health over the past few years, particularly following the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when she famously got the twisties mid-air. This dangerous situation led Biles to remove herself from the competition—a hugely responsible step that prioritized her own mental and physical health above the expectations of those watching the world stage. It took immense courage. 

Around that time, Biles met Jasmine Johnson who has become her trusted hair stylist. During the last four years, Biles and Johnson have both deepened their understanding that confidence comes from inner strength and taking care of yourself both inside and out.

In this Hair Stories feature, Johnson shares her personal hair and career journey, how she came to work with the GOAT, and the hair advice she gave Biles before the Olympics.

can you tell us about your relationship with hair growing up?

Growing up, I didn't think I was that pretty. I grew up in a salon—my parents owned a salon in Louisiana for 17 years—so I was always surrounded by hair and saw how it transformed people when they left the salon. I wanted that for myself, to feel beautiful through my hair.

has your idea of what is beautiful with your hair changed over time?

In the ‘80s and the ‘90s, a lot of us had relaxers. To be pretty, your hair needs to be straight. So if you got one little kink you were like, “Ooh, I need a relaxer.” But now embracing my natural texture, if I want to get a [relaxer], there's nothing wrong with it, but once I got my rhythm on what products are best for me, I could feel confident without straight hair.

Back in the day, we didn't have social media, it was magazines. So finding a certain idol I would think, “Okay, if I can just do a little bit of what she does, I think I'll be okay.” When I found my own rhythm, then I felt like I could do it. I felt confident. 

were there any particular people in the magazines that inspired you?

I was obsessed with Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston. I loved Celine Dion, Shania Twain, and Halle Berry. I looked up to them because they were naturally beautiful in whatever they did. Outside of my mother, those were the main ones but I was restricted because of my religious upbringing. I really couldn't explore my beauty until I got a little bit older.

how did you find the inner strength to define what was right for you and your faith? 

I started to define my new path about eight years ago after going through a marital split—when I left, that's when I started living. I was able to work on my craft and hone my skills unapologetically. I even experimented with my hair–I was strawberry blonde for almost nine years. 

what was your next move?

When I first got out of cosmetology school, I thought I would hit the ground running, but it was a slower journey than expected. I didn't want to stay in one type of salon; I wanted to broaden my horizons. I knew I needed to experience different styles and cultures of hair. Working in a both predominantly Black and non-Black salons had its challenges, but I learned and grew from the experiences.

how did you find the right salon space for you?

It took me a while to get where I am now, I hopped around a lot trying to figure it out. Every step of the way, I had to prove I belonged, which wasn’t always easy due to various types of discrimination and the nature of the industry.  It took me a while to find a place where I could thrive and be confident in my craft.

how did you come to work with Simone?

During the pandemic, I moved into a new salon suite to expand. My growth and experience welcomed the challenge.

I was always a big fan of Simone's and I met her right after the Tokyo Olympics. I actually met her sister first without knowing it. When her sister left the salon, she mentioned how much she loved her hair and that her sister would love me too. Soon after, I saw Simone Biles book an appointment on my website.

The appointment turned into hours of us talking, laughing, and connecting effortlessly. From there, we built a great relationship, and I’ve been blessed to work with her ever since. It will be four years in November, and I’m so grateful for her trust.

She said, “I don't know what it is about you, but I like you. Are you busy tomorrow? Do you want to do a shoot with me?” 

as Simone has prioritized her mental well-being, have you seen that impact her performance?

I believe that when you feel good and look good, it boosts your confidence, and that's something I’ve always emphasized with Simone. Especially when facing criticism, having that confidence in how you look can help you perform better.

how do you keep her hair healthy so she feels her best? 

Simone loves extensions, but I make sure she doesn’t keep a style in for too long. It’s important to give the hair a break, especially with how often her hair is pulled back in a ponytail for gymnastics. I encourage her to use the K18 molecular repair hair mask and oil at home. She receives the K18REPAIR™ service in the salon and takes breaks from heat styling to keep her hair healthy.

as a Black woman, what does hair expression mean to you, especially in the context of seeing Simone face criticism in a public platform like the Olympics? people seem to have a lot to say.

I'm going to be honest with you—it's been a lot. The Olympics have been great and also been trying for me because I'm not with her. When we learned that I wasn't going to be able to be in the village with her, I sent all the tools that she needed to keep her hair healthy. What made me proud is how she transformed it between days, because her hair looked amazing throughout the olympics.

how do you respond to people who are commenting?

Can we talk about the fact that she has 11 medals? She's the most decorated gymnast of all time. I always come back to her achievements— she’s an unbelievable gymnast, and her hair is healthy and looks great. When Simone’s in the middle of competing, she’s not thinking about having every hair in place, and that’s okay. We’ve worked out techniques for her hair care, but during those high-pressure moments, it’s about her performance, and she’s nailing it every time.

what was your favorite moment of the Olympics?

When Simone wore the dark blue leotard and saluted after her floor routine, it was a powerful moment. She had done everything she set out to do, and her mental health was strong throughout the competition. She never wavered and stayed the course. I was completely overwhelmed with pride.

Seeing her accomplish so much, despite everything she’s faced, is incredible. She even gave Rebeca Andrade her flowers with so much grace. That maturity and kindness are what make her such a special person.

we’re so happy to be a part of it, too!

It’s an unforgettable experience, and working with a brand like K18 that supports us means so much to both Simone and me.