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Simone Biles‘ mother, Shanon Biles, is speaking out about wanting to reunite with her daughter after “decades” of estrangement.
On Tuesday, August 13, the Daily Mail released an exclusive interview with Shanon. The 52-year-old explained that due to her addiction to drugs, she had to “give up” her children.
“It was hard to give up my kids, but I had to do what I had to do,” Shanon told the outlet. “I wasn’t able to care for them. I was still using and [my father] didn’t want me coming in and out of their lives when I wasn’t right.”
Per PEOPLE, Simone previously revealed that she and her siblings, Adria, Tevin, and Ashley, were placed in foster care when she was three years old. At the age of six, she and Adria were adopted by their grandparents, Ronald and Nellie Biles.
Shanon explained to the Daily Mail that she would like to make amends with Simone. The mother explained that she has Simone’s phone number, but she’s “waiting on her” to reach out.
“I would like to make amends with Simone personally – I’m just waiting for her and [her younger sister] Adria. I speak to Adria more than I speak to Simone,” Shanon explained. “I would just ask her to forgive me. Can we move forward? Don’t judge me on my past. Let’s move forward.”
The mother ultimately told the outlet that she has to “be patient” with her daughter. Meanwhile, Shanon explained that her father keeps her posted on the 27-year-old.
“What I hear about Simone I hear through my dad. I speak to my dad all the time. We’re good now… If I need to know anything I call my dad. I ask him about Simone, and he keeps me posted,” she said.
Finally, Shanon also revealed that Simone’s father, Kevin Clemons, is also interested in “rebuild[ing]” a relationship with her.
“We both want to see her. I talk to him all the time,” Shanon told the outlet. “He says, ‘If you talk to Simone, give her my number. I’d love to talk to her.’ But I can’t even talk to her. I have to go through my dad.”
Watch Shannon’s sentiments and direct message to Simone below.
Social media users shared mixed reactions to Shanon Bile’s interview and message to her daughter in The Shade Room’s comment section.
While Instagram user @loveastin added, “I took it as she doesn’t want to reach out to her because she’s afraid that she will think she wants something from her. So she’s allowing her the space to reach out to her when she’s ready.”
While Instagram user @tacarracomedy added, “Her mother saying that she’s waiting for her to reach out to her, I think that’s fair. I think it’s fair for her to control her emotions enough to sit back and say whenever she’s ready I’m right here. Maybe I’m looking at it from a different perspective, but I wouldn’t want someone who gave me up for adoption looking for me, I’ll come look for you and search for you when I’m ready to deal with those emotions and those feelings.”
Instagram user @dwightholtjr wrote, “I never like to hear a parent say, ‘I’m waiting on … to reach out to me’. YOU ARE THE PARENT reach out. No matter how old a person is… mama and daddy are still mama and daddy.”
At this time, Simone has not directly reacted to her mother’s message or interview with the Daily Mail. However, she did take to Threads on Wednesday, August 14, to share a few words about her parents.
“my parents bought me my hermes bag 🥰 don’t be mad at me, be mad at your parents,” she wrote.
Furthermore, on Tuesday, August 13, the 27-year-old took to Instagram to share a carousel of photos that appear to be from her current time in Paris. As The Shade Room previously reported, Simone has been overseas participating in the 2024 Olympics.
The series of photos features a shot of Simone posing on a balcony, her visit to a Dior cafe, her time cruising Paris waters, and more.
Additionally, Biles even took to her Instagram Story to repost a carousel of photos shared by her sister Adria. Adria appears also to be spending time in Paris with her sister.
At this time, Adria has not publicly reacted to her mother’s public comments.
