Last December, Jonathan Owens stirred up significant online debate during an appearance on The Pivot podcast when he revealed that he didn’t know who Simone Biles was when they first met and added that “men are always the catch in a relationship.” His comments sparked a wave of backlash, with some fans urging Biles to “divorce this man” and others labeling Owens as “mean.” At the time, the couple was already high-profile—having met on a dating app in March 2020 when Owens was a little-known practice squad player while Biles was a global icon with five Olympic medals.
Despite the criticism, Biles stood by her husband, shutting down the negativity. However, the controversy lingered, with Biles later admitting that the backlash had hurt her feelings. She defended Owens, describing him as “the sweetest guy who will do anything for anybody.” Owens, on the other hand, initially remained unaware of the uproar due to keeping his social media notifications off. When he eventually learned about it, his response was pragmatic: “People are going to talk about you anyway, so you might as well do it the way you want to.”
Now, a year later, the internet is once again drawing parallels between the Biles-Owens situation and the ongoing scrutiny faced by Travis Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, and his fiancée, Leanna Lenee. Hunter, instead of celebrating his historic win, found himself at the center of relationship drama after a viral video showed Lenee remaining seated during the Heisman ceremony while others stood and applauded. Deion Sanders, Hunter’s coach, had to nudge her to stand, which led to widespread speculation about her behavior. Critics labeled her “stuck-up and rude,” and the criticism soon escalated as trolls unearthed older clips to accuse her of being disrespectful.
Another incident from a post-Heisman event in New York added fuel to the fire. In a viral video, Lenee appeared frustrated while sitting off to the side as Hunter interacted with fans. Online speculation grew, and both Hunter and Lenee ultimately deleted their social media accounts due to the overwhelming negativity. Hunter addressed the situation during a Twitch stream, defending his relationship and explaining that the hate deeply affected both him and Lenee. He revealed that she was so distraught by the online attacks that she “cried herself to sleep” and turned to alcohol to cope. Standing firm, Hunter said, “I know my girl. My girl’s been with me for five years,” emphasizing the strength of their bond.
Lenee also took to TikTok to clarify her actions, explaining that her frustration in the video stemmed from logistical issues, not annoyance with fans. She reiterated her appreciation for Hunter’s supporters, stating, “I’m never annoyed with fans.” Despite their efforts to set the record straight, the couple continued to face backlash, with critics questioning their dynamic and even digging into past rumors of infidelity from 2020. This only intensified the scrutiny, overshadowing Hunter’s achievements on the field.
The drama didn’t escape public figures, with former NFL wide receiver Dez Bryant commenting that Lenee “loves the attention way more than [Hunter].” However, fans have pointed out the hypocrisy in how Hunter and Biles have been treated. Many noted that women were harshly criticized for supporting Biles during the Owens controversy, yet men have taken a similar stance by “warning” Hunter about his relationship. One fan remarked on the double standard, saying, “Men talked about how women were jealous of Simone Biles. Then turned around and did the exact same thing to Travis Hunter.”
Adding to the complexity, private messages allegedly revealing an affair involving Lenee in 2020 resurfaced, further fueling speculation. This revelation has placed additional strain on the couple, with Hunter expressing that the constant public scrutiny has been draining. Despite the personal challenges, Hunter has attempted to stay focused on his career, even as the Heisman Trophy moment—a milestone achievement—became overshadowed by the drama surrounding his personal life.
The situations involving both Hunter and Biles highlight a recurring pattern of public judgment and intrusion into the relationships of high-profile figures. While Biles and Hunter have responded to the criticism differently, the emotional toll has been evident in both cases, underscoring the pressures of life in the spotlight.