Jordan Chiles recently delivered a powerful tribute to retired gymnast and former teammate Aly Raisman at the Variety Power of Women 2025 event. Raisman was recognized for her advocacy for abuse survivors.
Notably, Chiles presented the award to the three-time Olympic champion in honor of her leadership and her efforts to show how pets can aid survivors’ healing.
How Did Jordan Chiles Pay Tribute to Aly Raisman Through Her Speech?
Chiles, in her tribute, fondly recalled how she and her teammates affectionately called Raisman ‘Grandma’ not merely because she was older and still excelling in competition, but because she was the one who always looked out for everyone, ensuring her teammates were okay and bringing a sense of calm when things felt chaotic. During her speech shared by Variety on their Instagram, she said:
“In the gym, we all call her Grandma. And if you know Aly, you know why. Yes, it was because she was older and still out on the competition floor, beating all of us young ones, like, out of this park. But also because she’s the one who made sure we were okay, who checked in, who cared. She brought that steady, grounding presence when everything felt chaotic.”
“And that’s exactly who she’s been for survivors everywhere. A steady presence saying, ‘I see you, I believe you, you’re not alone,'” the 24-year-old also mentioned.
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Raisman, who bravely came forward with her own story of abuse in 2017, has since become a powerful advocate for survivors of sexual assault, continuing to inspire gymnasts and others through her activism. She officially retired in 2020, bringing to a close a remarkable career that included six Olympic and four World Championship medals.
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Meanwhile, Chiles is juggling her training with the UCLA Bruins for the upcoming collegiate gymnastics season while also competing on Dancing With the Stars alongside professional dancer and choreographer Ezra Sosa.
Raisman on Chiles Being on Dancing With The Stars
On being asked to share advice for Jordan Chiles, who is in Season 34 of DWTS, Aly Raisman instead turned the spotlight on her former teammate. The former USA gymnastics captain expressed deep admiration for Chiles’ talent and charisma, admitting that she would be the one seeking advice from her.
Speaking to People.com, Raisman said: “Oh, I want Jordan Chiles to give me advice. Jordan is so talented, such an amazing performer. I cannot wait to watch her and cheer her on, and uh, she’s gonna have the best time.”
Chiles and Sosa have been earning praise for their impressive performances, achieving their highest score of 39 out of 40 on Wicked Night. It is worth noting that Raisman also competed on Dancing With the Stars back in Season 16, where she finished in fourth place.