Following the Paris 2024 Olympics, American gymnast Suni Lee has boosted her career off the mat despite not competing since the Games. Lee, who won three medals in Paris, including a gold in the team event, dived into several ventures outside of the sport, including media, fashion, and several sponsorship deals.
Lee took a break from gymnastics after the Paris Games to focus on her health. She has previously managed chronic kidney disease and been vocal about the importance of mental health during her transition away from elite competition.
Suni Lee on Life in the Public Eye
Lee has since relocated to New York City and begun pursuing fashion. She appeared in the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, participated in New York Fashion Week, and also made her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut in October 2025.
In a recent interview, Lee discussed what her life has been like in the social media era, saying:
“I had such an awesome culture support on the way. But I definitely struggled with it. I feel like I’ve been in the public eye in gymnastics since I was 10-11 years old, people have always had something to say. And that was definitely very difficult for me, especially growing up. Not a lot of people teach you about social media, so I wasn’t media trained and just said what was on my mind.”
“Now I’m confident in myself, I speak my truth. And to all the critics, I’m now like, ‘And I have a gold medal, and you don’t,'” she stated.
Lee also collaborated with brands such as lululemon and American Eagle, starring in their promotional content. For American Eagle, she promoted the “AE x Tru Kolors” line led by Travis Kelce, appearing in ads with athletes such as Azzi Fudd.
Suni Lee Discusses Prioritizing Her Mental Health
Lee made her breakthrough on the international stage at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she won the all-around gold medal, becoming the first Hmong American and Asian American woman to do so. She would go on to make more history in Paris, becoming the first American woman with two Olympic uneven bars medals (bronze in 2020 and 2024).
In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Lee discussed what she does to prioritize her mental health, saying:
“I’ve been doing a lot of journaling and trying to keep all of my friendships really close. I feel like during this time – where I’m transitioning out of gymnastics and into different careers, being in a different city without my family and my friends – it’s been a really hard change and a really big adjustment for me. So I’ve just been talking to them every day.”
In the conversation, Lee also discussed her makeup routine, how her style has changed since she moved to New York, and the shows she was currently watching.
