12:00 AM EDT 8/7/2012
Fresh from her all-around win at the London Olympics, Gabby Douglas thought the focus would be on the gold medals she earned for her country, not the state of her tresses during the grueling competitions.
"I don't know where this is coming from. What's wrong with my hair?" said the 16-year-old, who is often referred to as the jumping squirrel. "I'm like, 'I just made history and people are focused on my hair?' It can be bald or short, it doesn't matter about (my) hair."
While competing,Gabby, along with the other members of her team, styled their hair in a simple updo, and secured flyaway strands with gel and hair clips.
Proving that she's not one to back down from any challenge, the Olympic winner had some defiant words for the people who weren't too thrilled with her hairstyle.
"Nothing is going to change," said Gabby. "I'm going to wear my hair like this during beam and bar finals. You might as well just stop talking about it."
Ever the grown-up, Douglas concluded with: "I don't think people should be worried about that. "We're all champions and we're all winners. I just say that it's kind of, a stupid and crazy thought to think about my hair."
Our sentiments exactly, Gabby!