OLYMPIC CHAMP GABBY DOUGLAS DAZZLES ON THE COVER OF ESSENCE MAGAZINE’S ‘WOMEN OF THE YEAR’ ISSUE
American gymnastics sensation and Olympic champion Gabby Douglas has proven once and for all that she is truly golden.
The 16-year-old star athlete graces the cover of Essence Magazine’s annual ‘Women of the Year’ issue, dressed to impress in a black and gold Notte by Marchessa mini, with a gold medal and her signature smile completing her flawless look.
In the cover story titled Gabby Takes Flight, the teen talks about her life after her impressive showing in the Summer Olympics earlier this year, the Huffington Post reported.
After making history in London by becoming the first African American gymnast to win the individual all-around gold medal and helping her team mount the top of the podium, Douglas has become a household name.
In the months since her triumph, the petite athlete got a chance to befriend First Lady Michelle Obama, booked a beau- ty campaign with OPI Products Inc and even guest-starred on the e show The Vampire Diaries.
From the story it emerges, howwever, that despite her new found celebrity status, the teenage star is not letting her fame go to her head.
‘In my dreams I didn’t think about how many shows i would be on and how many peopl ple would tweet me...it’s so cool,’ Douglas told Es Essence.
Douglas’ mother, N Natalie Hawkins, also sh shared her thoughts on the controversy that er erupted after some in th the African American community had criticized her daughter for appearing in the Olympics with what was d deemed as a messy head of hair.
‘It hurt because it was coming f from the community that should h have upheld us the most,’ she said. ‘It was coming from within her own race, African-American women who are the people who are supposed to relate to her and be the happiest for her.’