The most decorated gymnast in American history is coming to the Lifetime Network. Talented gymnast Simone Biles, who set the record for the most gold medals won in the women’s gymnastics at a single Olympics, will become a television force to be reckoned with this Saturday. The 20 year old’s backstory turned film is centered on her book, Courage To Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance, where she remarks on her pursuit of gymnastic greatness, as well as the sacrifices she made along the way to attain her success.
Playing Biles is Jeanté Godlock, a South Central LA born and raised actress, who participates in everything from dance to fitness when she’s not showcasing her acting chops. In addition to her lead in the Lifetime production, Godlock has been a supporting actress in Brackett, the lead in Dear Dodd, and played a supporting role in the short film Sell Out, with each set to be unveiled this year.
The Simone Biles Story taped in Vancouver, where Godlock went through a demanding and vigorous training to ensure she embodied all aspects of Biles. Where Godlock is said to notably shine is in capturing the challenges that Biles faced growing up.
It is important to note that Lifetime opted not to discuss the recent headlines surrounding gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, who Biles was a victim of. Instead, their intent in producing the film is to exhibit Biles’s triumphs and victories, despite the myriad of valleys she’s encountered so far.
The Simone Biles Story will also star Julius Tennon, Tisha Campbell-Martin, and Raven Bowens.
Lifetime will air The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar on February 3, and re-air on 4th, 5th, and 6th.
Following the premiere on Saturday Lifetime will premiere a one-hour special telling the inspiring story of the Olympic champion with interviews from those closest to the gymnast, titled, BIOGRAPHY PRESENTS: SIMONE BILES: AMERICAN GOLD.
Synopsis:
“The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar” follows Simone Biles (Jeanté Godlock) through the sacrifices and hard work that led her to win 19 Olympic and World Championship medals and ultimately cemented her stake as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. After a field trip to a gymnastics training center when Simone was six years old, she caught the eye of a local coach who recognized that Simone had a remarkable gift for the sport. But pursuing her dream of becoming an elite gymnast also meant giving up high school football games, prom or starting college at UCLA. With her parents Ron (Julius Tennon, “How to Get Away with Murder”) and Nellie Biles (Tisha Campbell-Martin, “My Wife and Kids”) and younger sister Adria (Raven Bowens, “The New Edition Story”) supporting her every step of the way, Simone’s journey from foster care to the Olympic podium – with all of its triumphs and heartbreaks – can serve as an inspiration for every little girl with a dream. The film also stars Kathleen Rose Perkins as Aimee Boorman, Kelsey Scott as Shanon, Marilyn Norry as Martha Karolyi and Nakai Takawira as Young Simone.
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