LOS ANGELES.- The cantante SZA could be known for hits like Kill Bill y Snooze, But the R&B star revealed another impressive skill beyond music that received high praise from the gymnastics superstar. Simone Biles.
The multiple Grammy Award winner showed off her agile athletic skills during a friendly handstand contest with Biles during an NBC promo that premiered Monday. It was the first meeting between SZA and Biles, who secured her third trip to the Olympics following her victory at the U.S. trials on Sunday night.
In the two-minute video, SZA meets Biles at the gymnast’s World Champions Center training facility, owned by the gymnast’s family, in Spring, Texas. As the two stretched, Biles asked SZA about her shift from gymnastics to music, the latter of which the singer called her ‘hidden talent’.
“When it became clear to me that I wasn’t going to be a national gymnast, I was like, ‘Okay, let me see what else I can do and what I can be good at,'” said SZA, who won three Grammy Awards this year. The singer was heavily involved in gymnastics for more than a decade before achieving musical stardom.
“I needed something I could be competitive at,” SZA continued.
SZA’s talent
When SZA stood up, Biles thought she was rehearsing until the singer held her pose firmly for a few seconds.
“Oh, she’s practicing. Wait, that’s good,” said Biles, who applauded SZA’s skills with excitement.
Both of them did a handstand at the same time. After about 15 seconds, during which they even moved their arms back and forth, Biles’ feet hit the mat first, making SZA the winner.
“That was really cool,” said Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history.
SZA added: “That was really hard.”
The video is one of the latest from NBC, which has been inserting more pop culture into the network’s coverage ahead of the Paris Olympics that begin July 26. Past promotional spots have included Cardi B, Sha’Carri Richardson, Lily Collins and Noah Lyles.
“SZA and Simone’s mutual admiration for each other’s talents provides a preview of the incredible competition ahead at the Olympic Games in Paris,” said Joseph Lee, senior vice president, creative marketing, sports and entertainment, NBCUniversal. “Their shared joy in being together showcases the cultural excitement we will experience watching these athletes compete.”
FUENTE: AP
