Within the world of gymnastics, it was all hers for the taking, but then one small photograph changed everything. It stole all of the headlines and was all anyone could talk about. However, was this what caused her to end up changing her career path completely? It’s important to find out about McKayla’s story and how it came to pass:
A Star in the Making
Early in her childhood, McKayla shone during her gymnastics practices and meets. Those who knew her were sure that her Olympic dream was realistic and felt that it was only a matter of time.
A Star In The Making
One Photo
Ultimately, what type of photo might completely change how the world looks at an Olympic champion? As it is with many stars, she came under much scrutiny when she was a household name. Who knows what might have happened if the photograph hadn’t been circulated.
One Photo
On the Rise
As McKayla competed more, she continued to collect medals, both internationally and domestically. Fans of gymnastics were quite excited about having her represent the United States in the Olympics, and it was clear that her name was to be huge in the sport.
On The Rise
Caught off Guard
McKayla’s talents continued to shine forth, and her fame rose exponentially. However, the photo that got snapped in 2012 took the world by surprise. It had a lasting impact, and she didn’t know how it might affect her.
Caught Off Guard
A Household Name
She didn’t know how the photograph might become discussed and shared more than any other that year. Regardless of her feelings, no one can deny that the picture helped her become a household name, even beyond sports or the Olympics.
A Household Name
New Career Path
Using the newfound fame, McKayla made a dramatic shift in her career path. Did she have signs of making such a pivot before that photo was taken? It really seemed to come from nowhere!
New Career Path
Energetic Child
Maroney told one newspaper that she watched Tarzan as a younger child and ran around on all fours. Her mother knew this kid had to be in gymnastics because she was “crazy.”
Energetic Child
Her Potential
While her parents originally enrolled her in the sport to get out the extra energy, she took to it well. Talent runs in the family because her father played college football. Michael attended Purdue University and loved his time there.
Her Potential
Big Goals
Meanwhile, McKayla’s mother, Erin, was a figure skater in high school. Her parents knew that their daughter had that something special and had to support her talent. Therefore, they homeschooled her.
McKayla Maroney
Making Strides
With homeschooling, McKayla focused more time on gymnastics. She realized that her dream was to be at the Olympics, and she had to go as far as possible. She decided to move to a new gym that helped her with her goals.
Making Strides
International Fame
Her first competition was in 2009 at the Dallas Visa Championships. She took third place in the junior vault. In the CoverGirl Classic of 2010, she finished in second and took first place at the Visa Championships that year. Plus, she started making a name for herself internationally.
International Fame
Bring Home Gold
In the Pan American Championships of 2010, McKayla won gold in the floor and vault routines. Clearly, she was a contender for the 2012 Olympic games, which were just a few short years away.
Bringing Home Gold
The Motivation
In the weeks leading up to the London games, McKayla revealed that she had the motivation to get to the Olympics. It was what attracted her to the sport initially and propelled her amazing success.
The Motivation
Incredible Ability
She claimed that she enjoyed doing things that others couldn’t with their bodies. Ultimately, she can fly on certain things and flip in the air. Plus, she loved working hard on something she wanted and reaching her goal because it was the best feeling.
Incredible Ability
London Olympics
That finally brought her to the 2012 games, but that’s when things changed for McKayla. What was that context behind her photo? Why was it so popular? Here’s what led to the event that ended with that infamous picture.
London Olympics
A Japanese Win
Before the 2012 Olympics, she won three vault titles internationally. Her best success was from the World Championships in Japan. There, she finished first in the team and vault events, which was an incredible accomplishment.
A Japanese Win
The Sure Thing
There was no surprise when Maroney was the name everyone’s lips formed when they wondered who might bring the gold medal in the Olympics. She was sure to win gold for the USA team, and everything was set for her to become the hero!
The Sure Thing
The Slip-up
Nobody could ever have predicted what happened. Everything seemed good for McKayla at the beginning of her vault routine. On the second attempt, she ended up slipping, which left the door open for others to do better.
The Slip Up
Second Place
Sandra Izbasa capitalized on her fall, taking the top spot and the gold medal for Romania. McKayla settled for silver, which is still great. However, she didn’t feel that way and was quite upset.
Second Place
Unhappy
McKayla had been the favorite for gold and begrudgingly took silver. The medal ceremonies are always highly photographed, and everyone’s eyes are on the top three. Photographers captured her true feelings at that moment.
Unhappy
Her Face Says It All
When the silver medal was placed around her neck, she made a face that was immortalized in photographs forever. Her sour face projected her feelings, even though she won a prestigious award, too. The photograph went viral quickly!
Her Face Says It All
Sore Loser
She didn’t know how that moment might change her life forever and had no idea that the photo could spread like wildfire. With that, she didn’t think her facial expression was a big deal. It’s normal to be upset!
Sore Loser
Fleeting Moment
McKayla told Insider Magazine back in June 2014 that she remembered making the face for two seconds. In that time, she wondered to herself if she had made a face because it’s natural, and she does it frequently.
Fleeting Moment
Natural Expression
She continued with the magazine, saying it’s something she does. Even her friends saw the faux pas and didn’t notice it because she makes the face so much. They’re used to it, but the world wasn’t, so things blew up!
Natural Expression
The Meme Is Born
McKayla didn’t know what was happening online with the photograph, so her father had to tell her. She saw the meme that shook the internet, and the caption read, “McKayla isn’t Impressed.” It was inevitable for it to go viral.
The Meme Is Born
Going Viral
It didn’t matter what topic was being discussed; people photoshopped her unimpressed face onto anything to give visual commentary. What did McKayla think of everything? For starters, she didn’t understand why it was a big deal!
Going Viral
No Understanding
Maroney said that she didn’t understand the meme at the time. What did it mean? A few weeks later, it kept getting worse, and people started tweeting about her. She wanted everyone to let it go, and they couldn’t!
No Understanding
Own It Girl
After some time, she decided to embrace her meme instead of fighting about it. She then owned it and pulled the face on purpose. She posed with her face, and everyone believed she was a good sport.
Baby, Don’t Get Hooked On Me
Reflecting
Later, she said that she wasn’t apologetic about the ordeal. She was honest and expected to win gold and was showing her disappointment in an appropriate way. Ultimately, she was NOT impressed!
Reflecting
Why the Switch
If McKayla was fine with the photograph, why did she switch careers? This question was on the minds of so many people. However, she didn’t immediately leave. After the Olympics, she won three more vault titles in 2013, including one at the World Championship.
Why The Switch
Retiring from Gymnastics
McKayla announced in 2016 that she was officially retiring because of medical reasons. Because of her newfound online presence, she moved into show business. She knew she could accomplish her goals there, too.
Retiring From Gymnastics
Guest Appearance
Maroney chose to branch out into the entertainment business and made an onscreen debut with Hart of Dixie in 2012. With that, she made appearances in other television shows and chose to pursue a career in music.
Guest Appearance
Enjoying Her Life
McKayla could now pursue something that was less stressful and still enjoyable. She chose to trade gymnastics for acting because you can continue working on it. Ultimately, it was different, and you got many tries.
Enjoying Her Life
Expressing Herself
She claims that you can be more expressive in various ways when working with others as an actor. With gymnastics, you are an individual and on your own. However, she didn’t settle for acting and decided to try musical talent, too.
Expressing Herself
Pursuing Music
She claimed that she was only figuring out her sound now but had been writing songs for many years. Once she finished writing them, she thought about selling them and then decided to sing the songs herself.
Pursuing Music
The First Single
McKayla claimed to have done some demos before and wanted to show them to industry experts. Then, she decided to wait and see where that took her. She believed she could have a single out in a few months.
The First Single
Versatility
Unfortunately, that few months took four years before her first single was finally released. It was called Wake Up Call and was out on Twitter in March 2020. That showed everyone she was more than a meme or decorated gymnast.
Versatility
Her Second Single
In April 2020, she then released another single called COVID Lockdown. Her tweet told everyone it was a joke, but it makes her smile, and she thinks it could help others through the song, too.
Her Second Single
Another TV Spot
Back in December 2013, McKayla appeared in one episode of Bones. It was during season 9 and was called a Spark in the Park. It was about a gymnast named Ellie who was thought to have murdered a colleague.
Another TV Spot
Tough Times
This retired Olympian spoke out about the challenges she faced. Ultimately, she suffered from the Larry Nassar abuse and has chosen to speak out about her situation so that others know they have a voice, too.
Tough Times