Suni Lee is uncertain about competing in 2028 Olympics, says ‘I’m just living my life’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Six-time Olympic medalist Suni Lee is embracing a new chapter in her life in New York City.

Nearly three months after helping Team USA secure gold in the gymnastics team final at the Paris Olympics, along with bronzes in the uneven bars and all-around, the 21-year-old gymnast is setting fresh goals outside the gym.

Suni Lee reflects on Olympic success and new beginnings in NYC

“It's been really fun here,” Suni Lee tells PEOPLE, while discussing her partnership with all free clear laundry detergent. “I'm just so grateful to be able to be living here, and it's just been such an amazing experience getting to do all of these opportunities, but also getting to meet so many amazing people.”

Among those is Beyonce, whom she connected with at the Glamour’s Women of the Year gala. Lee enthusiastically remarked, “I never thought I would ever meet.  “It's like, Queen."

After reaching the pinnacle of her sport at the Tokyo Olympics and winning gold in the all-around, Lee faced significant challenges, including battling two separate kidney diseases and struggling with self-doubt before the Paris Olympics.

“I think that I am always really nervous, but I think this time around I was more nervous because it was having to deal with the pressure of being the reigning Olympic champion and then also dealing with the health issues and then just being scared that I wasn't ready,” Lee explains.

“I think last Olympics, I felt a lot more ready going into it, whereas this one, I was kind of rushed and not really mentally prepared.”

Suni Lee draws strength from teammates and inspires others through new partnership

Suni Lee leaned on her teammates, including Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles, for support at the Paris Olympics.

“They were like, ‘No, you need to walk in and act like you are the reigning Olympic champion, because you look scared,’” Lee recalls about the hours before the team took the mat at Bercy Arena in Paris.

“And that's something that's stuck with me because I'm like, ‘Oh my gosh, you're so right. I am scared to be here.’ But we all deserve to be there at the end of the day.”

Ultimately, Lee added three Olympic medals to her career total and credits Biles for being an “amazing mentor".

“I mean, I've looked up to her for as long as I can remember, since I've been doing gymnastics, elite gymnastics especially, and it's just really cool to see that she's as good a person as she is an athlete,” she said.

Now, Lee is paying it forward by encouraging others through her partnership with all free clear detergent.

“I think growing up, I've always had really sensitive skin, so it was always really important to me to work on my skincare routine,” Lee, who has eczema, shares.

“And I feel like the one thing that I want to get across in partnering with them is to empower those with sensitive skin to live confidently and share that your skincare can start in the laundry room, because I didn't know that."

"So whenever I started doing that and it helped me a lot, I felt like it was something that I needed to share, especially because I always share makeup and skincare tips," said Lee.

Suni Lee embraces life beyond gymnastics while eyeing new opportunities

A professed fashionista, Suni Lee is taking her new life in NYC—where she is currently not in gymnastics training—“day by day".

“I'm just living my life,” she said. “I've never really been without gymnastics, so this is completely brand new to me, and I'm still figuring out a routine and learning all the places, but it's been really fun.”

The past few years for Lee have been hectic. With her health in a good place, the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles are far from her mind, she admits. Lee is focusing on a different track for herself, which could include a foray into the fashion world, while also basking in her accomplishments.

“It's been crazy,” she said. “I mean, I've literally been traveling all over the place, so I really haven't had time to just kind of settle."

"But looking back, I'm just so proud of myself for making it onto the team. It's been such a crazy year, so I'm really, really proud of myself.”