Suni Lee knows how to stick the landing — whether it’s on a balance beam, a red carpet, or a major personal milestone.
The 22-year-old gymnast made history as the first Hmong American Olympian, dazzled the world with her gold medal win in Tokyo, and faced down serious health challenges with the same poise she brings to the podium. Last night at the 2025 ESPY Awards, Lee accepted the honor of “Best Comeback Athlete,” marking not just a return to form but a full-circle transformation.
But before the trophy, of course, came the glam. For her red carpet moment, Lee wore an Oscar de la Renta gown in liquid gold — a nod, she says, to another icon.
“My original inspiration was a photo I saw of Beyoncé in a gold dress,” Lee tells GRAZIA USA. The image in question? Beyoncé at the 2004 BRIT Awards in a gilded Dolce & Gabbana gown. “After that, I became obsessed with finding the one, and I’m so happy this came together for such a fun night like the ESPYs.”
Here, Lee opens her beauty bag, playlist queue, and heart — offering an intimate look at her red carpet prep, her evolving relationship with fashion, and why Zendaya and her mom remain her twin sources of inspiration.
GETTING READY: THE GOLDEN GIRL ERA
On the vision for the look:
“My amazing glam team and I decided to go in a very ‘golden girl’ direction, which was really exciting since I typically lean into a more natural look. I love how the blown-out hair and bronzey makeup really completed the Oscar de la Renta gown, yet still let it shine.”
On working with stylist Brian Meller:
“He always encourages me to trust my gut and pick what makes me feel the best, which I really appreciate. It can get so overwhelming, and I am so lucky to have his insight and guidance.”
On her red carpet MVP:
“I’ve always loved Zendaya’s red carpet moments. She’s just so fearless with her fashion and always looks confident, no matter what she’s wearing. That’s really inspiring to me, because as an athlete, I’m used to feeling confident in competition gear, but expressing myself through fashion is still new for me. Watching her own every look reminds me that confidence is really the best accessory you can have.”
Clutch essentials?
“I would definitely say my lip combo — and then some gum or mints. Specifically for a red carpet, since I’m talking a lot, haha! So crucial.”
Texts in the glam chair:
“Definitely my mom and best friends! I always need a little boost of encouragement from the people closest to me before a big event like the ESPYs, and I appreciate them so much for keeping me entertained and distracting me from any nerves.”
Getting ready playlist:
“Anything Drake or SZA is my go-to! I pretty much always have them on shuffle.”
THE COMEBACK
On being named Best Comeback Athlete:
“It means the absolute world to me. I remember not even knowing if I would ever be able to participate in gymnastics again, and to go from that to now — being nominated alongside the other amazing athletes — it’s just unbelievable. I am so grateful.”
On what’s changed mentally:
“Having confidence in myself has truly changed everything for me. I see so much more progress when I trust my abilities and strength — both mental and physical.”
On representing her community:
“I hope young Asian American girls see themselves as the strong, capable, and powerful women I know they are. I’ve always wanted to be the representation I wished to see, and now that I’m here, I hope to encourage and inspire as much as possible.”
STYLE, CITY, AND SELFHOOD
On being the first Hmong American Olympian:
“It is totally what keeps me going! Little Suni would never believe the place we’re currently in, and she reminds me every day to keep pushing the boundaries of what I thought possible.”
NYC vs. Minnesota Suni:
“It’s so funny because there’s totally a vibe change between when I’m in NYC versus home in Minnesota. ‘NYC Suni’ is very independent and self-sufficient, and when I’m ‘Minnesota Suni,’ I want to be surrounded by friends and family, eating the amazing Hmong food my mom is cooking. I love both versions!”
On her personal style evolution:
“I’ve definitely leaned more into the street style that New York is so known for since being here. Since I’ve been working with Brian, he’s really elevated my day-to-day thought process when picking out clothes. I think my style evolution has a lot to do with just growing up and maturing as well — I definitely lean more toward timeless pieces than I ever have.”
On her dream red carpet risk:
“Maybe a shorter haircut… that one always makes me nervous, but I’m so curious!”
BEYOND THE GYM
On her advocacy work with the American Kidney Fund:
“My work with the American Kidney Fund is deeply personal — not only because of the diagnosis I’m living with, but truly due to all of the incredible people who also struggle with this every day and don’t have the proper resources provided. One of the hardest parts is knowing it’s something I’ll carry for the rest of my life. That’s why the American Kidney Fund’s Know Your Kidneys, Know Your Cause initiative means so much to me. AKF is helping people understand the underlying cause of their kidney disease so they can better manage it and slow its progression. Until I went through this myself, I didn’t realize how difficult it can be to even get a proper diagnosis. I’m a professional athlete with an incredible team supporting my health, and even I struggled to get answers — so I can only imagine how hard it is for others without that kind of support.”
On redefining success:
“I used to pay a lot of attention to the instant gratification that can come with practice, training, and ultimately winning a competition. Now that I have come out the other side, I really see the value in slowing down and being intentional with my energy. Success isn’t measured by the speed at which it comes, which has been a great learning lesson for me.”
Bucket list goal that has nothing to do with medals?
“I know I live in New York City and don’t need one, but something that has always been on my bucket list is to own a car!”
What the next chapter looks like:
“I would love for it to be about fun and quality time with the people I love! My life has been a rollercoaster up until this point, and I’m loving being able to put my focus on lighter things. My story is constantly evolving, and I’m so excited to see where that takes me in the future.”
Suni Lee may be best known for her gravity-defying routines, but her greatest strength might just be staying grounded. With gold in her step and purpose in her stride, her comeback isn’t just complete — it’s radiant.
Photography by Sarah Krick, Styling by Brian Meller, Hair by Irinel de Leon, Makeup by Maria Vargas
