Hospitalized Gabby Douglas Misses Out on Final Five's Epic VMAs Night
The “Final Five” gymnastics dream team was down one during the MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday night.
Madison Kocian, Aly Raisman, Simone Biles and Laurie Hernandez appear at the 2016 MTV VMAs minus Final Five teammate Gabby Douglas. (Image: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images)Set to present megastar Beyoncé with the female video award during the program, gymnastics gold medalists Simone Biles, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian and Aly Raisman, who dominated the 2016 Rio Games, were missing their teammate Gabby Douglas who was hospitalized.
Douglas posted a photo of herself getting some bed rest in a hotel room on Sunday with a message that did not disclose her ailment: “Out of the hospital & resting comfortably! #FinalFive so sad I can't be with u all to present tonite😩 @MTV thank u❣ xoxo 💋 #VMAs.”
Out of the hospital & resting comfortably! #FinalFive so sad I can't be with u all to present tonite😩 @MTV thank u❣ xoxo 💋 #VMAs #myview
A photo posted by Gabby Douglas (@gabbycvdouglas) on Aug 28, 2016 at 3:14pm PDT
Her publicist later told People.com that she had to return to the hospital on Sunday night, however: “Gabby is back in the hospital tonight being treated for a seriously infected past mouth injury. She continues to have deep swelling and adverse reactions to medications.”
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Biles gave an update to People from the red carpet: “I think she's feeling a little better, but she's staying home as a precaution. We're sad she couldn't be here to enjoy this with us. We miss her!”
Beyoncé accepts the female video award as the Olympic champions look on. (Image: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images)Fun at the VMAs With the Final Five
The Olympic champions took to social media to celebrate their night of fun, with Raisman posting a note to Instagram with a photo of the four, wishing her teammate well.
“We missed you @gabbycvdouglas we hope you're feeling better ❤️”
We missed you @gabbycvdouglas we hope you're feeling better ❤️
A photo posted by Alexandra Raisman (@alyraisman) on Aug 28, 2016 at 9:30pm PDT
With Queen B…
QUEEN B 😍👑😭❤️
A photo posted by Simone Biles (@simonebiles) on Aug 29, 2016 at 3:56am PDT
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Ariana Grande…
💋💋💋💋💋💋
A photo posted by Laurie Hernandez (@lauriehernandez_) on Aug 28, 2016 at 8:33pm PDT
And Kim Kardashian…
selfie with Kim ✔️😍 just as beautiful in person
A photo posted by Simone Biles (@simonebiles) on Aug 29, 2016 at 3:50am PDT
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And rapper G Eazy who performed with Britney Spears…
SHE KEPT SAYING G EAZY IS HER FAVORITE RAPPER 😜😈 @G_eazy
A video posted by Simone Biles (@simonebiles) on Aug 28, 2016 at 9:27pm PDT
MTV celebrated the athletes in Twitter posts and a short video.
The US gymnasts had more fun than anyone else at the #VMAs: https://t.co/fbwQXFQNwe
- MTV News (@MTVNews) August 29, 2016
What do I have to do for a Beyoncé hug???
- MTV (@MTV) August 29, 2016
#VMAs https://t.co/qJ4jz1UIwD
Little music vid with the girls last night😉 thanks MTV!
A video posted by Laurie Hernandez (@lauriehernandez_) on Aug 29, 2016 at 7:41am PDT
And shared why Beyoncé is QUEEN! Her VMA performance was over 16 minutes of uninterrupted, undiluted female ferocity.
I think I need a moment after watching @beyonce's #VMA performance https://t.co/lYVFfrIenO
- MTV (@MTV) August 29, 2016
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Controversy Dogs Douglas
Douglas suffered from criticism during the Olympics for not putting her hand over her heart during the U.S. national anthem and for not appearing supportive enough when in the stands watching her teammates Biles and Raisman compete in the all-around individual, which she did not qualify for.
Her mom finally took a stand against cyber-bulling Douglas was enduring while at the games. “Gabrielle's had her heart broken,” Natalie Hawkins said in an interview with Reuters in mid-August.
"She's had to deal with people criticizing her hair, or people accusing her of bleaching her skin,” Hawkins related. “They said she had breast enhancements, they said she wasn't smiling enough, she's unpatriotic. Then it went to not supporting your team mates. Now you're 'Crabby Gabby.'
"You name it and she got trampled. What did she ever do to anyone?"
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What Do YOU Think?
Did you watch the MTV VMA Awards? What did you think of the Final Five's appearance? What did you think of Douglas's treatment during the Olympic Games? Tell us in the comments!
