OLYMPIC hero Simone Biles left fans divided following her appearance at the Kentucky Derby.

, 28, performed the traditional “Riders up”; call, signalling the jockeys to climb aboard their horses before the iconic race.

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 03: Simone Biles attends Kentucky Derby 151 at Churchill Downs on May 03, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)Simone Biles split opinion with her ‘Riders up’ introLOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 03: Simone Biles attends Kentucky Derby 151 at Churchill Downs on May 03, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)Biles kicked off this year’s Kentucky Derby

The seven-time champion donned a lavender dress and matching hat as she was flanked by local law enforcement and looked into the camera to deliver the message.

Biles said: “Ladies and gentlemen, the city of Louisville, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and sports fans from around the world have been waiting for this moment.”;

The famous then gave the signal in an excited tone as she blew a kiss to the camera.

Biles’ performance split opinion as there were some that thought she sounded too different.

One fan posted: “It was cringey.. She doesn’t normally talk like that. Right? Haha maybe she does IDK.”;

Another commented: “Simone Biles, wow, please don’t do that again lol!”;

And a third wrote: “Oh, that’s a little over the top.”;

But there were also a lot of people who praised Biles’ performance on social media.

One fan posted: “Pretty amazing to have one of the greatest Olympians of all time, Simone Biles, doing the ‘Riders up’ call for the .”;

Another commented: “Great job at the Derby!!!”;

And a third wrote: “Simone Biles doing it right at the #KentuckyDerby.”;