Famous In The WorldLaurie Hernandez

Name: Lauren Zoe “Laurie” Hernandez

Introduction: Laurie Hernandez is an American artistic gymnast. She shot to international fame as a member of the “Final Five,” the U.S. women’s gymnastics team that won gold at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Known for her expressive performances and captivating smile, she also earned an individual silver medal and later won “Dancing with the Stars.”

Date of birth: June 9, 2000

Height: 5 feet 1 inch (1.55 m)

Place of birth: New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S. (She was raised in Old Bridge Township, New Jersey).

Family:

Parents’ names: Wanda Hernandez (mother) and Anthony Hernandez (father). Her grandparents emigrated from Puerto Rico, making her of Puerto Rican descent.
Siblings: Jelysa Hernandez (older sister) and Marcus Hernandez (older brother).
Partner: Charlotte Drury (former trampoline gymnast). They have been in a relationship since at least 2023. There is no public information about a formal marriage.
Children: No children.
Relatives: Her parents and siblings.

Profession: Artistic gymnast, author, public speaker, television personality. She is currently studying drama.

Nationality: American (of Puerto Rican descent)

Religion: She identifies as Christian and has spoken at Christian events and for Christian athlete organizations.

College or university attended: New York University (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts (started attending in 2023, studying drama and considering minoring in creative writing). She was homeschooled through a distance-learning program during her gymnastics career.

Biography and What Famous For:

Laurie Hernandez began gymnastics at age five, after initially taking ballet. She quickly excelled, progressing through the junior elite levels and overcoming injuries, including a knee injury in 2014, to return stronger.

She made her senior international debut in 2016, a pivotal year that would define her career.

Laurie Hernandez is most famous for her achievements at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games:

Team Gold Medal (“Final Five”): She was a crucial member of the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team, affectionately dubbed the “Final Five” (alongside Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman, and Madison Kocian), which won the team all-around gold medal by a significant margin. This cemented their place in gymnastics history.
Individual Silver Medal (Balance Beam): She earned a silver medal on the balance beam in the individual event finals, showcasing her grace and composure under pressure.
“The Human Emoji”: She became widely known by the nickname “The Human Emoji” due to her incredibly expressive facial expressions and captivating artistry during her floor exercise routines. Her joy and passion were infectious.

After the Olympics, Hernandez transitioned from competitive gymnastics, although she later made attempts at a comeback. She further increased her public profile by competing on “Dancing with the Stars” (Season 23) in late 2016. Paired with professional dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy, she captivated audiences with her dance skills and charisma, becoming the youngest champion in the show’s history at just 16 years old.

Beyond her athletic and entertainment careers, Hernandez is also:

An author: She released a New York Times bestselling autobiography, “I Got This: To Gold and Beyond” (2017), detailing her journey to the Olympics. She also wrote a children’s book, “She’s Got This.”
A public speaker and advocate: She uses her platform to discuss mental health, body image, and finding joy in life. She has also spoken about her Puerto Rican heritage and inspiring other young Latina athletes.
Pursuing acting: She has openly expressed her dream of working in entertainment and began studying drama at NYU in 2023.

Laurie Hernandez is celebrated for her remarkable gymnastics talent, her charismatic personality, and her inspiring message of resilience and self-acceptance.

Have participated (Selected Career Highlights and Appearances):

Gymnastics (Elite Career):

2015 U.S. Junior National Champion
2016 Pacific Rim Championships: Gold (Team), Gold (Balance Beam), Silver (All-around), Bronze (Uneven Bars)
2016 U.S. National Championships: Bronze (All-around), Bronze (Balance Beam), Bronze (Floor Exercise), Silver (Uneven Bars)
2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games: Gold (Team All-Around), Silver (Balance Beam)

Television/Media Appearances (Herself):