USA gymnastics star Suni Lee made a truly heartwarming and inspiring appearance at the 2025 ESPY Awards, bringing along a very special date — the doctor who has been treating her for a kidney condition diagnosed in 2023.
Lee, a six-time Olympic medalist, walked the red carpet with her doctor, who helped her navigate her diagnosis, which led to her ending her college gymnastics career at Auburn University. She was excited to share the moment, telling ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi and Elle Duncan, “I’m so excited.
It’s her first time on a red carpet. So it’s really fun for the both of us. But she was the one person who actually believed in me whenever I was going through everything.”
Diagnosed with kidney disease in 2023, Lee’s diagnosis was a huge blow, and she even considered stepping away from gymnastics. Despite this, Lee defied the odds and made an incredible return to competition, securing three medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, proving herself as one of the most resilient athletes in the world.
“It was probably one of the hardest things that I’ve done,” Lee shared, recalling the moments when she doubted herself. “There were so many times where I wanted to quit gymnastics, and also I just didn’t believe in myself.”
Her comeback has been nothing short of awe-inspiring, and she’s now nominated for the Best Comeback Athlete category at the 2025 ESPYs. Lee, 22, said it felt surreal to be here after everything she’s overcome, especially after a doctor once told her she’d never be able to perform again.
“Having a doctor, quite literally, tell you that you’re never going to be able to do this again… it’s very heartbreaking,” she added, but her resilience led her to this extraordinary moment.
For the 2025 ESPY Awards, Lee dazzled in a glittering Oscar de la Renta gown from the fall/winter 2025 collection. The high-slit gown, covered in sequins, shimmered under the lights, and Lee completed her look with metallic heels and long side-parted waves. It was a perfect choice to celebrate her incredible journey and achievements.
When asked about her potential for the 2028 Olympic Games, Lee remained coy, but expressed excitement for the future, especially seeing the growth of women’s sports. “I’m really excited to see how they’re all going to work up to it and keep building from that,” she said. “It’s been really amazing to see the upcoming of all women’s sports.”
Known for her signature “budge-proof” competition glam, Lee has become a beauty icon, gaining recognition in the industry for her viral lip combo and stunning nails. As a brand ambassador for Kiss’s Salon X-tend collection, she shared her love for beauty in a 2024 Zoom interview, revealing her go-to beauty products, including Make Up For Ever lip liners, which she uses to create her iconic lip look.
Lee also made waves in the fashion world after her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut, where she showcased her athletic figure and Olympic rings tattoo in colorful swimsuits.
She continued her sparkling fashion streak with appearances at the F1 movie premiere and the 2025 Gold Gala, where she was honored for her achievements in sports and gaming.
As for her future, Lee is looking ahead to the 2025 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, where she hopes to bring her A-game and continue inspiring athletes and fans alike.
