Simone Biles Tackles Her Trolls In New, Empowering Short Film Series From SK-II

Simone Biles: boundary-breaking Olympic gymnast, multi-hyphenate role model and, like so many of us, not immune to the scrutiny of internet trolls. 

In a new animated film titled VS Trolls, SK-II and Biles explore the way pressure from outside voices can affect our self-worth.

The VS Series comes from SK-IIs first film studio division aptly named SK-II Studio which was founded with the specific aim to explore and break down social pressures faced by women today. Each episode in the series is helmed by a different director and spans myriad genres and animation styles.

Biless episode is just one within SK-IIs overall, six-episode VS Series, which merges animation and live action with meaningful storytelling. Set to a vibrant, pulsing score, each episode focuses on a different Olympic athlete as they challenge their own inner demons (trolls, pressure, image obsession, rules, limitations, machinelike mindsets). 

The episode was directed by Passion Picturess Jon Saunders and Anh Vu. 

Taking an abstract approach, the series presents these pressures onscreen in the form of kaijus strange beasts in Japanese that our Olympic heroines must face head-on. 

Biless VS Trolls episode also features a few Easter eggs laid out for eagle-eyed fans of the gymnast; Biless Dancing With the Stars dress gets a cameo, as does her real-life French bulldog Lilo. 

The medals featured in the episodes trophy cabinet scene reflect the actual number of medals Simone had under her belt at the time of production and a real-life note from Biless mother also gets a supporting role.  

Biless battle with the rigid confines of beauty standards holds a central tie to SK-IIs overall #ChangeDestiny campaign, which is inspired by the stories of women from around the world. The series is meant to shed light on the pressures women face and the universal box they are put in to be perfect in societys eyes.

For every audience view of SK-II Studio films, the brand will donate $1 to the #ChangeDestiny Fund in support of women pursuing their destiny to create positive change (participating organizations will be announced at a later date).

Watch all six powerful VS Series films at SK-II.com , then head backstage in the brands virtual SK-II City . Inspired by the streets of Tokyo, SK-II City offers an exclusive tour of the thrilling world of each superhero Olympic athlete in the VS Series.