Update: The unlikely friendship between Simone Biles and Zac Efron is a story of serendipity, celebration, and genuine connection that began with a seemingly accidental kiss.

Simone Biles re-announced herself as the greatest American gymnast of all time at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games by claiming her fifth gold medal for Team USA Tuesday.

The american gymnast featured in the women’s team final alongside her fellow compatriots Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, Hezly Rivera and Sunisa Lee and with the absence of the French gymnasts the crowd has their clear favourite.

Many celebrities were in attendance to watch the gymnast sensation claim her eight overall Olympic medal, whilst those who couldn’t be in the crowd to support the 27-year-old took to their social media accounts to congratulate her.

One being Hollywood actor Zac Efron, which is not surprising as the two go way back to 2016, when Biles featured in her first Olympic Games.

Here is everything you need to know about Simone Biles and Zac Efron’s unlikely friendship which blossomed by chance.

The 36-year-old shared a congratulatory message to Biles and her Team USA teammates after their historic win.

‘So incredibly proud of you @simonebiles,’ he shared to his 61.6 followers on his Instagram story.

Accompanied by three emojis, the hand heart emoji, the gold medal and goat, alluding to her status as the greatest of all time in the sport.

This isn’t the first time, Efron has shown his support for the decorated Olympian, exactly eight years ago, the actor flew out to the Rio Games to surprise Biles after her Olympic success

The pair famously met back in 2016 on an episode of TODAY, when Biles was just 19-years-old.

Efron’s unlikely trip to Rio to support Biles in Rio came about after the then 19-year-old expressed her adoration for the actor throughout the competition, with the ‘Final Five’ star jokingly said that she and her teammates needed Efron for the final.

‘OK, Zac Efron, I think we need you here at the team final because we’ll all get to be there,’ she said into the camera for TODAY

And we need you to come watch.’ she added.

Her plea was heard and just seven days later, Efron surprised Biles in Rio de Janeiro.

During a segment on TODAY where they were celebrating the 19-year-olds accomplishments, Efron stunned the gymnast by appearing in front of her, fitted in a Team USA shirt.

‘Stop, you’re lying,’ Biles said unable to grasp that she was in the presence of the actor.

‘Stop, no way, no way.

‘Ahhh, oh my God! Stop, is this real life? Oh my God. Stop.’

The two then shared a lovely exchange, with Efron giving Biles a big hug, posing for photos as well, even stunning Biles and making her blush by asking if he could kiss her cheek

Efron later revealed that he started watching and following Team USA in the Olympics as he was ‘immediately captivated by these girls and what they were doing.’

‘Their story just blew my mind,’ he added.

‘When I found out Simone and this team were fans, I was like, ‘What kind of guy am I if I don’t show up?’