Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Gabby Douglas

How Gabby Douglas built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Gabrielle Douglas is an accomplished American artistic gymnast, celebrated for her achievements at both the Olympic and World Championship levels. She secured the Olympic all-around title in 2012 and a World all-around silver medal in 2015. Douglas contributed to the gold-medal-winning U.S. teams at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics, known as the 'Fierce Five' and 'Final Five,' respectively. Her success extends to the World Championships, where she was a member of the gold-winning American teams in 2011 and 2015. Moreover, she claimed the 2012 U.S. national title on uneven bars and the 2016 American Cup all-around title, showcasing her versatility and skill.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2004: Virginia State Championships

In 2004, at the age of eight, Gabby Douglas won the Level 4 all-around gymnastics title at the Virginia State Championships.

2007: Shawn Johnson World Champion

In 2007, Shawn Johnson becomes the World Champion, eventually leading Chow to become the coach for Gabby Douglas.

2008: International Debut and Visa Championships

In 2008, Gabby Douglas made her international debut at the US Classic in Houston, Texas, placing 10th in the all-around rankings. She also competed at the 2008 Visa Championships in Boston, Massachusetts, placing 16th and not qualifying for the Junior Women's National Team.

2008: Shawn Johnson Summer Olympics gold medalist

In 2008, Shawn Johnson becomes the Summer Olympics gold medalist, eventually leading Chow to become the coach for Gabby Douglas.

2009: Injury and Limited Competition

In 2009, Gabby Douglas suffered a fracture in the growth plate of her hand (wrist), causing her to miss the 2009 Covergirl US Classic. She competed at the 2009 Visa Championships in Dallas, Texas, but could only perform on balance beam and floor exercise.

2010: Pan American Championships

At the 2010 Pan American Championships in Guadalajara, Mexico, Gabby Douglas won the uneven bars title and a share of the U.S. team gold medal. She also placed fifth all-around.

2010: U.S. Junior National Championships

At the 2010 U.S. Junior National Championships, Gabby Douglas won the silver medal on balance beam, placed fourth all-around and on vault, and tied for eighth on floor exercise.

2010: Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup

In 2010, Gabby Douglas competed at the Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup, a televised Level 10 meet held in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she placed fourth all-around.

2010: CoverGirl Classic

In 2010, Gabby Douglas's first elite meet was the 2010 CoverGirl Classic in Chicago, Illinois, where she placed third on balance beam, 6th on vault, and 9th all-around in the junior division.

2011: U.S. National Championships

At the 2011 U.S. National Championships in St. Paul, Minnesota, Gabby Douglas tied for third on bars and placed seventh all-around.

December 2012: Book Release and MTV Appearance

In December 2012, Gabby Douglas released her autobiography, "Grace, Gold, and Glory: My Leap of Faith," which debuted at number four on The New York Times Young Adult Bestseller List. She also performed at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards during a performance by Alicia Keys and Nicki Minaj.

Grace, Gold, and Glory My Leap of Faith

Check it on Amazon

2012: 2012 Summer Olympics

At the 2012 Summer Olympics gymnastics event in London, Gabby Douglas and her teammates won the team event gold medal and she became the first African-American woman to win the individual all-around gold, also becoming the first American gymnast ever to win both the team and individual all-around gold at the same Olympics.

2012: Last Time on Senior National Team

Gabby Douglas was named to the Senior National Team for the first time since 2012.

2012: Olympic all-around champion

In 2012, Gabby Douglas became the Olympic all-around champion and a member of the gold-winning team, known as the "Fierce Five."

2012: Olympic Gold Medals

In 2012, Gabby Douglas became the first African American to win an Olympic individual all-around title. She also became the first U.S. gymnast to win gold in both individual all-around and team competitions at the same Olympics.

2012: Pacific Rim Championships and U.S. National Championships

In 2012, Gabby Douglas was part of the gold-winning U.S. team at the Pacific Rim Championships, where she also won gold in uneven bars. At the 2012 U.S. National Championships in June, Douglas won the gold medal in uneven bars, silver in the all-around, and bronze in floor. She was also nicknamed the "Flying Squirrel".

August 12, 2013: Guest Appearance on "Kickin' It"

On August 12, 2013, Gabby Douglas had a small acting role on the Disney XD series "Kickin' It" in the episode "Gabby's Gold".

August 2013: Move to Los Angeles

In August 2013, Gabby Douglas left Missy Parton's home and moved to Los Angeles to be with her family, expressing her intention to compete in the 2016 Olympics.

2013: Departure from Los Angeles in summer 2013

Gabby Douglas had departed from Los Angeles in summer 2013.

February 1, 2014: "The Gabby Douglas Story" Aired on Lifetime

On February 1, 2014, "The Gabby Douglas Story" aired on Lifetime, starring Imani Hakim, with Gabby Douglas performing all the gymnastic stunts herself.

April 2014: Return to Chow's Gymnastics

In April 2014, Gabby Douglas returned to Iowa to train once more with Coach Chow in an attempt to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

November 25, 2014: Return to U.S. National Team

On November 25, 2014, Gabby Douglas was added back to the U.S. national team, along with Olympic teammate Aly Raisman and former Chow's Gymnastics teammate Rachel Gowey.

2014: The Gabby Douglas Story

In 2014, Gabby Douglas's life story was adapted into a Lifetime biopic film titled "The Gabby Douglas Story," and she acquired her own reality television series, "Douglas Family Gold". She also wrote a book about her life.

2014: Leaving Chow's and Joining Buckeye Gymnastics

In mid-July 2014, Gabby Douglas left Chow's Gymnastics & Dance Institute. By August, she began training under Kittia Carpenter at Buckeye Gymnastics in Genoa Township, Ohio.

March 2015: Return to International Competition

In March 2015, Gabby Douglas returned to international competition at the 2015 City of Jesolo Trophy in Jesolo, Italy. She helped the USA win gold in the team competition and placed 4th all-around.

October 8, 2015: Selection for World Championship Team

On October 8, 2015, Gabby Douglas was selected as a member of the 2015 US Women's World Championship team. She was also named to the Senior National Team for the first time since 2012 and received an invite to the 2015 Worlds Selection Camp in September.

November 13, 2015: Participation in 2016 AT&T American Cup Revealed

On November 13, 2015, it was revealed that Gabby Douglas would participate in the 2016 AT&T American Cup in Newark, New Jersey. This was confirmed on December 17, 2015.

December 17, 2015: Confirmation of Participation in 2016 AT&T American Cup

On December 17, 2015, it was confirmed that Gabby Douglas would participate in the 2016 AT&T American Cup in Newark, New Jersey.

2015: World Artistic Gymnastics Championships

At the 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, Gabby Douglas was part of the U.S. team that won the gold medal. She won the silver in the all-around, becoming the first reigning Olympic all-around champion since 2001 to return to the sport and win a world championships medal.

2015: Aiming for Worlds 2015

In 2014, after joining Buckeye Gymnastics, it was announced that Gabby Douglas would train with the goal of returning in time for Worlds 2015, delaying her return to competition at the 2014 national championships.

2015: World all-around silver medalist

In 2015, Gabby Douglas became the World all-around silver medalist and a member of the gold-winning team at the World Championships.

2015: Reality TV Show Commissioned

In 2015, it was announced that a reality television show for the Oxygen channel had been commissioned to follow Gabby Douglas and her family's life, issued under the working title Douglas Family Gold.

March 2016: 2016 City of Jesolo Trophy

In March 2016, following her win at the 2016 AT&T American Cup, Gabby Douglas participated at the 2016 City of Jesolo Trophy, where she won the all-around title.

May 25, 2016: "Douglas Family Gold" Show Premiered

On May 25, 2016, the reality show "Douglas Family Gold" premiered, following the life of Gabby Douglas and her family.

August 23, 2016: Miss America Pageant Judge

On August 23, 2016, it was announced that Gabby Douglas would be one of the judges at the 2017 Miss America pageant.

2016: 2016 Summer Olympics

In 2016, Gabby Douglas was a member of the gold-winning team at the Summer Olympics, referred to as the "Final Five" by the media. She was also the 2016 American Cup all-around champion.

2016: Attempt to Qualify for 2016 Olympics

In April 2014, Gabby Douglas returned to Iowa to train once more with Coach Chow in an attempt to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

2016: Announcement of Participation in 2016 AT&T American Cup

In November 2015, it was revealed that Gabby Douglas would participate in the 2016 AT&T American Cup in Newark, New Jersey.

2016: 2016 Summer Olympics Qualification

On August 7, 2016, Gabby Douglas competed in the Women's Qualification at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. She scored a 15.166 on the vault, a 15.766 on the uneven bars, a 14.833 on the balance beam, and a 14.366 on the floor exercise. She narrowly missed advancing to the all-around final.

2016: Named to 2016 Olympics Team

On July 10, 2016, Gabby Douglas was named to the team for the 2016 Olympics, alongside Simone Biles, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian, and Aly Raisman. She and Raisman became part of a select group of American gymnasts to compete in two Olympics.

2017: Miss America Pageant Judge

On August 23, 2016, it was announced that Gabby Douglas would be one of the judges at the 2017 Miss America pageant.

May 11, 2018: Appearance on Undercover Boss

On May 11, 2018, Gabby Douglas appeared disguised as a gray-haired, aspiring gym owner in a "Celebrity Edition" episode of Undercover Boss.

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2020: Team Called Themselves "Final Five"

In 2020, Gabby Douglas and her teammates helped the United States win a second consecutive gold medal in the team event at the Olympics. When the team final scores were announced, Douglas and her teammates called themselves the "Final Five" in honor of coach Marta Karolyi's retirement and the team size being reduced to four beginning in 2020.

2020: Winner of The Masked Dancer

In 2020, Gabby Douglas competed on The Masked Singer spin-off The Masked Dancer as "Cotton Candy" and was declared the winner of the season.

October 2022: Returns to Training at WOGA

In October 2022, gymnastics media outlets reported that Gabby Douglas had recently returned to training at WOGA.

November 2022: Photograph Fuels Comeback Rumors

In November 2022, a photograph surfaced online showing Gabby Douglas training at WOGA with other athletes, further fueling rumors of a possible comeback to gymnastics.

February 2023: WOGA Coach Confirms Douglas Training

In February 2023, WOGA coach Valeri Liukin confirmed to NBC that Gabby Douglas has been training at his gym, signaling a potential return to competition.

July 2023: Douglas Confirms Comeback

In July 2023, Gabby Douglas confirmed via Instagram that she had resumed training with the goal of competing at the 2024 Olympics.

May 2024: Withdrawal from Olympic Team Competition

In May 2024, Gabby Douglas was injured during training and withdrew from competing for a spot on the Olympic team in Paris.

2024: Winter Cup Withdrawal

In 2024, Gabby Douglas was slated to make her competitive return in February at the Winter Cup. However, she withdrew after testing positive for COVID-19 two days prior to the competition. After her withdrawal from the Winter Cup, it was briefly reported that she was no longer training at WOGA but she returned to WOGA after two weeks.

2024: American Classic Performance

In 2024, Gabby Douglas's first competition since the Rio Olympics was the American Classic in Katy. She finished in second place on the vault, but made mistakes on uneven bars and floor exercise and finished with an all-around score of 50.650, short of the 51.000 score needed to qualify to the all-around at the national championships.