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Olympic Gymnast Laurie Hernandez: 25 Things You Don’t Know About Me (My Hidden Talent Is the Robot!)

Laurie Hernandez
Laurie Hernandez reacts after competing in the Balance Beam Final on day 10 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena on August 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Laurie Hernandez competed alongside Simone Biles on Monday, August 15, in the beam finals at the Rio Olympics, where she snagged second place. The 16-year-old has no problem letting her personality shine on the gymnastics stage, but she shared even more about herself with Us Weekly in this list of 25 things you don’t know about her. 

1. My hidden talent is doing the robot.

2. I can’t live without my phone!

3. My biggest fear is spiders.

4. My athlete idol is Usain Bolt. He’s inhumanly fast!

5. My teammates make me laugh and giggle until I can’t breathe.

6. People would be surprised to know I had a flip phone until 2015. (LOL!)

7. The musician I love the most is Tori Kelly.

8. I have overcome injuries in the sport of gymnastics.

9. My greatest inspiration is my coach Maggie Haney.

Related: PHOTOS: Here’s What Rio Olympic Athletes Will Wear

10. Before Rio, I was most excited to spend four weeks straight laughing and working out with the girls!

11. Jennifer Lawrence is my favorite actress.

12. On Sundays, I just love to go to church and then relax the whole day!

13. Right now, my biggest celeb crush is Dave Franco.

14. A rough memory from gymnastics was going to a selection camp and ripping two pairs of grips in one day.

15. I must have these five things in my gym bag at all times: grips, tape, wrist guards, knee brace and my calming peppermint oil.

16. My motto in life is to embrace every moment.

17. I say “Yo!” way too much.

18. I am terrible at turns; hence my single passé turn on floor and beam.

Related: PHOTOS: Olympic Athletes: Where Are They Now?

19. My most memorable gymnastics moment was being named to the 2016 Rio Olympics team!

20. I pamper myself by using bath bombs.

21. The first thing I plan to do after the Games is stay up all night celebrating with my teammates!

22. My coach and my family keep me grounded through this journey.

23. My advice for young girls pursuing a dream is to never give up, no matter what!

24. I cheer for the New York Giants because my dad tells me to.

25. My cheat meal was an In-N-Out burger after the second day of Olympic trials.

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