Jordan Chiles Faces Ghostwriting Controversy Amid Memoir Release

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles is at the center of a firestorm of debate following claims regarding the authorship of her newly released memoir, ‘I’m That Girl: Living the Power of My Dreams.’ The controversy ignited on March 13 when an X user suggested that the book was ‘almost certainly ghostwritten.’

The uproar stems from the book’s cover, which prominently features both Chiles’s name and that of Felice Laverne, a well-known ghostwriter. This double attribution led to questions about the authenticity of Chiles’s story, with many online users dissecting what it means for an author to share credit with a ghostwriter.

In her defense, Chiles’s mother, Gina Chiles, took to X to clarify the issue. In a spirited response to the original claim, she asserted, ‘Take a look at the cover… under her name… shows you who co-wrote it with her. She did in fact open Word documents for her book. I think ghostwriters are not acknowledged as writers or given credit on covers.’ She emphasized the notion that collaboration with a ghostwriter does not diminish the personal nature of the narrative.

The controversy stemmed further when another user challenged the memoir’s authenticity based on a specific line in the book connected to Jordan’s experience in competitive gymnastics. The line mentions a time when she did not qualify for the Worlds team despite placing second in the all-around category during a competition in 2017.

Gina Chiles defended her daughter, stating, ‘It’s the words embellishment and misleading that caught her attention. Notice how she ignored your “certain gymnast” cut. I’m glad you liked her book but nothing here is either of those words. It is how she felt. She was 16. It’s not about the athletes at all. 👀 Leadership.’

The internet frenzy continued to grow, with opinions divided on whether the memoir represents Chiles’s authentic voice or if it reflects outside influences. Some users expressed confusion about why Chiles would enlist a ghostwriter when her own narrative is powerful without embellishment.

Amid the chaos, Jordan herself responded briefly with a simple, ‘Huh?’, leaving many to wonder if she was genuinely surprised by the backlash or distancing herself from the controversy.

This situation reflects a broader discussion about authorship and authenticity in a world where collaborations often blur the lines of individual contributions. As the public grapples with this issue, attention turns to whether Chiles will address the allegations directly or choose to remain silent.

Gina Chiles has demonstrated unwavering support for her daughter throughout various criticisms, including when Jordan faced backlash after being controversially stripped of her bronze medal in the floor exercise at the Paris Olympics. She previously stated, ‘My daughter is a highly decorated Olympian with the biggest heart and a level of sportsmanship that is unmatched.’

In addition, Gina Chiles has taken proactive steps to support her daughter amidst controversies. On November 24, she announced the launching of the Jordan Chiles Leo Collection, aimed at selling Jordan’s collection of leotards ahead of her enrollment at UCLA. In her announcement, she reassured fans stating, ‘I’ve done this before for her this way & EVERYONE received their Leo,’ while dismissing concerns of any wrongdoing. This assertive stance reinforces her commitment to defending Jordan’s legacy and credibility.