Laurie Hernandez
Laurie is known for her dazzling floor exercise routine where she has been nicknamed the “human emoji” for her outgoing facial expressions and for her grace and artistry on the balance beam.
She is a second generation American, as her grandparents are from Puerto Rico, making her the first U.S. born Latina to make the U.S. team since 1984. Laurie credits her parents for her hard work, leadership skills, and "never give up" attitude.
Since bringing home the Gold and Silver medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Laurie has gone on to win the coveted Mirrorball Trophy on “Dancing with the Stars” Season 23 and her first book titled “I Got This: To Gold and Beyond” chronicling her journey thus far was published in January 2017, hitting the New York Times Best Sellers list. In October of 2018, she released a children’s picture book “She’s Got This” with Harper Collins Children's books that made the New York Times Best Sellers List.
When not in the gym, Laurie enjoys spending time with her family which includes her Mom and Dad, her older brother, and older sister. She travels the country speaking to the next generation about following your dreams and is a fierce advocate for the importance of Mental Health awareness.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Two-time New York Times Best Selling Author
- “Dancing with the Stars” Live! Tour
- “Dancing with the Stars” Season 23 Champion
- 2016 Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions
- 2016 Rio Olympic Games: Team Gold; Beam Silver
- 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials: All-Around Silver; Beam Gold; Floor Bronze
- 2016 National Championships: All-Around Bronze; Floor Bronze; Beam Bronze; Uneven Bar Bronze
- 2016 Pac Rim Championships: Team Gold; All-Around Bronze
- 2016 City of Jesolo Trophy: Team Gold; All-Around Bronze; Beam Gold; Vault Silver
- 2015 Junior National Champion
- 2015 U.S. Classic Champion
- 2015 City of Jesolo Trophy: Junior All-Around Champion; Uneven Bar Gold; Floor Gold
- 2015 International Junior Japan Meet: All-Around Champion, Vault Gold, Floor Exercise Gold, Uneven Bar Silver, Beam Silver