Experts: Gabby Will Make Millions in Endorsements for Years to Come
Some might be focused on the fact that they think that Gabby Douglas has had a few bad hair days, but she’s now got enough money to get whatever hairstyle she wants. Industry experts are estimating that everyone’s favorite little superstar could easily rake in $10 million in endorsement deals over the next four years.
While there have been other athletes to win gold medals in the past, Douglas is favored because she has a sweet smile and fun-loving personality. Also, for those who want to focus on her hairstyle, perhaps the fact that she is more substance than flash is actually working to her advantage. Gabby is not the celebrity who wants to look like she’s better than you; she’s actually the athlete who reminds you of yourself and your own children.
Gabby made history this week by being the first African American to clinch the all-around gold medal in the Olympics. Athletes who have the opportunity to shine at the Olympics are working to position themselves financially over the next four years. Gymnasts tend to have a longer promotional shelf life than other athletes, and many, such as Mary Lou Retton, become icons for life.
“Whoever wins all-around gold becomes the darling of America,” said Dorfman of Baker Street Advertising. ” That’s the queen of the Summer Olympics. That’s usually where one of the most marketable athletes from the Games emerges, especially with somebody like Gabby who’s really cute, very young and certainly has the potential to compete again in Rio.”
Gabby has been soaking up the attention and handling it like a pro. She gained 200,000 Twitter followers on the day of and day before she won the all-around competition. She just sealed a deal with Kellogg’s to be on the cover of their cereal boxes. She has also been congratulated publicly by a host of celebrities, from Oprah Winfrey to Lil Wayne.
“All of the girls on this year’s team will have opportunities because they won the first team gold since ’96, but Gabby winning all-around certainly is going to help her chances,” said Matt Fleming, a senior manager at the Dallas-based Marketing Arm. “Outside of the swimming guys, Phelps and Lochte, she has separated herself from everyone else winning this. We’ll see how the rest of the Games play out, but her value as a spokesperson or endorser has gone up pretty dramatically.”
Gabby is beautiful. And she has lots of beautiful hair. She has to tie her hair up to compete so that it won’t get in her eyes doing those complex moves. She remains so calm when she is in any position. Her form, her grace shines in still photos of her flying.
I am ashamed of the inelegant expressions of ill-informed people. She wears her hair like all of the other girls.
More importantly than being the first African-American to win the all-around is that she is the first American to ever win the all-round and team title at the same Olympics.
God has blessed this golden child and we are all, regardless of race, creed or color, blessed by her performance and her personality.
I feel and am also so very embarrassed by such shallow and ignorant comments. Thank You for taking a moment to speak for me too. I felt so overwhelmed and disappointed I felt temporarily paralyzed.
NOW….DO YOU FOLKS REALLY THINKS GABBY GIVES A Fxxx THAT HER KNICK NAME IS THE FLYING SQUIRREL OR THAT THAT IGNANT’ Axx BLACK FOLKS ARE SAYING THAT HER STYLE STINKS? NAH….I THINK SHE’S SAYING…”I’M RICH Bxxxx!”
I AM SO GLAD FOR BOTH HER AND DOMINQUE DAWES!
Bravo!! George I couldn’t have said it better…Go Gabby go and much appreciation for Dominque Dawes who led the way for African American young ladies in gymnastics.
Hey Veda-the devil in Willie Lynch is alive and well. Miss Gabby “Gabold” Douglas is someone the world has never known. The old slave-trainer Willie Lynch aides fools in hating someone that they don’t even know. I love the whole Gabby “Gold” Douglas story. I am never amazed on how negatively these “mental slaves” continue to be. Pray for them and me too ^-^. I thank Almighty GOD for Blessing this American family as only HE can do! PRAISE ye HIM! ^-^ You Go Gabby!-Dr. Northern.
Thank you Freedom 1 for being so on point. It reminds me of when JESUS spoke at the end of John 15:25-”They Hated ME without a cause.” This young Sister needs to receive an outpouring of our unconditional and very public love. I am so happy for the financial gains this will bestow on her family. GOD moves in mysterious ways. HE knocked and “Gabbie-Gold” was presented. Douglas unscrambbled is USA GOLD! ^-^
I am with you Freedom1..I mean what is with the self hatred? I saw beauty and grace while others were thinking (and excuse me while I go ghetto…) “she should have got her hair did”….
I was so ashamed and embarrassed that people took to the social (global)media as if they were talking in their grandma’s kitchen or private hair salon dissing.. as if no one could hear this mess!!
I am just appalled!!!
People PLEEEASSEE!!! as well as the writer of this article, would you please STOP calling her Gabby!! her name IS Gabrielle!! I’m not sure but I believe it was the (white)media that started calling her that!! let’s give this phenomenal young lady her due respect and call her by her REAL name!! i wonder if she even like to be called that
God Bless You Gabrielle!!
Nubianmind! As a mature Black Man I applaud and agree with you wholeheartedly! I apologize for those times I have called her Gabby as opposed to Gabrielle! I stand corrected and apologize to her, her mother and family! I will never be guilty of that again! God Bless you for pointing this out!
may the blessings continue to folow gabb, she work hard and train for what she got, GABBY, I wish you all the best, forgot those black people who is brainwash about hair,
Freedom1 You said it very well! Thank you!
I JUST WANT TO SAY I AM SO PROUD OF GABBY FOR DOING SUCH AN WONDERFUL JOB IN BEING THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO WIN. GABBY YOU JUST KEEP DOING THE BEST YOU CAN AN BE VERY PROUD OF YOURSELF AN TAKE CARE OF YOUR MOTHER. GOOD LUCK SWEEIE.
NOW….DO YOU FOLKS REALLY THINKS GABBY GIVES A Fxxx THAT HER KNICK NAME IS THE FLYING SQUIRREL OR THAT THAT IGNANT’ Axx BLACK FOLKS ARE SAYING THAT HER STYLE STINKS? NAH….I THINK SHE’S SAYING…”I’M RICH Bxxxx!”
I AM SO GLAD FOR BOTH HER AND DOMINQUE DAWES, THE VERY FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO WIN A SINGLE GOLD IN OLY’ GYMNASTICS!
Hello Dacie: No one has ever done this before-Gabby “Gold” Douglas is the very first person to win Olympic team and individual “world” championships. Ain’t GOD GREAT! ^-^ Douglas unscrambbled = USA GOLD!
Other children, both male and female have become inspired and their love and respect for this future leader, Sister Gabby Douglas ouut weighs words about her hair. We have to learn, it is not what is on your head, but what is in your head. Thanks, Gabby for taking our minds out of hopelessness and back on hope.
Why is everyone focused on Gabbys hair. She just took the gold in the Olympics. I think that accomplishment is more important than what hair looks like. She is a beautiful girl who just did something amazing. Can’t we just congratulate her on a job well done and leave all of the negativity to the haters.
NOW….DO WE REALLY THINKS GABBY GIVES A Fxxx THAT HER KNICK NAME IS THE FLYING SQUIRREL OR THAT THAT IGNANT’ Axx BLACK FOLKS ARE SAYING THAT HER STYLE STINKS? NAH….I THINK SHE’S SAYING…”I’M RICH Bxxxx!”
I AM SO GLAD FOR BOTH HER AND DOMINQUE DAWES, THE VERY FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO WIN A SINGLE GOLD IN OLY’ GYMNASTICS!
Im so happy for her. A true SUPER star!!!
Welcome to America…..where the critics live!
Whether its those commentators who never participated in any sport, giving their stupid opinion, or everyday citizen looking for something stupid to make noise about.
We must do better…
Congratulations Gabby on a job well done. May God continue to shower down blessings upon you and your family. KEEP SMILING!
It was not her hair that had to workout, it was her body!
If you notice her hair was pulled back in order not to interfere with her stunning, wonderful, awesome performance.
She is an athlete and let’s leave it at that.
All you haters step back and stay where you’re at!
Nowhere!
NOW….DO YOU FOLKS REALLY THINKS GABBY TRULY GIVES A Fxxx THAT HER KNICK NAME IS THE FLYING SQUIRREL OR THAT THAT IGNANT’ Axx BLACK FOLKS ARE SAYING THAT HER STYLE STINKS? NAH….I THINK SHE’S SAYING…”I’M RICH Bxxxx!”
I AM SO GLAD FOR BOTH HER AND DOMINQUE DAWES, THE VERY FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO WIN A SINGLE GOLD IN OLY’ GYMNASTICS!
Go Gabby Natural hair is the styles.
Big up to her mom.
I’m so very proud of her!!!!
Me too Jacqueline! ^-^. Praise GOD!
Miss Gabby, You go, girl! I am so very proud of you. As a Black woman, it fills my heart with pride and joy to know that you’ve won gold for the USA, Team USA and you! The fact that you are a Black American is the icing on the cake. And to think you’ve only just begun! Hold your head up high, Gabby. Your mom and family did an awesome job helping you accomplish your goal. Remember, there will always be naysayers, and what they have to say “is none of your business”. You don’t need the negativity. Hold your head up high and keep on keeping on. You are an inspiration to us all! Much love and total respect to you always!
I am proud Gabby and natural hair is beautiful.
As humbly as I endeavor to do-I am so very proud of the 2012 Summer Olympic and ALL Around Champion-Miss Gabby Douglas. Her surname of Douglas unscrambbled is USA GOLD. Recognize greatness in her! GOD Blessed this young Sister to showcase HIS greatness-she is skillful, articulate, pretty and seems to have a maturity beyond her 16 years. I first heard of my new “shero” when our gymnastics team competed for the order to represent the USA before the world. GOD had already Blessed her before then. Ms. Douglas could not be defeated! The letters of her last name prophetically told us her plight; Douglas = USA GOLD! I am an older man and I feel like she gave me a youthfulness through her champion performances. I watched her and Ali compete but I saw too much distance in their relationship. For “Gabbie-Gold” I just Pray that the Ross girls or someone befriends her-she was alone too much! Gabby, you are great! Thank you for representing the United States of America.-Dr. Northern^-^
Thank you Dr. Northern! Our ancestors used to take great time in naming children as their name was a symbol of hope and pride. I will not digress about the names being given to some children today,names that the children can’t spell or pronounce which is a shame, but I will move further along the lines of what you extrapolated from Princess Gabrielle’s last name. Gabrielle, is a variation of the name of Gabriel which in Hebrew means man of God. Encouraged by this definition, this youn beautiful woman of God was destined to win USA gold. Her name says it all!
Thank you Daisy for this comment. You know, we have to teach ourselves to be congratulatory of one anothers accomplishments. As Mr. Haywood Fennel, Sr. above commentted,”We are proud of what Miss Douglas has in her head and not on her head.” Forgive me for not noticing but I thought that “Gabbie-Gold” was beautiful and very well taken care of. Kudos to both her mothers; biological in Virginia Beach and her caregivers in Iowa. She had a great coach as well. GOD is Great! Douglas= USA GOLD!-Dr. Northern ^-^
Thanks for your comment and unscrambling the name Douglas (smile). I hadn’t thought of that.
Gabby is cute (love her smile) and so very talented.
If I want to wear my hair kinky this is how I was born, it is my right, God why did you give me Kinky Hair knowing the White folks would hold me back for it? God? God? Are you there God? Thank You God for being here. I thought for a moment they had gotten You too.
Uh, BLACK folks, WE are the ones holding each other back by the hair! Them other folks, white folks don’t say too much anymore. We hold our ownselves back ie., hating on Ms. Gabrielle’s hair- especially publically! It just shows the level of self hate (some of) us have. Let’s stick with the truth: Lady Gabrielle is a global golden girl and is representing very well! Let’s keep showing her da LOVE!!
Nia9933! You are absolutely right! I suggest that all blacks especially google the name; Willie Lyncy and read his letter titled-The Making of a Slave. It is only 6 pages long but speaks volumes for why we are the way we are! After reading that read a book titled- The Mis-Education of The Negro by carter Godwin! You will learn a great deal about the how’s and why’s of what we do! Dr. King often said,”A Man without a knlwledge of himself is like a tree with no roots”! This is us to a “T”! We know naught of ourselves! I am personally in the process of writing a book titled, Black/African Americans: Their Own Worst Enemy. I PERSONALLY CHALLENGE ANYONE TO PROVE ME WRONG! h**l NO! I don’t think I am white nor am I slamming us as a people; I am simply trying ti enlighten and motivate us to be what we should be and all we can!
I think it’s pretty shabby and tasteless to count someone else’s money, and comment on how much you think they’re worth. First of all, I’d like to point out, that the young woman is only 16, and has yet to finish high school. Second, understanding that her accomplishments are noteworthy, as adults, we should help her remain grounded in reality, and protect her from the seas that are full of sharks, who would exploit her the first chance they get. Finally, she should never be allowed to forget where she came from, and the people who sacrificed everything to get her there, including the family she lived with, and her trainers. History shows a retinue of young, talented stars who burst onto the American scene with promises of fame and fortune, only to be lured into the dark underside of the business, and have their careers, or their young lives, tragically short-circuited. Celebrate her accomplishments and be happy for her, but help her by warning the people who would use her, that you will brook no tolerance of this behavior.
NOW….DO YOU FOLKS REALLY THINKS GABBY GIVES A Fxxx THAT HER KNICK NAME IS THE FLYING SQUIRREL OR THAT THAT IGNANT’ Axx BLACK FOLKS ARE SAYING THAT HER STYLE STINKS? NAH….I THINK SHE’S SAYING…”I’M RICH Bxxxx!”
It amazes me to no end that some people are always try to kill the rainbow. Accept the rainbow for what it is, a beautiful statement of aesthetics, grace and hope. This discussion about hair, if it is from Black Americans is deeply routed in slaver and self denial. If from other, it is jealousy, envy and the fear of Black success to whose who take great pleasure in keeping stereotypes alive.
Honestly LMoore, how do we know that it is from the AA community? Can you tell who is really behind a tweet or screenname?
YOU ARE SO RIGHT! I once saw a Black male “outed” who was making negative comments about Black women while claiming to be a White man. I saw a White female, pretending to be Black, “outed” while joining in a discussion on a Black female blog.
Because the other community doesn’t care what our hair looks like. Go anywhere else in the world and you will see folks are not talking about our hair or the color of our skin…when you go to another country and are asked where you are from….you say the USA….the next thing you will hear is the “oh, so you are an American”…not an African American….but an American….only in this country are we identified as AA…no where else in the world where I have been….and trust me I have been in a lot of countries for my job. Not once have I been referred to as an African American…only as an American.
Go figure. Gabby will represent the USA to the world as an American. The announcement made when she won the gold was the American Gabby Douglas won….not the African American…think about it?????
Gabby Douglas, we are all so proud of you and your accomplishments. You looked great out there, Gabby. You are beautiful Gabby and your substance is awesome. You definitely “let your light shine” for all the world to see. We look forward to your performance in Rio. Congrats, Gabby. Only the best to you and your family. You are the Queen!!!
First of all, more than congratulations is the vision of human spirit.
I witnessed the “slights” by the media and her team. She is by far, the ONLY individual American that outshone her competition, foreign or domestic! I’m upset that the press made a point of “labeling” her mother as a “single” mom. Not only wasn’t she single, but her husband who she is separated from, is serving his Country, a laudible claim because a lot of white men shout how much they love the USA but won’t serve!
Flying squirrel? I don’t think so! Butterfly, as her coach dubbed her is more appropriate, even if she IS a Black butterfly, like the song Denise Williams sang some years ago.
Gabrielle “the black Butterfly” Douglas, graceful and light as a feather; all adjectives that denote something REGAL. Flying through the air with the greatest of ease! Take your place in greatness, little girl of ours!
Sharon I’m with you on the fact that I am so proud of Gabby’s acomplishments, but I’m sorry to inform you that her mother and father divorced after he returned from an assignment overseas and she (Gabby) is the one that gave herself the nickname “Fyling Squirrel”. I don’t know if you missed the interview (I believe ABC) with the mother and daughter a week ago, but when asked about the nickname, Gabby said that the coach and others were saying “Flying SuperWwoman” or “Wonder Woman”, Gabby said why not “Flying Squirrel?”.
Thanks for the love to this beautiful Nubian Princess may God continue to bless her and the Family in nebraska that embrace her and mold her so that she can be the best as if she was their own daughter Thanks Again.As for the people that complain about Gabby hair it goes to show that they have arrived along with their PHD and i mean PROJECT HAIR DOO
this little girl can get all the hair and wear it anyway she choose to without having a Sugar Daddy to do so
Continue to make the world a better place Gabby
More Success
PLEASE NOT GABBY BUT GRABRIELLE OR MS. DOUGLAS PLEASE
No, JH! “Gabby” is the name that bring in the money! Right now, Gabby is America’s sweetheart. It’s probably what her mother and father call her. When she’s older, has completed college, is married, and perhaps has a family and television show, then we might want to refer to her in a more way.
I asked this question on my fb page: Why is that with all of the accomplishments we’ve acheived do we still focus on ignorant and irrelevant remarks about each other? This young lady has achieved so much for us to be proud of, yet we have the nerve to negatively comment about her hair. This young girl works harder everyday then most of us grown azz folks do on our jobs & at 16 yrs of age; she has a tremendous amount of responsibilty on her shoulders most of which the average man or woman would never be able to endure. I would like to ask those “hair critics’: just what it was that they were doing when they were 16 yrs old; certainly not setting goals for themselves and working towards becoming a history making Olympic Gold Medal Winning Champion!!….Enuff said….MS Gabby…let your haters be your Motivators….Keep On Pushing Little Sister, there are more os us out here that are extremely proud of you than there are those that spew ignorant comments about your hair out of their mouths….I am proud to say that I am a gold card member of TEAM GABBY!!!….God Bless you my beautiful, intelligent and awesome young Sister….Keep On Doing IT…We Got You!!!
I think an interesting question could be asked, but will she be an accepted roll model by the young of her own race? Will they understand & accept the idea of delayed graftification because reading & listening to her interviews indicated she wanted to quit her lonliness with the coaching away from home but her parents insisted that she follow through to the end of the program & did not allow her to quit & run.
Nobody has brought that up. Being proud of her is the easy part accepting how she got to the finish line in the first place is being overlooked.
Hopefully,we all learn by example.
I’m so very proud as if I were part of the immediate family!!!! Gabby, God continue to bless you & your FAMILY. Stay Focused….it definately took a VILLAGE!
Good for Gabby now leave her alone.
Gabby did not have a bad hair day, she was working out by competing!
You go girllllllll!!!!!
I think enough has been said about this beautiful little princess God bless her mother and the family she stayed with. grabrielle stay focused
may God bless you and keep you safe from the pitfalls pf this corrupt world.
May the blessings continue to follow Gabby, she work and train hard to get where she is, and may she continue to do well in all her endeavors, Forgot those brainwash black people about her hair
I am proud and encouraged that this black youth has risen to the top of the “public radar” based upon her commitment, sacrafice, dedication, self-confidence and accomplishment in a sport that requires unbelievable amount of time to perfect. As a former gymnast myself and a instructor of ‘girls gymnastics’, I can appreciate her accomplisments. Yes, she will get tremendous dividends from her accomplisments however, with the potential to “cash-in” on her success I hope that she will seriously consider bringing in qualified African American public-relations firm, manager, agent, lawyers, publicist and Certified Public Account(s)/Money Manager. Afterall, why should only “white firms” represent this talented young lady and prosper off her accomplishments? I hope that there is “qualified, honest, talented, and profitable black firms out there able to provide Ms. Douglas with the service she requires and expect. Unfortunately, “we” tend to look at the “glitter” and neglect the “business aspects” of success. There is qualified African American business persons she can turn to for advice in this regards, persons such as Ervin “Magic” Johnson, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, Tyler Perry and others. It is important that she gets the “full benefits” from her hard work, but it is equally important that she “share” her success with the community from which she comes from “if” that community can assist her in ‘growing’ her wealth and fame.
MS .GABRIELLE CONGRADULATIONS I SEE SO MUCH IN YOU OF WHAT AMERICAN BLACK YOUTH COULD BE ,YOU INSPIRE MANY TO EXCELL GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ONLY GOD CAN HELP YOU TO MANEUVER THE FAME TRUST HIM IN YOUR PURSUITS.
God bless GABBY. She’s a perfect role model for our youth. With hard work, sacrifice, determination and the love of GOD, You can fulfill your DREAMS!! GABBY’S role model was D. Dawes. Now, Dawes is working with the 1st LADY with her LET’S MOVE PROJECT. Let Your Haters Be Your Motivators.
her name is grabreille douglas not gabby
What ever amount of money that she garners from her being the beautiful champiom that she is, is the direct result of the hard work that she put in, along with the strong parental guidance and love that she received from her mom and family. Gabby I say you are the best and you have proven that. So continue to shine as we all no you will, we love you and know that you are not done yet, see you in Rio. Hotep,(Peace)
WHY DO PEOPLE HAVE TO BE JEALOUS AND NEGATIVE OF SOMEONE WHO IS TALENTED AND WORK HARD. GABBY IS A BEAUTIFUL PERSON AND GOD WILL KEEP BLESSING HER.
Congratulations to a talented, focused, self assured young woman. Here’s hoping she becomes an inspiration to countless young women, who can see that all things are possible, with hard work and determination.
She is comfortable with who she is and does not feel a need to get weaved down. Here’s hoping she will start a new hair trend. Would be a welcome relief.
THANKS GOLDEN GABBY! YOUR WIN IS YOURS AND A WIN FOR ALL THE LITTLE SLAVE GIRLS WHO WERE RAPED, ABUSED, AND FORCED TO BREED FOR THE MASSA WITH NO HELP OR OPPORTUNITY IN SIGHT.
YOU MAKE A TEAR COME TO MY EYE, I AM SO FULL OF PRIDE FOR YOU.
Look, in America when it comes to promoting and endorsements of the female especially the young it’s “white girl first, second and sometimes third then young black women that they can highight the caucasian features. The media has not changed and only adapts when pressured to do so. Look at the heroine in the “Hunter Games” and the animated “Brave” and others whose goal it is to shine the light, place the halo for America’s princesses on the young white lady first. That’s where Tyler, Oprah, Spike and others make light of a young lady that continues toward more goals in life and an inspiration to young black ladies as well.
Knowledge is learned, but wisdom is OBSERVING! I see you ‘see through’ the racist codes and gestures, these caucasoids project toward Black people.
They NEVER want to be last on anything! They are always in FIRST position, no matter what the circumstances, and Blacks are ALWAYS last. Just observe the commercials on tell-a-LIE-vision, the cover of magazines, in the movies, you will see Black people ALWAYS POSITIONED LAST, especially the Black man! He is always in second position, even when it comes to the Black woman. Look at Will Smith; he is ALWAYS in second position, next to the white boy!
I know a lady friend, who was forced to wear long weaves, if she wanted to keep her job, since she was in front of the public. If you notice, ALL of these negroid fe-males wear long weaves, who are news anchors. They are forced to do this because they are not allowed to look too BLACK!
You are right, the image of our people is always LAST, just like in this racist country, WE ARE ALWAYS LAST TO GAIN OUR RIGHTS, BUT FIRST TO BE INCARCERATED AND KILLED BY THESE SILENT CHEMI(KILLS) CALLED AIDS, DIABETES, HEART DIS-EASE, CANCER, ETC. ETC.
Gabby, you are an inspiration to many young girls. Your determination and belief in yourself demonstrates your character.
Personally , I admire you because you are proud of who you are and your hair does not define who you are, but how you sacrificed, mastered your skill ansd acheived your goal identifies you.
I pray that the powers that be, protect and put Little Gabby`s money into a court ordered trust fund. Knowing some Black folks, Little Gabby`s money will be gone by the time she`s 21……Look at what happen to that Black child star who played “Arnold” on a television series. And that other Black kid who played “Willis”. Protect Gabby`s money…!!!!