The other girls [in team] have experience. They've been competing on a lot of international world-class stages. They knew what to expect and what to do and what not to do. Me and Aly [Raisman] just gave them advice on the media side. We said, it's gonna be crazy. It's the Olympics. But it's gonna be fun!

For me going down in history being the first black American to win the gold, I think more colored people are going to start coming to the gymnastics world and say 'okay, anything is possible. If Gabby did it, then I can do it too.'

Serena Williams [ispires me]. The first time I met her, she was like, "We should hang out and go to dinner," and I'm like, "Uh, yeah! If you insist."

The hard work definitely paid off and hard work always does.

Did I choose my hair texture? No. I'm grateful for having this hair on my head.

Words can't even describe how much Olympic medals means to me, because of all the hard work, sacrifice and effort I put in at the gym, and also because of how much my family supported me and sacrificed their dreams for mine. It also means a lot to me, knowing that I became the first African American to win the individual all-around gold medal.

I've learned how to stay humble. I don't want to get in over my head because when you do that it takes you off your game.