While viewers were wondering where Gabby Douglas was at last night’s MTV Video Music Awards, the gold medalist was battling a pretty serious mouth infection.
So serious that it sent her back into the hospital on Sunday night.
“Gabby is back in the hospital tonight being treated for a seriously infected past mouth injury,” the gymnast’s publicist told People Magazine.
“She continues to have deep swelling and adverse reactions to medication.”
Prior to that, Douglas Instagram’d a photo of herself in bed, wishing she were with her four teammates, Aly Raisman, Simone Biles, Madison Kocian and Laurie Hernandez , who presented Beyonce with Best Female Video.
“Out of the hospital & resting comfortably! #FinalFive so sad I can’t be with u all to present tonite@MTV thank u xoxo #VMAs #myview,” Douglas Instagram’d.
When only four of the five Rio 2016 teammates arrived on the red carpet, viewers wondered when Douglas was.
“I think she’s feeling a little better, but she’s staying home as a precaution,” Biles told People.
“We’re sad she couldn’t be here to enjoy this with us. We miss her!”
Douglas has not had it easy during and after this summer’s Olympic games. She didn’t put her hand over her heart when the national anthem play after her team won gold in the all-around competition. Instead, she said, she “stood to attention.
Douglas’ mom, Natalie Hawkins, came to her defense.
“I don’t think respecting your country or your flag boils down to whether you put your hand over your heart or not,” she told Reuters.
“When the Star Spangled Banner is played, most military members either salute or stand to attention.
“We grew up in the military community,” Hawkins added. “My mom spent almost 30 years in the military, my dad’s a two-time Vietnam vet.
“Because of that it was so insulting that they would accuse my daughter of being unpatriotic when we are so tied to the military family.”
All controversy aside, we hope Douglas gets well soon.
