Laurie Hernández is an American artistic gymnast of Puerto Rican descent, born on June 9, 2000, in Old Bridge Township, New Jersey. She gained national attention as a member of the "Final Five" U.S. women's gymnastics team at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where she earned a gold medal in the team event and a silver medal on the balance beam. Hernández's charismatic performances and expressive style have made her a fan favorite. Following the Olympics, she won season 23 of "Dancing with the Stars" and authored a memoir titled "I Got This: To Gold and Beyond." Hernández continues to be an influential figure in gymnastics and an advocate for mental health awareness.