Now we all know just how tough Jordan Chiles is. Be it mentally or physically. After all, performing those high-octane routines weekly needs some serious power. But it is perhaps her mental game that is truly unbreakable. From losing her medal at the Olympics to delivering a slew of perfect 10s to blast UCLA into the semis of the NCAA title race, she’s been just plain awesome. But if we tell you that just a few days ago, a visit to an event had her questioning if she would even make it out alive. Sounds crazy, right?

But that’s exactly what was about to happen. Chiles, who’s competed at the highest level of gymnastics, found herself stuck in a gridlocked mess with no bathrooms, food, or water for over 12 hours. But how did this nightmare of an event come to be? And why did Chiles even go there in the first place? Well, only Chiles can have the answer to that. And that’s exactly what the Bruin did as she tried to calm her fans down.

Chiles just dropped an Instagram update that’s got everyone talking. Picture this: she’s lounging on a couch in a bright blue and vivid yellow Nike hoodie, looking like she’s trying to relax. But here’s the twist—the hoodie’s pulled over her head, and she’s flashing a peace sign (✌️) while barely showing her face. Looks chill, right? Until you read the caption: “Made it back alive!! Stay tuned for the recap!! But first I need a nap 😴.” Wait, what? Did she almost not make it back? What happened?

Well, it turns out Jordan Chiles wasn’t just attending Coachella; she was surviving it. Despite being surrounded by legends like Ciara, Victoria Monét, Queen Latifah, and Megan Thee Stallion, her festival experience was anything but fun. From chaotic lines to total disarray, this wasn’t the glamorous Coachella we’ve come to expect. So what went so wrong?

Coachella chaos can’t stop Jordan Chiles from having fun

Coachella, the iconic music festival known for its star-studded lineups and unforgettable moments, ran into a major issue before the music even started this year. Car campers, who were eager to secure their spots, found themselves stuck in endless traffic for hours, some waiting as long as 12 hours just to get to their campsite. Imagine showing up at 2 a.m. to grab a good spot, only to be trapped in a never-ending line with no bathrooms, food, or water in sight.

The situation got so bad that people were forced to pee on the side of the road, with reports of many running out of gas while waiting. The frustration didn’t stop there. As the hours dragged on, social media blew up with complaints about the poor organization. Attendees flooded platforms like X and Reddit, calling it the “worst organization” they’d ever seen at a festival.

Some even compared the chaos to the infamous Fyre Festival. Refund requests were made. Despite the star power of headliners like Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Post Malone, the event’s disastrous start left a bad taste for many. Yet, amidst the chaos, Jordan Chiles, Olympic gymnast and fan favorite, still managed to find some fun. Jordan Chiles reshared a story from Candice, a huge fan of Chiles with 1.1 million followers. In the story, Jordan and Candice were seen having a great time at the festival.

Jordan was rocking olive green cargo pants, a black crop top, and a beige cowboy hat, while Candice went all out in a bold black vinyl two-piece and furry leg warmers. Candice and Chiles, who posed together, captioned the post, “THE @jordanchiles ladies and gentlemen 👏 I ran up on a moment so worthy out at Coachella, repping team USA with so much pride! This young ray of light has inspired me, and I’ve been following her journey for years now. 💫 I had that crazy case of the bubbles when we walked up on her!!! Love every bit of that little girl power moment (first, great meeting you, babe!).”

Jordan responded with a simple “Much love” in her caption. It’s clear that, despite the chaos, Jordan Chiles still found some joy in the experience. She even shared a story of Megan Thee Stallion’s performance, clearly soaking up the Coachella energy, despite the festival’s rocky start. It’s a perfect example of not letting the chips fall where they may—while others were left high and dry, Jordan managed to keep her spirits up and enjoy the ride. Because Jordan is not just a name but a vibe.