Chloe Kim is already on her way to becoming a Team USA favorite! The 17-year-old halfpipe snowboarder was too young to compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, but now she’s preparing for her shining moment at the upcoming 2018 games in PyeongChang, South Korea.
In the video above, Kim shares six facts about herself with Us Weekly exclusively ahead of her big debut!
Meet the Athletes Representing the U.S. at PyeongChang Olympics1. Her Biggest Fear Is Spiders
“I freak out when I see a spider,” the athlete tells Us. “I was doing an interview once and there was this really big, furry spider crawling up the tripod, and I was like, ‘I can’t do this!’”
2. Her Hidden Talent Will Make You Laugh
“I can play guitar — but I can’t really. I wouldn’t say I’m talented at it,” Kim admits. “I just kind of watch videos on YouTube and I follow the instructions. … OK, yeah, my hidden talent: I’m good at following instructions!”
Chloe Kim. Marc Royce
3. Her Celebrity Crush Is Zayn Malik
“He’s a cutie and a half,” the Olympian gushes. “He seems cool. I haven’t met him, so hopefully that’s gonna change soon!”
Celebrities Who Love the Olympics4. Her Female Role Models Embody Strength
“Zendaya — she’s a boss — and Rihanna as well. I feel like those are two very powerful women,” Kim says. “They use their platform for a good cause, especially Zendaya. She’s always standing up for different cultures and out there being a good role model and a good person.”
5. Her Guilty Pleasure Is Chipotle
“I love Chipotle. And I’m not just saying that. Like, I genuinely am in love with Chipotle,” the snowboarder tells Us. “Sometimes I want a burrito, sometimes I want a bowl, sometimes I want the tacos. It depends!”
Olympic Athletes: Where Are They Now?6. Her Message to Other Female Athletes Is Simple
“A lot of the times it’s really hard to [not] get a little overwhelmed,” Kim says. “It’s just [about] keeping it fun and just remembering why you started and why you’re still in love with this sport. Have fun, keep a smile on your face and you’ll be good.”
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