NEW YORK — On Wednesday, while presenting alongside Tualatin's Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards show, iconic Public Enemy rap group member Flavor Flav gifted Chiles a bronze clock necklace.
While the pair was presenting the award for the best collaboration, the 65-year-old "Flavor of Love" reality star gifted Chiles her very own diamond-encrusted bronze stopwatch necklace, an empathetic gesture after Chiles had her 2024 Paris Olympic medal stripped as a result of a scoring appeal following her gymnastics floor exercise final in August — leaving the American gymnast heartbroken.
The reality star is also known for his signature animated timepiece clock necklace throughout his career. The Hall of Fame rapper became a Paris Olympic favorite for his supportive, positive and engaging energy at the Games, especially after signing a five-year sponsorship deal — thus becoming an official sponsor for the Men and Women U.S. Olympic Water Polo teams.
In early August, he took to social media after learning of Chiles being stripped of her bronze medal: "Ayyy YOOOO @ChilesJordan,,, imma make you a BRONZE CLOCK NECKLACE,,, and that’s something NO ONE else has,!!! Hit me up my girl,,, I gotchu,!!!" he wrote, adding a GIF of himself dancing at the Olympics while wearing one of his signature clock necklaces.
He followed up the next day with a video of the promised necklace for Chiles on socials, stating: “USA gonna Fight the Powers that be,,, in the meantime between time,,, Imma always a man of my word @ChilesJordan,” referencing his hip-hop group Public Enemy’s iconic song “Fight the Power.”
While presenting the two-time Olympian with the necklace, the rapper expressed some words of upliftment.
“I just want to turn this into a little Olympic moment for a second, if ya’ll don’t mind,” said Flavor Flav, as the crowd erupted in applause. “Ay yo, Jordan, I know they tried to take your medal away from you, but you know what? I got you something that they can’t take away from you.”
Flavor placed the necklace on Chiles, as she graciously reacted, "Wow, I don’t even know what to say here. Thank you so much.”
The Public Enemy MC also vowed to compensate the Tualatin-born Olympian her prize money, in reference to the payout American athletes received along with the medal earned.
"And guess what else, too," Flavor Flav said. "I got your prize money, too. I got that for you. I got that for you. I got your prize money for you. I just wanted to surprise you with that. I didn't want to say nothing to you backstage.
"But Jordan, you did your thing. Congratulations. You deserve everything."
