Fresh off their historic multiple victories at the London Olympics, the United States' Fierce Five gymnasts -- Gabby Douglas, 16, McKayla Maroney, 16, Aly Raisman, 18, Kyla Ross, 15, and Jordyn Wieber, 17 -- were given a warm welcome home during a visit to Us Weekly's New York City offices August 14.
"Coming back to all this excitement, we had no idea what was going on back in the States," Wieber told Us in an exclusive video shoot. "I think everyone's really proud of us and we're just ready to celebrate."
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During their triumphant run overseas, the athletes received widespread support from several A-list celebrities. "A lot of famous people have been tweeting us, and it's just really cool to know that the whole world is watching, no matter if they're famous or not," Maroney said. "We got tweeted by Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga -- all sorts of people who we love so much."
The Fierce Five didn't receive star support solely via Twitter; They also got to meet some of their idols in person, including Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.
Mckayla Maroney, Gabby Douglas, Kyla Ross, Aly Raisman and Jordyn Wieber
Credit: Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire
"Meeting Kate Middleton was so cool. She's so nice and so down-to-earth. We were leaving the arena and she came up and followed us because she wanted to meet us. We told her we loved her style and she said she loved our leotards," team captain Raisman told Us. "It was a really cool experience to see someone we all respect so much and to be able to just have a conversation with her."
While her teammates stayed in London to attend the closing ceremonies ("The Spice Girls were amazing!" Wieber raved), Douglas flew to Burbank, Calif. to tape the Tonight Show With Jay Leno with none other than First Lady Michelle Obama, 48.
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"I love her so much," Douglas gushed. "She's so pretty and she's very well-mannered. She's amazing!"
For more from the Fierce Five -- including their thoughts on competing in the 2016 Rio Olympics, adjusting to life in the spotlight, and much more! -- watch the video above and pick up the new issue of Us Weekly, on sale Friday!
