Serena Williams Defends Appearance at Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show
Serena Williams has offered an explanation for her appearance during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show, addressing criticism she received for her cameo.
In a behind-the-scenes video posted on Instagram, Williams revealed that Lamar’s team had approached her about participating. "When @kendricklamar and team called and was like ‘we’ve been trying to do something forever, what about this? We loved your crip walk at the Olympics after you won the gold medal.’ I’m like Super Bowl? Are you serious?’" Williams recounted.
"When in the world would I ever be able to dance at a Super Bowl? (Never) let’s do it!" she added.
Williams’ decision to perform Lamar’s "m.A.A.d city" alongside the rapper raised eyebrows, as she has a history with Drake, who is considered Lamar’s rival.
"End of story," Williams concluded in her Instagram post.
Her explanation was met with mixed reactions. Some fans defended Williams’ right to express herself artistically, while others criticized her choice of dance and for performing with Lamar.
One of the more vocal critics was ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, who said he would divorce his wife if she were "trolling her ex."
Williams’ husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, defended his wife’s decision. "Some of y’all have no idea how criticized Serena was for this same dance at Wimbledon 13 years ago and it shows…. This is bigger than the music," he said in a post on X.
Williams’ appearance at the Super Bowl was a significant moment for the tennis legend, who retired from the sport in 2022. She has long been considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, with 23 Grand Slam singles titles to her name.
Her cameo in Lamar’s halftime show marked a departure from the world of tennis and showcased her versatility as an entertainer. The performance was well-received by many, with some praising Williams’ confidence and stage presence.
Despite the criticism, Williams’ decision to participate in the Super Bowl halftime show was ultimately a personal choice. She has stated that she is happy with her performance and that she values the opportunity to have had such a memorable experience.
