Serena Williams made waves during the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show, delivering a moment that was both personal and culturally significant.
More than just a dance, it was a callback to a defining moment in her career, the infamous crip walk she performed after winning gold at the 2012 Olympics.
This time, Williams was invited to take part in Kendrick Lamar‘s performance, uniting two icons from Compton in a celebration of their shared roots.
“Kendrick and his team reached out and said, ‘We’ve been trying to do something together forever. What about this? We loved your crip walk after winning gold at the Olympics,'” Williams shared in an Instagram post, explaining how the collaboration came about.
Her response was immediate: “I’m like, Super Bowl? Are you serious? When in the world would I ever be able to dance at a Super Bowl? (Never) let’s do it! I knew my winning dance after the Olympics would pay off one day. End of story.”
A statement beyond the music
Williams took center stage at the Caesars Superdome, dancing in front of a lamppost while Lamar performed “Not Like Us,” a track that gained attention for its pointed lyrics directed at Drake.
The moment was especially notable given Williams’ past relationship with the rapper, who previously admitted that he wrote the song “Too Good” with Rihanna about her.
The cameras captured Williams twice during the performance, emphasizing her presence before Lamar transitioned into “TV Off.” Reflecting on the moment, she later shared in her Instagram recap, “That was the best 10 seconds of my life. Ten seconds!”
A behind-the-scenes video showed Williams preparing in her trailer, sporting a shirt featuring the late Kobe Bryant in Dodgers gear. She practiced her moves on the sideline before stepping onto the stage, fully embracing the moment.
Mixed reactions but strong support
While the performance was widely praised, some had mixed opinions. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith commented that he wouldn’t be pleased if his partner publicly trolled an ex. However, Williams’ husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, dismissed the criticism.
“Some of y’all have no idea how criticized Serena was for this same dance at Wimbledon 13 years ago and it shows…,” Ohanian posted on X. “This is bigger than the music.”
Williams, who retired in 2022 with 23 Grand Slam titles, once again proved that she commands attention wherever she goes-whether on the tennis court, at the Olympics, or on the biggest stage in American sports.
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