Serena Williams has clarified her controversial Super Bowl halftime appearance, stating in an interview this week that her dancing during Kendrick Lamar’s performance was not meant as a dig at her ex, Drake.
Williams, 43, was at the center of attention after Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, where she was seen doing the crip walk during Lamar’s performance of “Not Like Us,” a diss track directed at Lamar’s rival and Williams’ ex, Drake.
Serena Williams dances during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl LIX football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles ON Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Some were critical of the dance due to its gang connotations, and questioned why Williams, who is married with two children, would target a former lover.
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Speaking to Time magazine, Williams, named The 100 Most Influential People of 2025, stated that her participation was not intended to throw shade at her ex.
“Absolutely not,” she mentioned during the interview.
“I would never do that. And that was sad, that anyone would ever think that. I respect how they could. Obviously, I can see how someone would think that. But absolutely not. I have never had negative feelings towards him. We’ve known him for so many years.”
Serena Williams dances off-stage during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl LIX football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles ON Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
SERENA WILLIAMS SPARKS SOCIAL MEDIA MELTDOWN DANCING TO KENDRICK LAMAR’S ‘NOT LIKE US’ AMID HISTORY WITH DRAKE
One of Williams’ prominent critics was ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, who expressed that he would divorce his wife if she was “trolling her ex.” Williams acknowledged the comments, but mentioned that everyone is entitled to their opinions.
“I thought it was hilarious,” she expressed. “He’s allowed to have his personal opinion. But did you see my husband’s remark? It was so eloquent.”
Williams’ husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, defended her on social media, stating, “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.”
Serena Williams dances on stage during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl LIX football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
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The 23-time Grand Slam champion admitted that looking back at her participation, she isn’t sure whether she regrets it.
“I don’t know the answer to that.”
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