When Serena Williams graced the stage during Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl LIX halftime show, she certainly knew how to get people talking. The retired tennis superstar grabbed everyone's attention with her bold dance moves to Lamar's diss track, Not Like Us, famously known for taking jabs at rapper Drake. Naturally, this performance, with its notorious Crip Walk dance, didn't just light up social media; it reignited old flames of gossip surrounding Williams' past.
The chatter centers on Serena's rumored relationship with Drake back in 2016. Who can forget Drake stirring things up with his 2015 track Back to Back—or that later mention in Too Good? It's the kind of celebrity drama that keeps people hooked, with everyone trying to dissect what really went down behind the scenes.
Family Support and Media Backlash
Amidst all the buzz, it's hard to overlook Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian, chiming in. The Reddit co-founder didn't hesitate to dive into the fray, showing solid support for his wife's performance. He praised Lamar's halftime show and wasn't afraid to stand up to the haters, including none other than Stephen A. Smith. Smith had labeled Williams' dance as 'petty,' suggesting it was a deliberate jab at Drake. Ohanian was quick to counter, pointing out the double standards Serena has faced over the years.
It's ironic how Williams' dance rekindled memories of her 2012 Wimbledon Crip Walk controversy. Back then, she danced after trouncing Maria Sharapova in the Olympics, causing as much of a stir as her Super Bowl cameo. Ohanian wasn't shy in calling out the historical biases she has confronted, using Lamar's platform to laugh at media hypocrisy.
A Dance with Deeper Layers
There's no denying the layers of complexity that surround this dance. The Crip Walk's origins in Compton's gang culture bring additional weight, especially for Serena who tragically lost her sister Yetunde Price to violence linked to the Crips. But in the Super Bowl spotlight, the dance carried more than personal history. It was a part of a politically charged set, featuring Samuel L. Jackson critiquing systematic oppression. The dance didn't just add drama; it amplified Lamar's lyrical barrage against Drake, who himself has faced heat over legal and lyrical controversies.
William's bold choice to join Lamar's anti-Drake narrative, deliberately or not, adds fuel to ongoing debates. Are these performances purely entertainment, or do they signal deeper alignments and rivalries? As fans and cultural critics weigh in, it's clear that Serena's Super Bowl moment was more than just a dance—it was a statement.
While Williams hasn't confirmed any romantic ties with Drake, the performance on Apple Music's YouTube channel continues to be a hot topic. It shines a spotlight not only on celebrity feuds but also on broader issues of cultural expression and media double standards—proving once again that Serena Williams isn't one to shy away from a little controversy.