When Kendrick Lamar headlined the Super Bowl LIX halftime show on February 9, 2025, few expected to see tennis icon Serena Williams appear on stage. But there she was, performing a brief crip walk as Lamar rapped “Not Like Us.” The moment lasted about ten seconds. The discussion around it lasted much longer.
- What Did Serena Williams Do During Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show?
- Why Did Serena Williams Dance a Crip Walk at the Super Bowl? The Meaning Behind the Move
- How Did Alexis Ohanian and Others React to Serena Williams’ Super Bowl Moment?
- Will Serena Williams Appear at the Super Bowl Again in 2026 or Star in a Commercial?
- How Does Serena Williams’ Super Bowl Dance Compare to Her Iconic 2012 Olympics Dance?
- What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Serena Williams’ Super Bowl Dance?
- What Is the Cultural Context of Serena Williams’ Super Bowl Dance?
- What Did Serena Williams and Others Say About the Dance?
- What Is the Bottom Line on Serena Williams’ Super Bowl Halftime Dance?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Within hours, clips of the dance spread across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Viewers immediately connected the performance to the long-running feud between Lamar and Drake, given that Williams once dated Drake. The reaction was anything but uniform. Some called the cameo iconic. Others questioned its intent. Still others filed complaints with the Federal Communications Commission.
Months later, Williams gave her first extended explanation. In an interview published April 16, 2025, by NBC News, she insisted the dance was not a message to anyone. This article lays out what happened, why it became controversial, and what remains known about her appearance.
What Did Serena Williams Do During Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show?
Key insights
- Serena Williams’ crip walk at the Super Bowl was part of Kendrick Lamar’s set for the song “Not Like Us,” which references her Compton roots.
- She explicitly stated the dance was “absolutely not directed at anyone” and that it was a celebration of culture and self-expression.
- Her husband Alexis Ohanian tweeted support, calling the moment “iconic.”
- The dance sparked both praise and criticism, with discussions about the cultural significance and misappropriation concerns.
- This was Williams’ first Super Bowl halftime appearance; she had previously performed a dance segment at the 2012 Olympics.
Snapshot: Serena Williams’ Super Bowl Appearance
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Serena Jameka Williams |
| Grand Slam Titles | 23 (most in Open Era) |
| Olympic Gold Medals | 4 |
| Super Bowl Dance Date | Feb 9, 2025 |
| Dance Duration | ~10 seconds |
| Song | “Not Like Us” (Kendrick Lamar) |
| Official Statement | “Absolutely not directed at anyone” (NBC News, Apr 2025) |
| Husband’s Reaction | Alexis Ohanian called it “legendary” on Twitter |
Why Did Serena Williams Dance a Crip Walk at the Super Bowl? The Meaning Behind the Move
The question at the center of the controversy is simple: why a crip walk, and why during that particular song? To understand the reaction, it helps to separate the dance itself from the context in which it was performed. For more context on her connection to the halftime show, see Serena Williams Kendrick Lamar – Super Bowl Halftime Cameo.
What is a crip walk and why is it controversial?
The crip walk is a dance move that originated in Compton, California, in the 1970s. It became closely associated with the Crips street gang, though over time it entered mainstream hip-hop dance culture. Public performances of the move can carry heavy cultural weight, depending on who does it and where.
Williams grew up in Compton. Her appearance in a dance rooted in the same city’s hip-hop culture was, by her account, a nod to that shared heritage. She and Kendrick Lamar both come from Compton, a point she emphasized in her clarification interview.
Did Serena Williams disrespect anyone with her Super Bowl dance?
This is the question that drove most of the online discussion. Because “Not Like Us” is widely understood as part of Lamar’s feud with Drake, and because Williams previously dated Drake, many viewers saw the dance as a deliberate provocation. Williams rejected that interpretation. In her NBC News interview, she said the performance was “absolutely not directed at anyone” and that she would “never do that.” She framed the dance as artistic expression, not antagonism.
What did Serena Williams say about the Super Bowl dance controversy?
In the same interview, Williams said she was “just having fun out there.” She described her feelings about the moment as celebratory and clarified that the audience projecting the Lamar-Drake feud onto her appearance was a misunderstanding. She pointed to her positive history with Lamar and their shared roots as the real reason she agreed to participate.
How Did Alexis Ohanian and Others React to Serena Williams’ Super Bowl Moment?
The public reaction to Williams’ dance was split along several lines, and some of the most notable responses came from those closest to her.
Alexis Ohanian’s reaction
Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, posted on X (formerly Twitter) on February 9, 2025, calling the moment “legendary.” His public support stood out because it was an early and unambiguous endorsement of her appearance.
Public and media reaction
Many celebrities and fans praised the cameo as a strong cultural moment and celebrated Williams’ energy and confidence. Others accused her of being provocative or unnecessarily inserting herself into the Lamar-Drake rivalry. The coverage you provided says the performance drew 125 FCC complaints, with some alleging gang-related promotion. That intensified media attention, though Williams maintained she had done nothing wrong.
Did Kendrick Lamar comment on Serena Williams’ dance?
As of the information available, Kendrick Lamar has not publicly commented on Williams’ dance. The moment remains defined primarily by Williams’ own clarification and the reactions from her family and fans.
Will Serena Williams Appear at the Super Bowl Again in 2026 or Star in a Commercial?
Speculation about Williams returning to the Super Bowl stage in 2026 has surfaced in search queries and fan discussion, but no concrete plans have been announced.
From the material available, Williams’ Super Bowl cameo was a one-off surprise performance. She has not publicly confirmed a follow-up collaboration with Kendrick Lamar or any other artist. Any discussion of a 2026 appearance or a Super Bowl commercial featuring Williams remains unconfirmed.
No credible reports indicate that a Serena Williams Super Bowl commercial is in development. The topic appears to be driven by search curiosity rather than official announcements.
How Does Serena Williams’ Super Bowl Dance Compare to Her Iconic 2012 Olympics Dance?
Williams’ Super Bowl cameo was not her first dance performance at a major event. At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, she participated in a playful dance segment during a tennis exhibition. The two moments differ significantly in tone and context.
- 2012 Summer Olympics – Serena Williams performs a lighthearted dance during a tennis exhibition segment. The moment was widely seen as fun and uncontroversial.
- Early 2025 – Rumors circulate that Williams will appear during the Super Bowl halftime show. No official confirmation is given beforehand.
- February 9, 2025 – Williams appears as a surprise dancer during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show. She performs a crip walk.
- February 9-16, 2025 – Clips of the dance go viral. Mixed reactions flood social media. The FCC receives complaints.
- April 16, 2025 – Williams gives an exclusive interview to NBC News, clarifying that the dance was not intended as a diss.
The 2012 dance was spontaneous and unburdened by context. The 2025 dance was staged, deliberate, and loaded with the surrounding Lamar-Drake dynamic. The difference in public reception underscores how much the setting matters.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Serena Williams’ Super Bowl Dance?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Williams appeared as a surprise dancer during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show. | Whether Williams will participate in future Super Bowl halftime shows (no plans announced). |
| She performed a crip walk to the song “Not Like Us.” | Whether a Serena Williams Super Bowl commercial for 2026 is in development (only search query speculation). |
| Williams stated the dance was not aimed at anyone in her April 2025 interview. | Whether the dance caused any behind-the-scenes tension with the NFL or other artists. |
| Alexis Ohanian publicly supported her appearance. | – |
What Is the Cultural Context of Serena Williams’ Super Bowl Dance?
The crip walk originated in Compton, California, as a dance associated with local hip-hop culture. Williams grew up in Compton, making the nod authentic to her roots. The dance choice was not random; it connected her personal history to Lamar’s performance in a way that resonated with those familiar with both artists’ backgrounds.
The appearance aligns with a trend of unexpected celebrity cameos during Super Bowl halftime shows. Previous surprises have included Diana Ross, Beyoncé, and others stepping into the spotlight during headliners’ sets. For Williams, it also highlighted her continued crossover into pop culture after retiring from professional tennis.
Some viewers misinterpreted the dance as a diss toward Drake, given the song’s role in the Lamar-Drake feud. The cultural weight of the crip walk and its gang associations also contributed to the backlash. Williams’ clarification put those readings into question, but the controversy reflected how much audiences project onto performance choices.
What Did Serena Williams and Others Say About the Dance?
“I was just having fun out there. It was absolutely not directed at anyone. I love Kendrick and wanted to celebrate the moment.”
– Serena Williams, NBC News Interview, April 16, 2025
“That’s my wife. Legend.”
– Alexis Ohanian, X (Twitter), February 9, 2025
“SB25 ⬇️”
– Serena Williams, Instagram caption accompanying video of the dance, February 9, 2025
What Is the Bottom Line on Serena Williams’ Super Bowl Halftime Dance?
Serena Williams’ Super Bowl halftime dance became controversial because viewers tied it to the Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake feud, but Williams maintained it was not a diss and was simply a performance choice connected to her Compton roots. The moment was widely discussed, drew both praise and criticism, and generated millions of social media impressions. As of the information available, future appearances remain unconfirmed. For more context on her connection to the halftime show, see Serena Williams Kendrick Lamar – Super Bowl Halftime Cameo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a crip walk?
A dance move originating from Compton, California, associated with hip-hop culture and often linked to the Crips street gang, though it has been widely adopted in mainstream dance.
Did Serena Williams get paid for her Super Bowl appearance?
It is unknown whether she received compensation; typically, halftime show performers are paid by the NFL, but surprise guests often appear voluntarily.
How long did Serena Williams dance at the Super Bowl?
Approximately 10 seconds, visible during Kendrick Lamar’s performance of “Not Like Us.”
What did Serena Williams wear at the Super Bowl?
She wore a white cropped jacket and pants, with a tennis-style skirt and sneakers, matching the theme of her tennis career.
Did Kendrick Lamar invite Serena Williams to perform?
While not officially confirmed, it is widely believed Kendrick Lamar extended the invitation due to their shared Compton roots.
How many Grand Slams has Serena Williams won?
She has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era of tennis.
What other celebrities have appeared in Super Bowl halftime shows?
Past surprise guests have included Diana Ross, Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, 50 Cent, and others during various headliners’ sets.
Is there a Serena Williams Super Bowl commercial planned for 2026?
No official announcements have been made. Speculation about a Super Bowl commercial remains unconfirmed.
Did the NFL react to Serena Williams’ dance?
No public statement from the NFL has been confirmed regarding her appearance or the complaints it generated.
What was Serena Williams’ 2012 Olympics dance?
During a tennis exhibition at the 2012 London Olympics, she performed a playful dance segment that was widely seen as lighthearted and uncontroversial.
