Tennis icon Serena Williams thrilled fans with an unexpected appearance at the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, joining rapper Kendrick Lamar on stage at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The 43-year-old, known for her dominance on the court, took a different stage this time, surprising audiences during Kendrick’s performance of his highly anticipated set.
Shortly after her appearance, Serena took to Instagram to share a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her preparation. She posted a video of herself practicing dance moves while getting her hair and makeup done, captioning it: “Let’s go Super Bowl halftime??! I died a little! [dancer emoji] (sic).” Fans quickly flooded the comments section, expressing their excitement and admiration for the sports legend’s unexpected cameo.
Kendrick Lamar’s 13-minute set was one of the most talked-about performances of the evening, largely due to speculation over whether he would perform his controversial diss track ‘Not Like Us,’ aimed at fellow rapper Drake. During the show, Kendrick repeatedly teased the audience, at one point saying, “I want to play their favorite song … but you know they love to sue.”
Despite ongoing legal battles between the two artists—Drake had previously filed a defamation lawsuit over lyrics in ‘Not Like Us’ that accused him of misconduct—Kendrick ultimately performed the track but chose to censor some of its more provocative lines.
In addition to the headline-grabbing diss track, Kendrick’s setlist featured some of his biggest hits, including ‘Humble,’ ‘DNA,’ ‘Squabble Up,’ ‘Man At The Garden,’ and ‘Euphoria,’ another song rumored to be aimed at Drake. The rapper made a grand entrance atop a black Buick GNX, a nod to the vehicle his father drove when bringing him home from the hospital in 1987.
Kendrick was later joined on stage by fellow artist SZA, with whom he performed ‘All the Stars’ and ‘Luther.’ Their dynamic duet was further enhanced by a surprise hosting role from Hollywood legend Samuel L. Jackson, who took on the persona of Uncle Sam to introduce the pair and celebrate their artistry.
Serena’s involvement in the show sparked discussions across social media, with many praising her versatility and ability to captivate audiences beyond the world of sports. Her unexpected appearance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show further cements her status as a global icon, proving that even in retirement, she continues to command the spotlight in new and exciting ways.
