Serena Williams has dismissed speculation that her Super Bowl halftime performance with Kendrick Lamar was aimed at Drake, clarifying that she joined the rapper purely for the experience.
The legendary tennis champion set the stage ablaze with her dance moves, impressing fans with her energy and charisma. However, many linked her appearance to Lamar’s ongoing feud with Drake, given that the song performed allegedly addressed the Canadian rapper. The connection sparked rumors, especially considering Serena and Drake’s rumored relationship in 2015.
Putting the speculation to rest, Serena revealed that her collaboration with Kendrick Lamar had nothing to do with past relationships but rather a long-standing desire to work together. When the opportunity arose, she couldn’t pass it up.
The four-time Olympic gold medalist shared her thoughts on social media, emphasizing that she had always wanted to dance at the Super Bowl.
“When Kendrick Lamar and his team called and said, ‘We’ve been trying to do something forever, what about this? We loved your crip walk at the Olympics after you won the gold medal,’ I was 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!’” Serena wrote.
She also reflected on her famous dance at the London 2012 Olympics, where she celebrated her gold medal victory over Maria Sharapova with a crip walk. At the time, her dance move stirred controversy, with critics claiming it was inappropriate due to its origins in Los Angeles street gangs. However, the move had already been embraced in hip-hop culture, and Serena’s display at the Olympics became one of the most talked-about celebrations in sports history.
Despite the backlash she received back then, Serena never backed down from expressing herself through dance. Her recent Super Bowl performance further highlighted her love for the art form, proving that she has long moved past the criticism.
Explaining her Super Bowl decision, she humorously noted that if she had done the same dance in 2012, she might have faced a fine. However, this time, she took full advantage of the moment, performing in front of millions on one of the biggest stages in entertainment.
Serena’s confident response shows that she remains unfazed by past controversies. Rather than focusing on old narratives, she embraced the opportunity to be part of an unforgettable performance, adding another exciting moment to her already illustrious career.
