Serena Williams’ energetic performance at the Super Bowl sparked quite the discussion, with her husband Alexis Ohanian stepping up to defend her against critics. The focus was on Serena’s spirited execution of the crip walk — a dance with deep roots in the gang culture of Southern California.
All eyes were on the Super Bowl halftime show at Caesars Superdome. When Kendrick Lamar hit the stage, excitement reached its peak. As the song played, the cameras caught Serena Williams, moving gracefully and effortlessly to the beat.
The crip walk, a dance from the 1970s, was created by Robert “Sugar Bear” Jackson, a member of the Crips gang in Southern California. This dance has its complexities and connections to the region’s history.
Serena, with 23 Grand Slam titles to her name, moved to the rhythm of Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-winning song “Not Like Us,” supposedly throwing some shade at rapper Drake.
The tennis star and Lamar both hail from Compton, where Serena may have had a past relationship with Drake before marrying Ohanian. Her involvement in the performance added another layer to the ongoing narrative between Lamar and Drake.
If there was any uncertainty about Serena’s affiliations within this artistic rivalry, it certainly cleared up with her confident crip walk.
Reflections from the Olympic Stage
This wasn’t the first time Serena showcased the crip walk. Back at the 2012 London Olympics after a Wimbledon victory, the dance brought mixed reactions. Journalists and fans had different takes on her choice of celebration.
When Serena broke into the crip walk on those esteemed lawns, responses ranged from criticism about insensitivity to praise for her authentic expression. Fans quickly jumped into the debate, with some normalizing her dance as a simple expression of joy.
One outspoken fan voiced that it’s just a dance, shared globally by young people without the gang associations. They encouraged onlookers not to exaggerate the issue.
A Super Bowl Splash
Following the 2025 Super Bowl win by the Eagles, Serena made headlines with a playful clip. In it, she humorously commented, “Man, I did not crip walk like that at Wimbledon, I would’ve been fined.” The video amassed millions of views with fans loving her vibrant appearance.
Comments flowed in, with admirers celebrating her unique flair and participation in Lamar’s halftime show. “Serena Williams! With the style, the moves, and the presence in the show — she’s unstoppable,” one fan exclaimed.
Remembering Yetunde
Not everyone was comfortable with Serena’s dance, remembering her sister Yetunde Price’s tragic death in 2003, attributed to gang violence. This connection led some to criticize Serena’s choice to publically engage with a dance rooted in gang culture.
A poignant tweet reminded everyone of Yetunde’s untimely loss, suggesting that perhaps Serena should have reconsidered her performance considering their family’s history.
Some critics even pointed fingers at Alexis Ohanian, implying he should have discouraged her from potentially controversial actions.
Standing by Serena
Unfazed, Alexis Ohanian proudly supported Serena. He shared insights on social media, drawing parallels to the criticisms she faced at Wimbledon years ago. He believed her dance was more than a simple engagement with music.
Ohanian, who shares two daughters with Serena, reflected on past negative commentary from sports pundits. One, in particular, likened Serena’s dance to an inappropriate joke in a solemn place.
His post of encouragement became a rallying point for fans, who flooded the comments with praise for Serena’s undeniable influence. “The real ones support Serena! She’s a winner on and off the court,” a fan wrote.
Others called for apologies to Serena for past criticisms, demonstrating their admiration for her strength both as an athlete and as an individual.
These events have stirred a lot of conversation about public expression, cultural history, and the complexities of fame. We’d love to hear what you think about Serena’s dance at the Super Bowl and Ohanian’s defense of her. Let’s keep this discussion alive!
