Tennis legend Serena Williams shocked fans when she made an unexpected cameo during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LVIII halftime show. And she’s now setting the record straight on why she agreed to do it. The 43-year-old Grand Slam champion didn’t just stand on stage; she performed the iconic Crip Walk. That was a move she first made headlines for after winning Olympic gold in 2012. That moment sparked controversy at the time, but Serena says it’s exactly why Kendrick wanted her there.
She took to her Instagram and shared behind-the-scenes footage of her prepping for the show. Williams even opened up about how Kendrick’s team convinced her to join the performance.
“When @kendricklamar and team called and was like, ‘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,’”
What was her response? It was a mix of shock and excitement.
“I’m 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!”
In the footage, she is seen glammed up and practicing on the sidelines. Then, finally, running offstage after nailing the move.
“That was the best ten seconds of my life!” Serena laughed backstage.
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Back in 2012, Serena’s Crip Walk celebration after her Olympic victory against Maria Sharapova had resulted in backlash. Even many critics linked it to gang culture due to her Compton roots. However, the dance had its origin in Compton. That is also Kendrick Lamar’s hometown. That was the connection that made her Super Bowl appearance an intersection of culture, identity, and music.
“I didn’t Crip Walk like that at Wimbledon—I would have been fined!” Serena said after the show.
Her husband, Alexis Ohanian, jumped into the conversation to show her wife complete support. “Let ‘em know. Like Kendrick said, ‘This is bigger than music.’ Folks either UNDERSTOOD that halftime show—or REALLY didn’t,” he wrote.
He didn’t hold back from praising Serena’s impact, too. He added, “Very few people carry the torch you do. Can’t expect some of these jokers to get it.”
Now comes another string of drama. Serena’s appearance had a surprising link to Drake—her former flame and Kendrick’s rap rival. Serena and Drake dated on and off from 2011 to 2015, when the rapper would frequently attend her matches and even name-drop her in his songs.
However, Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s beef exploded last year and resulted in the diss track “Not Like Us,” where Kendrick accused Drake of questionable relationships and mocked his “Certified Lover Boy” persona.
Serena already took a lighthearted jab at Drake during last year’s ESPY Awards. She joked, “If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that none of us—not even me—should ever pick a fight with Kendrick Lamar.” She even warned that Drake’s hometown might turn on him after Kendrick’s diss, saying, “Next time Drake sits courtside at a Raptors game, they’re going to Forrest Gump him. Seats taken.”
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Serena’s 10-second Super Bowl moment wasn’t just about nostalgia—it was something more. Her presence paid tribute to Compton’s impact on hip-hop and sports, addressed past controversies, and just happened to stir up some drama with her ex’s biggest rival.
And judging by the reaction online, fans are eating it up.
