Serena Williams Addresses Super Bowl Crip Walk Controversy

Serena Williams addressed speculation that her 'crip walk' dance during Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show was a deliberate slight at her ex-boyfriend Drake, firmly denying any such intent and emphasizing that she harbors no negative feelings toward him. Williams explained that she understood why people might make the connection, given the context of Lamar performing 'Not Like Us,' a song widely interpreted as a Drake diss, but insisted her appearance was not meant as a statement against Drake. The cameo, which echoed a celebratory dance she first performed after her 2012 Wimbledon win, reignited both old and new criticism, including claims of promoting gang affiliation and public backlash over its perceived meaning. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith controversially suggested he would have divorced Williams over the performance, but Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian dismissed the controversy, stating their focus was on more meaningful pursuits. Williams expressed ambivalence about whether she regretted participating in the performance, noting that her intentions were celebratory rather than antagonistic. Ultimately, Williams and Ohanian were more excited about meeting Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl than about any potential drama.