Serena Williams stunned audiences when she made a surprise appearance during Kendrick Lamar's exhilarating halftime show at the 2025 Super Bowl. Taking the stage at the Superdome, Williams’s electrifying dance moves and Crip Walk during Lamar's performance of 'Not Like Us' not only celebrated their shared roots from Compton, California but also delivered what many saw as a pointed jab at rapper Drake, with whom she shares a complicated history.
Lamar's halftime show was laden with nostalgia and rivalry, featuring several of his biggest hits, but the highlight was undeniably his rendition of 'Not Like Us.' This Grammy-winning song is notoriously known for its sharp criticisms toward Drake, including allegations involving inappropriate behavior. When Kendrick brought out Williams, the moment was electrifying, signaling to fans just how personal this performance was.
Fans interpreted Williams’s cameo as not just entertaining but loaded with meaning, considering her romantic history with Drake. From 2010 to 2016, Williams and Drake were rumored to be involved on and off, even leading to mentions of her in Drake's lyrics. Notably, he once tweeted her prior to their split, which added layers to the drama of the night. One X user noted, "Kendrick getting the entire Super Bowl screaming 'a minor' with Serena Williams dancing has to feel like a shot gun blast to Drake's chest." This sentiment encapsulates the underlying tension between the artists.
During the performance, Kendrick himself made comments about wanting to perform their favorite song but alluding to the legal risks when he said, "Ladies, I wanna make a move. I wanna perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue me." The crowd erupted as Lamar styled his lyrics to fit the moment, cutting out the most controversial references but nonetheless hitting hard with lines like, "Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young." The audience's roar was deafening, evidence of their engagement and excitement at this heated performance.
Williams later commented on her performance, expressing her exhilaration on social media. "Man, I did not crip walk like this at Wimbledon. Ooh, I would’ve been fined!" she wrote, celebrating the freedom of expression at the Super Bowl compared to the stricter confines of tennis. Her lighthearted reflection contrasted sharply against the background of her past with Drake and the public scrutiny she has faced. "If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s none of us, not even me, should ever pick a fight with Kendrick Lamar," she quipped during the ESPY Awards last year, highlighting the animosity and competition between the two rappers.
The atmosphere of the night was charged not just with the excitement of the game but also with the cultural symbolism of Williams’s performance. She took the stage dressed vividly, embodying the spirit of the moment. The audience was not only treated to Kendrick's hits like 'Humble.' and 'DNA.' but to the unexpected spectacle of Williams's powerful dance. Social media exploded with praise for her performance, with many fans—including fellow athletes—taking to different platforms to express their excitement.
One Twitter user succinctly expressed, "Serena Williams crip walking to a song about you being a pedophile has to hurt existentially," highlighting how this performance may resonate deeply with Drake, known for publicly referencing his past relationships. The excitement escalated as fans rallied behind Williams, celebrating her triumphant return to the spotlight and her unapologetic existence within hip-hop culture.
Overall, this Super Bowl halftime show performance brought together music, sports, and cultural history, creating moments of joy and reflection for millions of viewers. Williams, with her historical ties to both Kendrick and Drake, emerged not just as a performer but as a powerful statement of resilience and celebration of her roots. The stadium and its millions of viewers were undoubtedly reminded of the powerful narrative woven throughout the night, where hip-hop history met modern-day stardom.
With her strong showing during Kendrick Lamar's halftime show, Serena Williams not only reclaimed her identity within the entertainment sphere but also engaged with the narrative surrounding her past with Drake, marking the occasion as one of significant cultural importance.