Tennis legend Serena Williams surprised fans by joining Kendrick Lamar on stage during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. The 43-year-old danced alongside Lamar as he performed his hit song “Not Like Us,” a track that references Williams by name. Dressed in a blue skirt and matching jacket over a white top, Williams executed the iconic Crip Walk, drawing cheers from the audience.
Serena Williams Joins Kendrick Lamar for a Historic Performance
After the show, she shared her excitement in a video posted to social media, saying, “Man, I did not Crip Walk like that at Wimbledon. I would’ve been FINED!” The comment was a nod to her 2012 Olympic gold medal win, when she briefly did the dance on the famed Wimbledon court, sparking controversy at the time.
Lamar’s performance was a full-circle moment, as both he and Williams hail from Compton, California. The rapper even name-dropped Williams in the Grammy-winning diss track, warning Drake, “From Alondra down to Central, ni**a better not speak on Serena.” The song was already a favorite of Williams, who previously called it “the hit of the summer.”
Behind-the-Scenes Moments with Daughter Olympia
Williams gave fans a glimpse into her preparation for the big night, sharing rehearsal footage featuring her seven-year-old daughter, Olympia. In the behind-the-scenes images, Olympia is seen playing with her mother’s hair while also helping her perfect her dance moves. Williams captioned one of the posts, “Let’s go Super Bowl halftime??! I died a little!”
Her husband, Alexis Ohanian, was also among those reacting to the performance, calling it a “pretty fantastic halftime show” on X. He previously dubbed the night the “Kendrick Bowl,” emphasizing Lamar’s dominance on the stage.
The moment quickly went viral, with fans and celebrities flooding Williams’ social media with praise. Even her sister, Venus Williams, chimed in, commenting, “You did that!!!”
Williams’ presence added an unexpected yet unforgettable sports-and-music crossover to an already electrifying Super Bowl LIX halftime show.