Happy New Year 2025

Tag: halftime

Serena Williams explains Super Bowl LIX halftime show appearance amid criticism: ‘End of story’

Serena Wililams offered a simple explanation to address criticism she received after making an appearance during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The tennis legend, who retired from the sport in 2022, posted a video on Instagram showing the behind-scenes leading up to her cameo.

Serena Williams dances during halftime of the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

In the post, she shared a brief explanation why she accepted Lamar’s invitation.

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“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.’ I’m like Super Bowl? Are you serious?

“When in the world would I ever be able to dance at a superbowl? (Never) let’s do it!”

Williams’ added that she knew her “winning dance” at the 2012 Olympic Games in London “would pay off one day.”

Serena Williams dances during halftime of the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

SERENA WILLIAMS’ HUSBAND FIRES BACK AT CRITICS OVER HER SUPER BOWL LIX HALFTIME SHOW CRIP WALK

“End of story,” she added.

Williams’ explanation comes after she faced criticism for her choice of dance and for performing alongside the rival of rapper Drake, with whom Williams was previously involved in a relationship.

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith was among those who criticized Williams, saying he would divorce his wife if she was “trolling her ex.”

Serena Williams dances on stage during halftime of the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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But Williams’ husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, defended Williams

“Some of y’all have no idea how criticized Serena was for this same dance at Wimbledon 13 years ago and it shows…. This is bigger than the music,” he said in a post on X.

Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

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February 13, 2025
Serena Williams’ husband fires back at critics over her Super Bowl LIX halftime show crip walk

Serena Williams’ husband came to the tennis legend’s defense on social media amid criticism over her decision to participate in Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show and crip walk.

Williams performed the dance move in the midst of Lamar’s diss track toward rival rapper Drake. The retired tennis star also had a previous relationship with Drake, making her appearance during the track even more eyebrow-raising.

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Serena Williams dances during halftime at Super Bowl LIX, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

She was one of a few surprises Lamar had for the show, which also included Samuel L. Jackson dressed as “Uncle Sam” doing social commentary in between the Compton rapper’s songs.

While some criticized Williams, Alexis Ohanian wrote in a post on X that her appearance was “bigger than music.”

“Some of y’all have no idea how criticized Serena was for this same dance at Wimbledon 13 years ago and it shows…. This is bigger than the music,” the Reddit co-founder wrote.

Williams crip-walked while at Wimbledon during the 2012 Olympics in London and drew criticism as well.

STEPHEN A SMITH SAYS HE WOULD DIVORCE SERENA WILLIAMS FOR SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW CAMEO

Serena Williams dances on stage during Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show at Super Bowl LIX, Sunday in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

“Also just wait until some of these folks learn about the illicit/criminal origins of Irish step-dancing or Northern English clog dancing! They’ll be APPALLED I tell you. OUTRAGED, even,” Ohanian added.

Williams appeared to be unbothered by the criticism. She posted several videos of herself before and after the halftime show.

“Let’s go Super Bowl halftime??! I died a little!” she wrote in one post Sunday night.

Williams is one of the most accomplished tennis players in recent memory – man or woman. She won 23 Grand Slam titles – second in women’s tennis history behind Margaret Court.

Serena Williams is cheered after her career-ending match at the U.S. Open in Flushing, New York, on Sept. 2, 2022. (John Conrad Williams, Jr./Newsday RM via Getty Images)

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She retired from professional tennis in 2022.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 11, 2025
Stephen A Smith says he would divorce Serena Williams for Super Bowl halftime show cameo

Serena Williams made a surprise cameo during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show, as she was spotted dancing during the performance of “Not Like Us.”

Making an appearance for that song sparked some debate on social media, especially considering Lamar’s song is a diss track toward the rapper Drake, whom Williams dated in 2011.

Many believed it was no coincidence Williams’ time to shine was during this track, and ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith thinks the same.

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Serena Williams dances on stage during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

It’s why, during his Monday edition of “First Take,” he told his colleagues he would divorce her if he was her husband.

“If I’m married and my wife is going to join trolling her ex, go back to his a–, ‘cause clearly you don’t belong with me,” Smith said on the show, which led to some laughter from his colleagues.

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“What you worried about him for and you’re with me? Bye. Bye.”

Williams is married to Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit, and they share two daughters together.

Smith’s co-host Ryan Clark responded, “If you were with Serena Williams, you’re going to be a kept man anyways. Don’t start that.”

Serena Williams dances during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Lamar and Drake have quite the beef with each other, though only one of them saw Grammys won for their diss tracks.

“Not Like Us” won Song of the Year, which also won Record of the Year, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video.

It’s also worth noting Lamar was joined by SZA during the performance as well, and she confirmed dating Drake after he rapped about it on the track, “Mr. Right Now,” with 21 Savage and Metro Boomin.

Whether it’s trolling or not, Williams and Lamar do share a connection with their childhood, having grown up in Compton, California.

Serena Williams dances on stage during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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Legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson was also seen during the performance as “Uncle Sam,” as Lamar switched songs throughout.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 11, 2025
Super Bowl LIX security tackles person with flag supporting Palestinians, Sudanese during halftime show

A man appeared to sneak into Kendrick Lamar’s performance at halftime of Super Bowl LIX.

Lamar performed several of his hits, including “Not Like Us,” “Be Humble” and “DNA,” and he was surrounded by numerous performers.

However, the person was able to get onto the field and hold up a Palestinian flag during the show at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

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Security grabs a man holding a Palestinian flag with the words “Gaza” and “Sudan” as rapper Kendrick Lamar performs during Super Bowl LIX. (CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

During Lamar’s performance of his new hit “tv off,” the man held the flag on top of a prop car, and then ran onto the field with the flag.

The person wandered back and forth on the field before members of security arrived. The man was dragged off of the field.

The protest took place with Trump in attendance at the game, marking the first time a sitting president has ever attended the Super Bowl.

A man holds a Palestinian flag with the words “Gaza” and “Sudan” as rapper Kendrick Lamar performs during Super Bowl LIX. (CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

TRUMP GREETS CHIEFS STAR ON FIELD AT SUPER BOWL LIX AFTER PICKING THEM TO WIN LOMBARDI TROPHY

Last week, Trump floated the idea of the U.S. “taking over” the Gaza Strip.

“I do see a long-term ownership position, and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East and maybe the entire Middle East,” Trump said, adding it’s a decision he didn’t make lightly.

Security escorts out a man holding a Palestinian flag with the words “Gaza” and “Sudan” as rapper Kendrick Lamar performs during Super Bowl LIX. (CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

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“Everybody I’ve spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent — in a really magnificent area that nobody would know. Nobody could look, because all they see is death and destruction and rubble and demolished buildings falling all over. It’s just a terrible, terrible sight.”

Fox News’ Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.

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February 10, 2025