Serena Williams Dances at Super Bowl, Sparks Drake’s Response

MIAMI, Fla. — Serena Williams made headlines during the Super Bowl halftime show on February 11, 2025, where she performed the ‘Crip Walk’ during rapper Kendrick Lamar‘s performance. The moment not only captivated the audience but also reignited her complex history with rapper Drake, who seemingly responded via social media.

Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, made a surprise appearance during the performance, celebrating her roots in Compton, California. The move was particularly notable given that she previously faced backlash for a similar dance at the 2012 Olympics, where critics claimed it ‘glorified gang culture.’

After Lamar’s performance, which also featured a brief cameo from Samuel L. Jackson, fans quickly turned to social media to discuss Williams’ dance. While some perceived her appearance as a dig at Drake — who has publicly feuded with Lamar — others were just pleased to see her on such a prestigious stage.

In response to the performance, Drake posted an image on social media of himself with Williams’ long-time agent, Jill Smoller, taken during the 2015 Wimbledon tournament, where he was known to support Williams. Fans reacted with mixed opinions, with one commenting, ‘Bro seems SO unbothered by that halftime performance fr fr,’ while another questioned his motives.

The history between Williams and Drake dates back to 2015, when he frequently attended her matches, appearing to follow her closely. Their relationship drew significant media attention at the time, especially as Williams was making waves in the tennis world.

According to Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, her decision to perform was rooted in her desire to reclaim her narrative. He noted, ‘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.’

Williams later confirmed that Lamar’s team specifically invited her to perform because they admired her 2012 Olympic dance. ‘When Kendrick and team called and was like, ‘we’ve been trying to do something forever,’ I was in!’ she said on Instagram.

Despite her previous feelings for Drake, Williams has moved on since their relationship ended, marrying Ohanian in 2017. Drake, on the other hand, continues to address their past relationship in his music. Last year, in a track titled ‘Middle of the Ocean,’ he made headlines with lyrics suggesting that Ohanian had a groupie-like devotion to Williams.

The dynamic between Williams and Drake was scrutinized during the Super Bowl weekend, as fans speculated about motivations behind Williams’ performance. Nonetheless, she continues to maintain her status as a pop culture icon, embracing her platform to celebrate her achievements and heritage.