Serena Williams graced the Super Bowl 2025 with her presence, making her entrance as a surprise halftime show performer. The tennis icon joined Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar for the concluding moments of his historic 15-minute set, captivating an audience at Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans.
Williams stepped onto the stage in a stunning ensemble that seamlessly blended her iconic tennis style with modern flair. She wore a cropped cobalt blue jacket paired with a white crop top and a teeny-weeny pleated skirt, a playful nod to her athletic yet fashionable persona.
Photo: Getty Images Serena Williams performs during the 2025 Super Bowl.
This outfit celebrated her history-making moments as a Grand Slam champion and also showcased her unique fashion sense. The ensemble was elevated by a stack of diamond necklaces that sparkled glamorously under the stage lights, including a heart-shaped pendant that added a touch of elegance.
Williams’ eye-catching look was part of a larger visual narrative on the Super Bowl halftime stage. All performers took to the stage dressed in red, white, and blue, the colors of the American flag, highlighting Kendrick Lamar’s poignant critiques of American politics and culture woven throughout his performance.
Photo: Getty Images Serena Williams performs during the 2025 Super Bowl.
Though Williams’ appearance was brief, it left a lasting impression. She took to the stage and showed off her dance moves by crip-walking to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” a Grammy-winning diss track directed at rapper Drake. Fans online quickly speculated on the significance of her performance, noting her rumored past relationship with Drake from the mid-2000s and the connection to the ongoing lyrical feud with Lamar.
From Compton to NOLA. @SerenaWilliams @KendrickLamar #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/mnzuP7fJ1N
— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025
Lamar’s verse referencing Williams in “Not Like Us” further amplified the moment, as he rapped, “From Alondra down to Central—better not speak on Serena.” This pointed line hints at the depth of their connection and the reasons behind Williams’ support for Lamar, marking a powerful moment in pop culture that crosses the boundaries of music and sports.
Williams has publicly expressed her admiration for Lamar’s track, having previously danced to “Not Like Us” multiple times during her opening monologue as host of the 2024 ESPY Awards. This ongoing appreciation underscores her role as a sports icon and a prominent figure in the entertainment landscape.
