Was Serena Williams in the Super Bowl Halftime Show? What Really Happened

If you were scrolling through social media after the 2025 Super Bowl and saw clips of a legendary tennis player dancing on stage in New Orleans, you weren't hallucinating. People have been asking was serena williams in the super bowl halftime show for years, usually confusing her star-studded commercials with actual performances. But everything changed during Super Bowl LIX.

For the longest time, the answer was a flat no. Serena was the queen of the commercial breaks, not the stage. Then Kendrick Lamar happened.

The Moment Serena Williams Actually Hit the Halftime Stage

It’s Sunday, February 9, 2025. The Caesars Superdome is vibrating. Kendrick Lamar is in the middle of a career-defining set, and the energy is already through the roof. Suddenly, as the opening notes of "Not Like Us" start to blare—the song that basically defined the previous summer—there she is.

Serena Williams didn't just stand there. She stepped out in a custom cobalt blue Nike 24.7 jacket and a pleated skirt, looking like she just walked off a high-fashion tennis court and onto the biggest stage in the world.

She started dancing. Specifically, she did the Crip Walk.

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If that sounds familiar, it’s because she famously did the same move after winning gold at the 2012 London Olympics. Back then, it caused a minor controversy in the buttoned-up world of professional tennis. In 2025, standing next to Kendrick Lamar in New Orleans, it was just pure, unadulterated West Coast culture. Both Serena and Kendrick hail from Compton, California, and that connection was the driving force behind the cameo.

Why the Internet Lost Its Mind

The appearance wasn't just about a tennis GOAT hanging out with a rap GOAT. There was layers to this. Deep, messy, internet-era layers.

1. The Drake Connection: Serena famously dated Drake years ago (roughly 2011 to 2015).
2. The Diss Track: "Not Like Us" is Kendrick's nuclear-grade diss track aimed at Drake.
3. The Statement: By appearing during that specific song, fans took it as Serena officially picking a side in the biggest rap feud of the decade.

Serena later posted on Instagram that she "died a little" from the excitement. In a hilarious backstage video, she joked about her footwork, saying, "Man, I did not Crip Walk like that in Wimbledon. Ooo! I would’ve been fined!" Honestly, she probably would have been.

Clearing Up the Confusion: 2023 vs. 2025

Before this actual performance, many people mistakenly thought Serena had been in the show before. Why? Because she is the undisputed heavyweight champion of Super Bowl advertising.

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In 2023 (Super Bowl LVII), Serena was everywhere. She starred in a massive Michelob Ultra commercial that was essentially a shot-for-shot remake of Caddyshack. She played the Ty Webb role, going head-to-head on the golf course against Brian Cox from Succession.

That same year, she also did a high-profile spot for Rémy Martin where she recited Al Pacino’s famous "inch by inch" speech from Any Given Sunday. Because these ads often air right before or after the halftime show, and because they feature such high production value, casual viewers often conflate the two.

But let’s be clear: 2025 was the first time she was physically part of the halftime production.

Behind the Scenes of the LIX Cameo

Kendrick's show was a massive production that included other heavy hitters like SZA and Samuel L. Jackson (who appeared as a narrator). Serena's involvement was kept under wraps until the very last second.

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The wardrobe choice was intentional. The red, white, and blue theme of the performers’ outfits was meant to reflect Kendrick's commentary on American culture. Serena’s cobalt blue look, designed by Nike, was a nod to her "tennis core" aesthetic while fitting the visual palette of the show perfectly.

She wasn't just a prop. She was a symbol of Compton excellence. Kendrick has often cited Serena as his pick for the greatest athlete of all time, and having her on stage during his biggest career milestone felt like a full-circle moment for two kids who grew up in the same neighborhood and conquered the world.

Why This Matters for the Super Bowl's Future

The "cameo culture" of the halftime show is shifting. It used to be just about bringing out other singers to handle a verse. Now, the NFL and producers like Roc Nation are leaning into cultural icons who represent the spirit of the headliner's story.

Serena Williams being in the Super Bowl halftime show proved that you don't need to be a professional singer to command that stage. You just need to be a legend.

What to do next if you're a fan:

• Watch the replay: Look for the 2025 Super Bowl LIX halftime show on YouTube or NFL+ to see the "Not Like Us" segment.
• Check the outfits: If you're into fashion, search for the "Nike 24.7" collection to see the pieces Serena wore on stage.
• Follow the history: Revisit the 2012 Olympic footage to see the original "controversial" dance move that started the whole conversation.

There is no more "was she or wasn't she." Serena Williams is officially part of Super Bowl halftime history.