What Really Happened With Serena Williams in the Halftime Show

When the lights dimmed at the Caesars Superdome during Super Bowl LIX, nobody really expected a tennis racket-sized hole in the middle of a rap concert. But there she was. Serena Williams, the undisputed GOAT of the court, was suddenly front and center during Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 halftime performance. It wasn't a glitch in the matrix. It was a calculated, high-stakes cultural moment that had people screaming at their TVs from New Orleans to New York.

If you’re wondering why was Serena Williams in the halftime show, you aren’t alone. It felt random. At first. But once the beat for "Not Like Us" dropped, the pieces of the puzzle started falling into place with surgical precision.

The Compton Connection and the "C-Walk"

First off, you have to look at the geography. Kendrick Lamar and Serena Williams aren't just two famous people; they are two of the most successful exports from Compton, California. They share a hometown pride that runs deeper than a simple celebrity friendship.

During the set, Serena didn't just stand there looking iconic in her custom cobalt blue Nike tennis skirt. She started Crip Walking. Specifically, she revived the exact dance move that got her into hot water back at the 2012 London Olympics. When she won gold at Wimbledon years ago and busted out that move, the media—specifically outlets like Fox Sports—absolutely shredded her for it. They called it "crass" and "inappropriate."

By bringing her out to do that exact dance in 2025, Kendrick was essentially giving her a 100-yard-long platform to say, "I’m still here, and I’m still from Compton." It was a full-circle redemption moment. Serena later admitted on Instagram that Kendrick’s team told her they’d been "trying to do something forever" and specifically wanted to reference that Olympic dance.

The Drake Factor: It Wasn’t Just a Dance

Let's be real—we have to talk about the "certified lover boy" in the room. Serena’s presence was a massive, neon-lit chess move in the ongoing feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake.

Kendrick didn’t just pick any song for Serena’s cameo. He chose "Not Like Us," a track that famously warns, "better not speak on Serena." The history between Williams and Drake is... messy. They were romantically linked back in 2015. Since then, Drake has taken several weird swipes at her and her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. He notably called Ohanian a "groupie" on the track "Middle of the Ocean."

Having Serena on stage dancing to a song that is effectively a funeral march for Drake’s reputation was the ultimate "get back." It was Kendrick showing that he has the support of the people Drake has alienated over the years. Honestly, seeing Serena C-walk while Kendrick rapped about "the culture" felt like the final nail in a very specific coffin.

The Breakdown of the Set

Kendrick’s show was dense. It was satirical, political, and heavily influenced by West Coast imagery.

• The Theme: A "satirical nod to patriotism" with red, white, and blue everywhere.
• The Special Guests: SZA joined for "All the Stars," and Samuel L. Jackson appeared as a sort of "Uncle Sam" narrator.
• The Impact: It was the first time a solo rapper headlined the Super Bowl, making Serena's inclusion even more historic.

Why This Mattered for Serena Personally

Serena has been retired since 2022, but she’s been busier than ever with her venture capital firm and her beauty brand, Wyn Beauty. Yet, the Super Bowl is different. She told fans she "died a little" when she got the call. Even for someone with 23 Grand Slams, the halftime show is the one stage she never thought she'd stand on.

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Critics tried to claim she was being "petty" by joining a diss-track performance. Serena, however, cleared the air pretty quickly. She called it a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" and emphasized that it was about the culture and the hometown connection rather than just a "troll" move. Her husband, Alexis Ohanian, backed her up, basically telling critics that they weren't on her level of "thin air" success.

Practical Takeaways for the Culture Obsessed

If you’re trying to understand how these moments are crafted, keep these points in mind:

1. Context is King: A guest appearance is rarely just about a person; it’s about what they represent (in this case, Compton excellence and a specific "f-you" to past critics).
2. Redemption Arcs Sell: Using a controversial past moment (the 2012 dance) and turning it into a victory lap is a classic PR move that works every time.
3. Collaborations are Strategic: Kendrick didn't need a tennis player for a music show, but he needed a legend to solidify the weight of his message.

For those looking to dive deeper into the Kendrick vs. Drake lore or Serena's post-tennis career, looking at the lyrics of "Not Like Us" alongside the 2012 Olympic headlines provides the full picture. The Super Bowl isn't just a game; it's the world's most expensive stage for settling scores and cementing legacies.