Tennis legend Serena Williams made a surprise appearance at the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, and it was a moment that will be remembered for a long time. During Kendrick Lamar’s high-energy performance, the camera panned to Williams, who effortlessly busted out a few steps of the iconic crip walk dance.
The brief cameo sent social media into a frenzy, with fans praising Williams’ cool and effortless moves. The dance, which was created in the 1970s by Robert “Sugar Bear” Jackson, has a rich history in hip-hop culture, and Williams’ nod to it was seen as a powerful tribute.
From Compton to NOLA. @SerenaWilliams @KendrickLamar #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/mnzuP7fJ1N
— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025
This wasn’t Williams’ first time showcasing her dance skills. Back in 2012, she crip walked on the court at Wimbledon after winning gold, a move that sparked both celebration and controversy. While some praised her for embracing her roots and expressing herself, others criticized her for allegedly disrespecting the dance’s origins.
Super Bowl halftime show babyyyyyyyyy pic.twitter.com/zufoSNdNhe
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) February 10, 2025
Williams has now addressed her latest crip walk cameo, joking on social media that she didn’t dance like that at Wimbledon, or she would have been fined. Fans have been praising her for her surprising appearance at the Super Bowl, with many calling it a “power move” and a testament to her enduring legend status.
The cameo was also seen as a subtle nod to Williams’ connection to Kendrick Lamar, who also grew up in Compton, California. The two have been friends for years, and Williams’ appearance at the Super Bowl was seen as a show of support for Lamar’s music and message.
In the end, Williams didn’t need a touchdown or a microphone to steal the show. All it took was five seconds, a legendary dance move, and the right song at the right time. And just like that, Serena Williams won the Super Bowl.
