Serena Williams Reflects On Her Super Bowl Halftime Show Appearance

February 12, 2025

Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty

The numbers are in! Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance has made history as the most-watched halftime show of all time, according to a post from Roc Nation on Feb. 11. Kendrick’s explosive performance on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 9) garnered a total of 133.5 million viewers, surpassing the legendary Michael Jackson’s 1993 halftime performance, which had 133.3 million viewers, as reported by Sports Illustrated.

Lamar’s show captivated audiences with stunning choreography, powerful symbolism, and a profound message that highlighted Black history and systemic issues that continue to impact the community. His performance was a statement on social justice, with subtle but impactful commentary woven throughout. The show also featured surprise cameos from Hollywood icons like Samuel L. Jackson, music sensation SZA, and tennis legend Serena Williams, adding extra star power to an already unforgettable spectacle.

Serena Williams Crip Walk

Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show

Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty

On Feb. 11, Williams, who lit up the internet after she appeared onstage during Lamar’s Grammy-award-winning diss track “Not Like Us,” took to Instagram to gush about the iconic moment. The former pro-tennis champion danced and cripped-walked to the catchy hit as the rapper and his dancers brought the house down on the field. While some speculated that her surprise appearance was a subtle dig at her ex, rapper Drake—given that the diss track is aimed at him—Williams revealed that the moment was about something far more meaningful than her past relationship with the hip-hop star in 2011.

In her post uploaded Tuesday, the mother of two shared that Kendrick’s team reached out to her, asking if she would recreate the iconic moment when she crip-walked on the court after earning a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics.

“I’m like Super Bowl? Are you serious?” she recalled of her reaction after receiving the call from Lamar’s camp. “When in the world would I ever be able to dance at a Superbowl? (Never) let’s do it! I knew my winning dance after the @olympics would pay off one day. End of story,” Williams added.