The famous sports commentator Stephen A. Smith sparked controversy with his opinion on the unexpected appearance of Serena Williams during the Super Bowl halftime show. The former tennis player was caught dancing while Kendrick Lamar performed “Not Like Us,” a song released amid the dispute between Lamar and Drake, with whom Williams was romantically linked in the past.
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The appearance of Williams at the Super Bowl fueled the controversy between Lamar and Drake, whose feud has dominated the rap scene in recent months. In the song “Not Like Us,” Lamar seemingly warns Drake that “better not talk about Serena,” which has been interpreted as a reference to the alleged relationship the former tennis player had with the Canadian.
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Stephen A. Smith Criticizes Serena Williams Following Her Super Bowl Appearance
During ESPN’s “First Take” program, Smith commented that if he were married to someone who joined in harassing her ex, he would opt for divorce. “If I’m married and my wife goes to join in harassing her ex, then she should go back to him. Because clearly, she doesn’t belong to me. Why do you care about him if you’re with me? Goodbye,” he stated.
Smith’s words sparked mixed reactions on social media and among his colleagues. Ryan Clark, co-host of the show, responded to him jokingly, suggesting that any man married to Serena Williams “would be a kept man anyway,” hinting at the huge influence and success of the former athlete.
Despite the controversy, Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian, showed no signs of discomfort. Through his X account, he praised his wife’s performance, calling it “the best of the Super Bowl”.
Serena Williams Can’t Escape Super Bowl Halftime Show Controversy
Venus Williams also supported her sister, sharing on social media a video of Serena dancing and noting that this is not the first crip walk she has performed in public, as in 2012 she celebrated in the same way her title at the London Olympics.
Williams, for his part, took the situation with humor. On his social media, he wrote: “I didn’t crip walk like that at Wimbledon. Oops, they would have fined me! It was all love.” Beyond the controversy, Lamar’s performance was one of the most talked-about moments of the Super Bowl.