The internet exploded when a video of tennis icon Serena Williams dancing to Kendrick Lamar’s fiery diss track "Not Like Us"—a direct jab at Drake—went viral. The twist? Drake and Williams were once rumored to be an item, adding a layer of intrigue to the moment. Lamar, who headlined the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, brought the heat to Allegiant Stadium as the Philadelphia Eagles clashed with the two-time defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.
While the Eagles’ victory, denying the Chiefs a historic three-peat, was monumental, Lamar’s performance and Williams’ unexpected cameo stole the spotlight, becoming one of the most talked-about moments of the night.
The Serena Williams, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake connection
The Super Bowl halftime show took an unexpected turn when the camera panned to Serena Williams, who was seen crip walking to Kendrick Lamar’s "Not Like Us." The brief but electrifying cameo lasted mere seconds but left a lasting impression. Williams, a Compton native like Lamar, shares more than just hometown pride with the rapper. Both have a complicated history with Drake, who was once romantically linked to Williams. Drake has referenced her in his music, including his 2013 track "Worst Behavior" and his 2022 song "Middle of the Ocean," where he took a dig at her husband, Alexis Ohanian, calling him a "groupie."
Lamar’s "Not Like Us" even includes a lyrical nod to Williams, warning Drake to "better not speak on Serena." This isn’t the first time Williams has shown support for Lamar’s feud with Drake. At last year’s ESPY Awards, she humorously cautioned against crossing Lamar, quipping,
"If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that none of us, not a single one of us, not even me, should ever pick a fight with Kendrick Lamar." She then danced to "Not Like Us," further fueling the ongoing drama.
Serena Williams’ crip walk also holds personal significance. It echoed her celebratory dance at the 2012 Olympics after defeating Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon—a moment that sparked controversy and backlash. Critics labeled it inappropriate, while others defended it as an expression of joy. Over a decade later, Williams revisited the dance on one of the world’s biggest stages, reclaiming the narrative with confidence and flair.
Fan Reactions
The internet had a field day with Williams’ cameo, with fans flooding social media with reactions. The video of Williams and Lamar's viral moment was shared by Kira on their X handle (formerly Twitter), writing:
"kendrick getting serena williams to crip walk while performing not like us is nasty work."
Reacting to the video, here’s what they had to say:
"Low key this kinda shows Drake still on her mind rent free a bit."
"Getting a dude’s ex to crip walk in front of millions to a song about said dude being a pedo is wildly nasty work."
"Man that's the gangsta boogie."
"I screamed when I saw this."
"Serena crip walking in Drake’s grave."
The combination of Lamar’s scathing lyrics, Serena Williams’ bold dance moves, and the underlying history between the trio created a moment that transcended sports and music, leaving fans buzzing long after the final whistle.
As the dust settles on Super Bowl 2025, one thing is clear: Kendrick Lamar and Serena Williams delivered a halftime performance that will be remembered not just for its entertainment value, but for the layers of drama and history that made it unforgettable.