Serena Williams’ crip walk is still the talk of the internet months after the Super Bowl. The athlete dazzled on stage as she executed a perfect crip walk during Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show. Meanwhile, speculation has trailed her performance, with many suggesting the dance was a subtle dig at her ex, Drake. However, Williams has addressed the rumors, saying she didn’t dance to shade Drake. Moreover, there was a hint of alcohol behind the historic move.
Serena Williams Clears The Air On Crip Walk
Serena Williams has refuted suggestions that her crip walk was a shade to Drake. The tennis champion sat for an interview with Time, revealing why she joined Kendrick Lamar on stage. She noted that she harbors no ill will toward Drake despite his aggression toward her family for many years. As to why she performed the iconic crip walk during Lamar’s Halftime show, Serena Williams says it was a nod to her roots.
Lamar notably performed Not Like Us, a hit track he created as a Drake diss. Williams also dated Drake on and off from 2011 to 2015. However, she revealed that dissing the rapper was the last thing on her mind during the performance. “Absolutely not,” she replied when asked if she meant to shade him for the few seconds she was on stage. “I would never do that,” she added.
Serena Williams said it was “sad that anyone would ever think that” she did the crip walk to mock Drake. “I respect how they could. Obviously I can see how someone would think that, but absolutely not. I have never had negative feelings towards him. We’ve known him for so many years,” she added.
Serena Williams’ Crip Walk Created Controversy
Serena Williams probably never imagined the kind of impact her crip walk would have. In addition to the memes, speculations, and rumors of a Drake diss, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) received numerous complaints. The commission reportedly received 125 complaints, including one that said Serena Williams promoted “gang affiliation” with her crip walk.
Meanwhile, the tennis star’s cameo isn’t her first rodeo at crip, walking publicly or facing backlash because of it. In 2012, Williams performed the same moves after beating Maria Sharapova to win the London Olympics at Wimbledon. The same controversy arose at the time as critics claimed she promoted gang culture.
In response to reporters’ questions at the time, Williams said, per The Guardian, “First of all, it was just a dance. I didn’t know that’s what it was called. Second, why are you asking me that? If anything, you should be trying to ask me questions to lift me up, not bring such things … I’m done with that question.”
Serena Williams Doesn’t Know If She Regrets Her Cameo
Speaking to Time, Serena William said she’s not sure about her feelings on the crip walk. “I don’t know if I regret it or not,” she said of her cameo, “I don’t know the answer to that.” Nevertheless, the performance was significant because of her and Lamar’s roots. The pair are Compton natives, so the moves were a nod to their origin. Meanwhile, before his show, the Pulitzer Prize winner had also said fans could expect “storytelling.” Serena Williams’ cameo tied up with that.
“I think I’ve always been very open about storytelling through all my catalog and my history of music, and I’ve always had a passion about bringing that on whatever stage I’m on,” Lamar said per PEOPLE.
Meanwhile, in surprising news, Serena Williams revealed that she took two tequila shots before her performance. The investor joined SZA and Samuel L. Jackson for the Super Bowl Halftime show.
Fans are divided over Serena Williams’ comments on her crip walk. While some believe the businesswoman meant no harm, others think she, or at least Kendrick Lamar, had every intention of shading Drake.
#Clique, what do you think about Serena Williams’ comments on her reason for cripwalking at the Super Bowl Halftime Show? Let us know in the comments.
