Whoopi Goldberg is standing up for Serena Williams after the tennis icon’s surprise appearance at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show sparked debate.

Williams, 43, made an unexpected cameo during Kendrick Lamar’s performance on Sunday, February 9, an appearance that quickly gained attention.

As Lamar performed his hit song Not Like Us—widely recognized as a diss track aimed at rapper Drake—some fans and commentators, 

including ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, speculated that Williams was participating in an intentional jab at the Canadian rapper, whom she reportedly dated briefly in 2015.

Smith went as far as to suggest that if Williams was willing to be part of an act perceived as trolling Drake, 

she might as well rekindle their past relationship, despite her being married to entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian.

However, Goldberg had a very different take. During the Tuesday, February 11 episode of The View, the 69-year-old actress and television host voiced her frustration with the narrative being spun around Williams’ involvement.

“Why wasn’t it, ‘Damn, Serena was great?’ Why is it about some ex-boyfriend she hasn’t thought of?” Goldberg questioned. “She got a chance to do something she wanted to do, and she went and did it, and instead of saying, ‘Damn, that was kind of great,’ you’re bringing it back to some old stuff.”

Goldberg further criticized the tendency to frame women’s accomplishments in the context of their romantic relationships, rather than recognizing them for their own achievements.

“Stop trying to make it about somebody’s man,” she stated. “It ain’t always about somebody’s man. It’s about the person. Forget all that other stuff.”

Serena Williams’ Halftime Show Moment Had Deeper Meaning

Beyond the speculation surrounding Williams and Drake, her presence in Lamar’s performance carried a much deeper significance, particularly to those familiar with her career.

Following the Super Bowl, Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, took to X (formerly Twitter) to provide historical context for her dance moves during the show. He specifically referenced Williams performing the Crip Walk on stage—an act that drew harsh criticism when she did the same dance after winning Wimbledon in 2012.

“Some of y’all have no idea how criticized Serena was for this same dance at Wimbledon 13 years ago and it shows,” Ohanian wrote, emphasizing that her moment at the Super Bowl was bigger than just music.

He also attached a quote from a past article that had condemned her for the move at Wimbledon, calling it the “height of disrespect.” At the time, some critics accused her of showcasing gang culture on an international stage, while others saw it as a celebration of her roots and background.

By dancing on one of the biggest entertainment platforms in the world, Williams seemingly reclaimed a moment that had once been unfairly used to criticize her. Lamar’s performance itself was charged with political and cultural significance, further reinforcing that Williams’ involvement was not just about past personal relationships but about something much greater.

A Broader Discussion on Women in Entertainment

The discourse surrounding Williams’ appearance at the Super Bowl reflects a broader issue in how women in the public eye are often reduced to their romantic histories rather than their own achievements. Goldberg’s remarks underscore the need to move beyond these narratives and recognize women’s contributions in their own right.

Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, has long been a trailblazer in sports and beyond. Her presence at the Halftime Show was yet another reminder of her cultural influence, regardless of what some chose to focus on.

Goldberg’s defense of Williams highlights the ongoing challenge women face in being acknowledged for their success without unnecessary distractions. Instead of framing the moment as a message to an ex, as some commentators did, Goldberg and others urge people to see it for what it was—a powerful, personal, and meaningful moment for one of the greatest athletes of all time.

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