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Video: Serena Williams Makes Cameo in Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl 59 Halftime Show

Taylyn HadleyFebruary 10, 2025

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 09: Serena Williams performs onstage during Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

Fans watching Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl 59 halftime show, eagerly anticipating celebrity cameos, were thrilled to see tennis icon Serena Williams make an appearance.

Both stars grew up in Compton, California, and reconnected in New Orleans on the grandest stage of all. Williams danced beneath a streetlamp as Lamar performed his highly anticipated single "Not Like Us."

NFL @NFL

From Compton to NOLA. <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SerenaWilliams</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/kendricklamar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KendrickLamar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AppleMusicHalftime?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AppleMusicHalftime</a> <a href="https://t.co/mnzuP7fJ1N">pic.twitter.com/mnzuP7fJ1N</a>

Serena Williams @serenawilliams

Let's go Super Bowl halftime??! I died a little! πŸ’ƒπŸΏ <a href="https://t.co/MxEZTl7NUv">pic.twitter.com/MxEZTl7NUv</a>

The 43-year-old took to social media after the halftime show, making a reference to Wimbledon in the process:

Serena Williams @serenawilliams

Super Bowl halftime show babyyyyyyyyy <a href="https://t.co/zufoSNdNhe">pic.twitter.com/zufoSNdNhe</a>

Williams, born in Saginaw, Michigan, before moving to Compton, is a well-known figure in the area, with the community taking pride in the success of the Williams sisters.

"This whole city, man, every time you mention the Williams' names, it's like: 'Compton!'" said local tennis coach Larry Ready, per ESPN's Jim Caple. "You know they're excited about them. They're really motivated and inspired. Even people driving by the courts, they'll yell, 'You ever call Serena and Venus to come over and help you?' They love their Venus and Serena."

Williams boasts an impressive 858-156 professional record, along with 73 singles titles and 23 Grand Slam titles.

The tennis star was a small piece in a larger story told by Lamar, who was also joined by SZA and Samuel L. Jackson.

"I've always been very open about storytelling through all my catalog and my history of music," Lamar told reporters on Thursday, per ESPN's Brianna Williams "... Whether it's a world tour or whether it's 500 people at Key Club, I like to always ... make people listen, but also see and think a little."

While Lamar's storytelling took center stage, it was Williams' impressive dance moves that truly stole the show.