During the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show, Serena Williams made a bold statement by performing the Crip Walk, a dance move with deep cultural roots, alongside Kendrick Lamar. 
This act, reminiscent of her controversial performance at Wimbledon over a decade ago, reignited discussions on cultural identity, appropriation, and the pressures on public figures. 
The performance drew mixed reactions; while some celebrated the authenticity and representation, others, including sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, critiqued it, with Smith humorously suggesting he would have considered divorce over such a public display.
The discourse extended beyond the dance, touching on broader themes of misogyny and the scrutiny faced by women of color in the spotlight. Critics of the halftime show felt it missed the mark in terms of broad appeal, yet supporters lauded the cultural significance, emphasizing the importance of such expressions in mainstream events.