Serena Williams stuck up for Taylor Swift after the singer was booed during Sunday’s Super Bowl 2025 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
Serena Williams at a JP Morgan event in Miami on Feb. 5.MEGA
The “Love Story” performer, 35, appeared on the Jumbotron as the game got underway at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, but she was quickly met with loud boos from Eagles fans.
Swift, who was at the game supporting her boyfriend, Chiefs star Travis Kelce, was caught off guard by the harsh response and asked, “What’s going on?”
Taylor Swift booed at the Super Bowl.X/@SamuelBrownRBT via REUTERS
Williams, 43, defended Swift in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“I love you @taylorswift13 dont listen to those booo!!” the pro tennis player wrote.
Williams shared the tweet before she made a surprise appearance during Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance at Caesars Superdome.
The famous athlete was captured dancing the crip walk to Lamar’s smash hit “Not Like Us” — his diss track about Williams’ ex, Drake.
Williams and Drake dated each other in 2011. The rapper, 38, revealed in footage released over the summer he wrote the 2016 song “Too Good” for Williams.
Serena Williams dancing in Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show.AP
In addition to her history with Drake, Williams’ appearance in the halftime show could be chalked up to the fact that she and Lamar, 37, are both from Compton, Calif.
Shortly after the performance, Williams shared a video that featured her practicing her dance moves backstage in a white top, a blue jacket, a matching skirt and sneakers.
“Let’s go Super Bowl halftime??! I died a little!” she wrote.
Serena Williams during the Super Bowl halftime show.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation
Williams also shared behind-the-scenes photos from rehearsals with her older daughter Olympia, 7, whom she shares with husband Alexis Ohanian.
“Rehearsals anyone?” she captioned the post.
William’s husband was among those who praised her dance moves at the Super Bowl. Ohanian, 41, wrote on X, “Pretty fantastic halftime show.”
Serena Williams with her husband and daughter at the 2024 ESPYs.Disney
Lamar’s performance also included cameos by actor Samuel L. Jackson, who was dressed as “Uncle Sam” and emceed throughout the performance, and DJ Mustard.
The Grammy Award winner brought out SZA, who looked stunning in a red leather outfit, to perform their songs “Luther” and “All the Stars.”
Kendrick Lamar performing at the Super Bowl.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The game ended in an Eagles victory by a score of 40-22, crushing the Chiefs’ dream of winning their third-straight Super Bowl.
Kelce, 35, joined Swift in her suite after the brutal defeat. The athlete had zero receptions in the first half of the game and is now facing questions about his future in the NFL.
Swift has been supporting Kelce and the Chiefs throughout the past two seasons. The couple started dating in 2023.
