'I died a little': Serena Williams on surprise Super Bowl appearance
Tennis legend Serena Williams "died a little" making her surprise appearance during Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl half-time show performance on Sunday (09.02.25).
Serena Williams "died a little" making her surprise appearance during Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl half-time show performance on Sunday (09.02.25).
The 43-year-old tennis legend delighted fans when she joined the 37-year-old rapper on stage at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans when he performed a censored version of 'Not Like Us', his diss track about Drake - who dated the sportswoman in 2011 - and she loved the experience.
Shortly after the performance, Serena shared a video on Instagram of her practicing her moves while getting her hair and make-up done.
She captioned the clip: “Let’s go Super Bowl halftime??! I died a little! [dancer emoji] (sic)"
During his 13-minute set, Kendrick had repeatedly teased performing 'Not Like Us' before eventually delighting the crowd at the end of his set.
A couple of minutes into his performance, Kendrick said: "I want to play their favourite song ... but you know they love to sue."
Prior to the game, fans wondered whether the 'Like That' hitmaker would perform 'Not Like Us', after Drake previously filed a defamation lawsuit against his rap rival over lyrics that accuse him of being a sexual predator, which he denies.
The Grammy-winning star performed 'Not Like Us' at the end of his set, but he opted to censor the most controversial lyrics amid the ongoing legal battle.
Meanwhile, Kendrick's show also included performances of 'Humble', 'DNA', 'Squabble Up', 'Man At The Garden' and 'Euphoria', another Drake diss track.
The rapper arrived on stage atop a black Buick GNX car, the same model his father drove home from hospital after Kendrick was born in June 1987.
He was later joined on stage by SZA as they performed their hits 'All the Stars' and 'Luther', together, while Samuel L Jackson played host as Uncle Sam, praising the duo.
At one point, the actor said: "That's what I'm talking about. That's what America wants, nice and calm."
Kendrick's performance marked the first time that a solo rapper had headlined the Super Bowl, and his efforts were watched by a host of big names from the world of entertainment, including Sir Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, Taylor Swift, Ice Spice, Paul Rudd, and Bradley Cooper.
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22, thereby denying the Chiefs an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl victory.
