Serena Williams Discusses Her Unexpected Arrival at the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Performance

Serena Williams “died a little” when she made an unexpected cameo during Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show featuring Kendrick Lamar.

Fans were thrilled when the 43-year-old tennis great joined the 37-year-old rapper on stage at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. She liked the moment when he sang an edited version of his diss tune, “Not Like Us,” which was about Drake, who dated the sportswoman in 2011.

Serena posted a video on Instagram shortly after the performance, showing her rehearsing her skills while getting her hair and makeup done.
She wrote, “Let’s go Super Bowl halftime??!” as the caption for the video. I almost died! [emoji for dancer] (sic)

Before finally surprising the audience with a performance of “Not Like Us,” Kendrick teased the song several times during his 13-minute set.

“You know they love to sue,” Kendrick stated a few minutes into his performance, “but I want to play their favorite song.”

After Drake previously sued his rap competitor for defamatory lyrics that accused him of sexually predatory behavior, which he denies, fans questioned whether the “Like That” hitmaker would play “Not Like Us” before the game.

In light of the continuing legal dispute, the Grammy-winning artist chose to edit the most contentious lyrics of his final song, “Not Like Us.”

Kendrick also sang Drake’s diss song “Euphoria,” “Humble,” “DNA,” “Squabble Up,” and “Man At The Garden” throughout his presentation.

After Kendrick was born in June 1987, the rapper rode up on stage in a black Buick GNX, the same vehicle his father had driven home from the hospital.

Later, SZA joined him on stage and they sang their singles “All the Stars” and “Luther,” with Samuel L. Jackson, who was hosting as Uncle Sam, complimenting the two.

The actor stated: “That’s what I’m talking about,” at one point. That is what America desires—calm and pleasant.

Several well-known figures from the entertainment industry, including Sir Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, Taylor Swift, Ice Spice, Paul Rudd, and Bradley Cooper, saw Kendrick’s performance, which was the first time a solo rapper has hosted the Super Bowl.

The Chiefs were unable to win an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 40–22.