5 Things You Never Knew About Serena Williams' Controversial 'Crip Walk' Dance

The "Crip Walk" performed by tennis legend Serena Williams is one of the most unexpected and highly debated victory celebrations in modern sports history, a moment that transcends the world of tennis to become a significant cultural flashpoint. As of December 18, 2025, the conversation around this dance has experienced a massive resurgence, not just for the original 2012 Olympic moment, but for its stunning, politically-charged revival at a recent major event.

This article dives deep into the two pivotal moments the world witnessed Serena Williams execute the C-Walk: the initial, controversial celebration at the London Olympics, and its powerful, context-heavy reappearance at Super Bowl LIX, revealing the true meaning and impact behind a move that shocked the establishment and thrilled millions.

Serena Jameka Williams: A Profile of the GOAT

Serena Jameka Williams is an American former professional tennis player, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most impactful athletes of all time.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

• Full Name: Serena Jameka Williams
• Born: September 26, 1981 (Age 44, as of 2025)
• Place of Birth: Saginaw, Michigan, U.S.
• Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, U.S.
• Sister: Venus Williams (also a former World No. 1 tennis player)
• Professional Career: 1995–2022
• Grand Slam Singles Titles: 23 (An Open Era record)
• Olympic Medals: Four Gold Medals (One singles, three doubles)
• Career Highlights: Held the World No. 1 ranking for 319 weeks, including a joint-record 186 consecutive weeks.
• Legacy: Revolutionized women's tennis with her powerful style of play and immense athleticism.

The Shocking Dance That Defined the 2012 Olympics

The original "Crip Walk" moment occurred during the 2012 London Olympics, immediately following one of the most dominant performances of her career.

The Context: A Historic Olympic Gold

On August 4, 2012, Serena Williams achieved a career milestone by defeating her rival, Maria Sharapova, in a stunning 6–0, 6–1 victory to secure the Olympic gold medal in women's singles. This victory made her only the second woman in history to complete a career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles (having won all four Grand Slams and an Olympic gold).

The sheer dominance of the performance was a statement, but it was the celebration afterward that truly captured global attention. Overwhelmed with emotion, Williams jumped up and down, then performed a short, energetic dance on the hallowed grass of Wimbledon.

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

What is the 'Crip Walk'?

The dance Williams performed is known as the "Crip Walk" or "C-Walk." It is a street dance that originated in the 1970s and is historically associated with the Crips gang in the Compton and Watts areas of Los Angeles—Serena and her sister Venus Williams grew up in Compton.

The dance, characterized by swift, intricate footwork and body shifts, was traditionally used by gang members for celebratory purposes, sometimes even after committing a crime or murder. This controversial origin is why the dance, particularly when performed on a global stage like the Olympics, sparked an immediate and intense backlash.

The 2012 Backlash and Criticism

The reaction to the 2012 C-Walk was highly polarized. While many in the Black community saw it as an authentic expression of joy and a nod to her roots, others, particularly in mainstream and conservative media, condemned it.

• The Unseen Story Jessica Simpsons Battle For Privacy And Body Image In A Digital Age Mlvqa

Critics argued that the dance was inappropriate for the Olympic stage due to its gang affiliations, calling it "classless" and "disrespectful." This criticism was often viewed through a racialized lens, questioning why a Black athlete's authentic, spontaneous celebration was scrutinized when similar emotional outbursts from white athletes were often celebrated as passion.

Williams herself never officially addressed the dance by name at the time, but the controversy highlighted the intense scrutiny and double standards she faced throughout her career as a powerful, outspoken Black woman in a traditionally conservative sport.

From Controversy to Cultural Statement: The Super Bowl LIX Revival

The conversation around the Crip Walk was abruptly reignited in a powerful and unexpected way years later, providing a fresh context and new meaning to the famous dance.

The Super Bowl LIX Cameo

In a moment that went viral instantly, Serena Williams made a surprise appearance during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, joining rapper Kendrick Lamar on stage. Lamar, a fellow Compton native, was performing his hit diss track, "Not Like Us," a song aimed directly at his rival, Drake.

As the beat dropped, Williams performed the Crip Walk again, this time on one of the world's biggest cultural stages. The intentionality of the performance was clear: it was a calculated cultural statement, not a spontaneous emotional outburst.

The 'Drake Diss' Interpretation

The most widely accepted interpretation of the Super Bowl C-Walk centers on a high-profile personal connection: Drake is Serena Williams' ex-boyfriend.

By performing the dance to a track that was a direct, scathing diss of Drake, Williams was seen by many to be publicly aligning herself with Kendrick Lamar and, by extension, endorsing the message of the track. This move was viewed as a powerful, public, and highly satisfying clapback to her former flame, solidifying the moment as one of the most talked-about celebrity endorsements in recent memory.

Reclaiming the Narrative and Intersectionality

The Super Bowl performance changed the public perception of the dance. In 2012, it was seen as a controversial misstep; in 2024 (the year of the Super Bowl LIX), it was celebrated as a powerful act of reclaiming her narrative and cultural identity.

Her use of the C-Walk, a dance rooted in the streets of Compton, on a global platform, is a significant statement on intersectionality—the complex, overlapping nature of her identity as a Black woman, an athlete, and a product of a specific, often marginalized, community. It asserts that her roots and her success are not separate, but inextricably linked.

Ultimately, Serena Williams' Crip Walk, both in 2012 and at Super Bowl LIX, serves as a testament to her uncompromising authenticity. It is a phenomenal gesture in sports and culture that continues to spark debate, demonstrating that Williams' impact extends far beyond the tennis court.