Serena Williams has openly addressed accusations that she has been “bleaching her skin,” following widespread speculation stemming from a viral video. The tennis icon broke her silence on the matter during an Instagram Live session earlier this week.
The controversy began when Williams shared a video featuring herself at a school event with her daughters, Olympia and Adira, and her husband, Alexis Ohanian. Online chatter quickly spiraled, with some suggesting that the 43-year-old had intentionally lightened her complexion. Williams chose to confront these allegations directly while demonstrating products from her makeup brand, Wyn Beauty, during her live broadcast on Monday, December 2.
Setting the Record Straight
During the live session, Williams firmly denied the claims and clarified her stance:
“And then I put just that neutral color, that is actually my skin color, and no, for you haters out there, I do not bleach my skin,” she said. “There is a thing called sunlight, and in that sunlight, you get different colors.”
Williams further explained that the viral clip in question showed her wearing “stage makeup” as she volunteered at her daughter’s school play. She expressed her frustration at the unfounded claims, taking a strong stance against the criticism she had received.
Calling out her detractors, Williams added:
“Yes, I’m calling you out on this because it is ridiculous. Everyone’s like, ‘Oh, she bleached her skin.’ I’m a dark, Black woman, and I love who I am, and I love how I look.”
A Message of Self-Love
Despite the accusations, Williams emphasized her love for her natural complexion and dismissed any notion of altering it. She also made it clear that while she does not judge others who may choose to lighten their skin, it is “just not my thing.”
Wrapping up her comments on the matter, Williams concluded:
“And if people do it, that’s their thing, and they have every opportunity and they should. I don’t judge, but you guys do. But that’s what this world is about, and I stay in my lane — the non-judgy one, and I keep it. But no, I actually don’t bleach my skin, so can we just kinda clear that up?”
Life Beyond Tennis
Since retiring from professional tennis in 2022, Serena Williams has shifted her focus to family and personal ventures. In her retirement announcement, Williams reflected on the decision to prioritize her loved ones over her athletic career.
“If I have to choose between building my tennis résumé and building my family, I choose the latter,” she stated at the time. Williams expressed gratitude to her fans, saying:
“But please know that I am more grateful for you than I can ever express in words. You have carried me to so many wins and so many trophies. I’m going to miss that version of me, that girl who played tennis. And I’m going to miss you.”
Despite stepping away from the sport, Williams continues to captivate the public eye, not only as a businesswoman and mother but as a strong advocate for self-acceptance and resilience.