Serena Williams resists Taylor Swift temptation after ‘awful’ moment at Super Bowl

Serena Williams clapped back at Philadelphia Eagles fans who booed Taylor Swift at Super Bowl LIX, insisting that their behavior was “awful.”

While cheering on boyfriend Travis Kelce from a suite during the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 blowout loss to the Eagles, Swift’s evening went from bad to worse after she received a cold welcome from those in attendance. Upon being shown on the jumbotron at the Caesars Superdome, the pop icon was showered in boos from Philadelphia fans lining the stands.

The rude gesture didn’t sit well with many in the sports world, including Erin Andrews and Williams, who questioned why Eagles supporters treated Swift that way. “Why would you boo her?” the tennis legend told Time Magazine’s Sean Gregory. “That’s so mean. That’s just awful.”

Williams nearly crossed paths with Swift at the Super Bowl, as the 43-year-old waited outside of the songstress’ suite in hopes of acquiring an autograph for her daughter, Olympia. “I’m such a mom. I was ready to go in here myself and be like, ‘Taylor, come get this girl,’” she said.

“My husband and I, we’re so in a different space. We’re so connected, we’re so in love, we’re just, like, trying to get our daughter Taylor Swift autographs. And nothing else.”

Given the fact that the Chiefs were losing badly for much of the contest, however, Williams ultimately decided not to approach Swift. “It’s hard when your team is losing. I totally get it,” she added.

Williams wasn’t exempt from backlash, either, following her own appearance at Super Bowl LIX. During Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show, she joined the rapper onstage and began crip walking as the lyrics to the track “Not Like Us” rang out.

On the heels of the divisive performance, The FCC received approximately 125 complaints regarding Lamar’s performance, with one individual alleging that Williams’ brief appearance promoted “gang affiliation.” Others speculated that her crip walk was an unsubtle dig at Drake, who she dated on and off from 2011 to 2015.

Looking back on the incident, Williams conceded that she may not have gone through with the performance had she known the strong reaction it’d generate. “I don’t know if I regret it or not,” Williams said. “I don’t know the answer to that.”