On December 2, 2024, tennis legend Serena Williams addressed and firmly denied rumors suggesting she had bleached her skin. During an Instagram Live session, Williams, 43, took the opportunity to confront these speculations while conducting a makeup tutorial for her beauty brand, Wyn Beauty.
The rumors emerged after Williams shared a video from a school event with her husband, Alexis Ohanian, and their daughters, Olympia and Adira. In the video, her complexion appeared lighter than usual, leading to online speculation about skin bleaching. Addressing these claims, Williams clarified that the perceived change in her skin tone was due to lighting conditions and the “stage makeup” she wore for the event. She emphasized, “There is a thing called sunlight, and in that sunlight, you get different colors.”
Expressing her pride in her identity, Williams stated, “I am a dark Black woman, and I love who I am, and I love how I look.” She reiterated that skin bleaching is “just not my thing,” while also noting that she does not judge others who choose to alter their appearance. “If people do it, that’s their thing, and they have every opportunity and they should. I don’t judge, but you guys do,” she remarked.
This isn’t the first time Williams has faced scrutiny over her appearance. In May 2021, she deleted a photo from Instagram after fans accused her of skin bleaching due to her lighter complexion in the image. At that time, many speculated that the appearance was a result of poor lighting or makeup choices.
Williams has consistently been open about her beauty routines and any treatments she undergoes. In June 2024, she shared a video of herself receiving a radio-frequency treatment to tighten her stomach, aiming to regain confidence after giving birth to her daughters. She candidly discussed her self-consciousness regarding her tummy and the positive results from the treatment.
