Whoopi Goldberg Defends Serena Williams Amidst Stephen A. Smith's Criticism
Whoopi Goldberg , Will SmithIn the aftermath of Serena Williams' surprise cameo during Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show performance, a media storm erupted over Stephen A. Smith's comments linking her appearance to her past relationship with rapper Drake. Whoopi Goldberg was quick to defend Williams, calling out Smith for his remarks on her talk show, "The View".
Goldberg questioned why the focus wasn't on Williams' performance itself. "Why wasn’t it, ‘Damn, Serena was great’? Why is it about some ex-boyfriend she hasn’t thought of?" Goldberg voiced her frustration on air, emphasizing that Williams' moment shouldn’t be overshadowed by her past. "All you can think of is her ex-boyfriend? I don’t understand. Why would you even think it was [about Drake]? Why would you think she’s not smart enough?"
Stephen A. Smith had ignited controversy by suggesting that Williams’ Crip Walk during Lamar's track "Not Like Us", a known Drake diss, was inappropriate if she were to be in a relationship that led to marriage. Goldberg, along with her cohosts, argued that Williams was simply seizing a moment she wanted to enjoy. "She got a chance to do something she wanted to do, and she went and did it", Goldberg asserted, urging viewers to appreciate Williams' performance rather than fixating on her past relationships.
Smith responded to the backlash, clarifying that his comments were made in jest, and intended to reflect what he thought many men might think in a similar situation. However, Goldberg's defense of Williams highlights a broader issue: the tendency to attribute women's achievements and moments to the influence of men in their past, rather than recognizing their personal agency and success.
While Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian, subtly backed his wife on social media, telling critics to recognize Williams' history-making moments for what they are, Goldberg's support underscores the importance of allowing women to shape their narrative, free from antiquated assumptions and unnecessary commentary about their personal lives.
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