Background: Serena’s Super Bowl Cameo & That Spark
In February, Serena Williams made a surprise cameo during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show. Immediately, opinions flew. On First Take, Stephen A. Smith questioned the energy behind her appearance — especially considering her past relationship with Drake. He asked, “Why that energy for an ex?” The line hit a nerve.
Shortly after, Alexis Ohanian (Serena’s husband) appeared on First Take and playfully challenged Smith. He quipped that Smith had “marriage advice” for him, pointing to the fact that Smith had never married. The back-and-forth gained traction.
That’s the setup. But the real fireworks came when Smith finally addressed Ohanian directly. The rest of this article unpacks that response — in full — and teases out what it means culturally, socially, and in celebrity dynamics.
Stephen A. Smith’s Reaction: Addressing Ohanian Head-On
Stephen A. Smith finally broke his silence regarding Alexis Ohanian’s jabs.
He said: “Serena Williams, you know, she is married to a millionaire, Alexis Ohanian, and he came on First Take today. People are talking about how he came at me, and took a sly dig because of what I said when Serena Williams went on stage performing at the Super Bowl. I’ve never met this man; I wish I was in the studio today, but I’m not. … It would have been nice to meet him, I don’t know the man. I have nothing against him whatsoever.”
He made clear that his absence from the studio that day was due to some “speaking arrangement.” He claimed he never intended to throw shade at Ohanian specifically.
He added: “When Super Bowl Sunday took place, when Kendrick Lamar was performing, Serena Williams came on stage, dancing to all of that … what I said was, ‘Why that energy for an ex?’ … If that was my wife, I don’t want to see that. Because of that, that’s what he was alluding to. … I have absolutely no issue with him … wanting to address that situation with me.”
Smith emphasized he meant no disrespect and said that what really bothered him was the idea of a spouse showing “that energy” toward an ex. He framed it as a boundary, not a personal vendetta.
He admitted he might’ve handled the aftermath differently (more respectfully) but remained firm about his core point: respect, loyalty, and boundaries matter in relationships — even in celebrity land.
The Nuance: What Smith Is Trying to Say (Beyond the Headlines)
Smith’s response operates on multiple levels. On the surface, it’s a self-defense move. But deeper, it’s a statement about public boundaries, masculinity, and celebrity dynamics.
He’s signaling: “I’ll speak — but I expect respect in return.” He’s also pushing a narrative about how men respond when their spouse shows energy toward an ex. He frames it as emotional labor, relationship priorities, and unspoken rules in celebrity marriage contexts.
Also, by emphasizing that he’s never met Ohanian and has “nothing against him,” Smith tries to avoid direct hostility. He positions this as discourse, not a feud. That matters — it softens the blow and gives him plausible deniability in media cycles.
Ohanian’s Initial Comments & Why They Landed
Before Smith’s reply, Ohanian’s move was subtle but sharp. On First Take, he teased:
“Stephen A., I think you had some marriage advice for me … I was hoping you were going to be here. … I was gonna ask, cause, you hadn’t been married before, right?”
He leaned into the fact that Smith never married. He implicitly challenged Smith’s credibility to give marriage-based critiques.
His line about “I build billion-dollar companies … I generally try to stay in my lane” was playful, but a jab. He was saying — “Yo, you don’t know my life, don’t opine on mine.” He forced the conversation into territory of credentials, authority, and whether Smith has earned the right to comment.
Because Ohanian framed it lightly (joking tone), the backlash (or defense) would pivot on how Smith responds. He gave Smith a door to clarify, backpedal, or double down. Smith chose a hybrid of the second and third.
How Celebrity Spouses Navigate Public Discourse
This isn’t just about Smith or Ohanian. It’s about how celebrity couples — especially black couples — manage public scrutiny and commentary.
When one spouse speaks and the other defends, the optics become complicated. People expect performance, loyalty, image management. When social media is watching, every comment doubles as content.
Smith’s framework appeals to many who believe in protective boundaries in relationships. He’s saying: “If my partner is doing something that feels disrespectful toward an ex, I gotta ask why.” That resonates in cultural conversations about loyalty, respect, and emotional labor — especially for black women and their partners.
Ohanian’s move, on the other hand, is a brand play. He’s defending Serena. He’s pushing back at commentary around her behavior. He’s also reminding the public: “I am a partner; I don’t shrink when my spouse is defended.”