Whoopi Goldberg did not hold back when addressing Stephen A. Smith’s remarks about Serena Williams’ appearance during the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. 

On Tuesday’s episode of The View, Goldberg criticized Smith for suggesting that Williams’ brief performance had anything to do with her ex-boyfriend, rapper Drake.

Whoopi Goldberg Calls Out Stephen A. Smith’s Take

Goldberg, 69, questioned why Smith chose to frame Williams’ Super Bowl moment around her past relationship

rather than celebrating her for the accomplished athlete and public figure she is.

“Why wasn’t it, ‘Damn, Serena was great’? Why is it about some ex-boyfriend she hasn’t thought of?” Goldberg asked.

“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?”

Goldberg’s frustration stemmed from Smith’s reaction on First Take, where he controversially stated that if Williams were his wife and participated in such a moment, he would have divorced her.

Stephen A. Smith’s Controversial Comments

During Monday’s episode of First Take, Smith, 57, shared his perspective on Williams’ Super Bowl appearance, particularly her dancing during Kendrick Lamar’s performance of Not Like Us—a song widely regarded as a diss track aimed at Drake.

“If I’m married and my wife is going to join trolling her ex, go back to his ass,” Smith said. “’Cause, clearly, you don’t belong with me. What you worried about him for and you’re with me? Bye. Bye.”

Smith’s remarks sparked immediate backlash, with many questioning why he would assume Williams’ dance had anything to do with Drake.

Williams’ Dance Was About Celebration, Not Drake

Goldberg made it clear that Williams, 43, who has been happily married to entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian since 2017, was simply enjoying herself and had no hidden agenda.

“She got a chance to do something she wanted to do, and she went and did it,” Goldberg said on The View. “And instead of saying, ‘Damn, that was kind of great,’ you’re bringing it back to some old stuff.”

Goldberg further criticized the notion that a woman’s public actions must always be tied to a man, stating, “Stop trying to make it about somebody’s man. It ain’t always about somebody’s man. It’s about the person.”

Co-Hosts Weigh In on Smith’s Comments

Goldberg’s View co-hosts also voiced their disapproval of Smith’s take.

Sara Haines pointed out that Williams’ husband, Ohanian, had no issue with her halftime cameo, even praising the show on social media. “I think it says more about the security of the man in the marriage than it would about that because even her husband was like, ‘Pretty fantastic halftime show.’ Like, it was awesome,” Haines said.

Sunny Hostin provided additional context, noting that Williams had previously faced criticism for doing the Crip Walk after winning gold at the 2012 Olympics. “She took a lot of criticism for doing that,” Hostin explained. “What she was doing was being her authentic self, an homage to her roots from Compton, and it was black joy and black excellence.”

Alyssa Farah Griffin also added that if Williams had been throwing shade at Drake, it would be justified. “He’s taken digs at her husband,” Griffin said, referring to lyrics in Drake’s songs that many believe were directed at Ohanian. “I don’t even know that it counts as petty when he’s been deeply petty to you and you’re just clapping back.”

Serena Williams Addresses the Super Bowl Cameo

Despite the controversy stirred by Smith’s comments, Williams herself dismissed the idea that her performance had anything to do with her past relationship with Drake. She clarified that she participated in the halftime show simply because she was invited by Lamar’s team.

“End of story,” Williams stated, shutting down speculation that her appearance was meant as a jab at her ex.

Drake and Lamar’s Ongoing Feud

While Williams has distanced herself from the drama, Drake and Lamar’s ongoing feud continues to make headlines. Their rivalry has been heating up since 2023, with Not Like Us being one of the most talked-about diss tracks aimed at Drake.

Still, Goldberg and her co-hosts on The View emphasized that Serena Williams’ moment on the Super Bowl stage was hers alone—and had nothing to do with past relationships.