Serena Williams at 2024 ESPY Awards

Serena Williams Fires Back At Criticism Over Her Appearance

Home / Entertainment / Serena Williams Fires Back At Criticism Over Her Appearance

By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on August 22, 2024 at 2:30 PM EDT

After years of facing accusations about cosmetic surgery and skin lightening, Serena Williams has shut down the critics once and for all.

The tennis star has been the subject of speculation over alleged enhancements, including rumors of a nose job, cheekbone implants, and skin lightening, with the latest rumors claiming she was allegedly using drugs or surgery to shed pounds following the birth of her daughter, Adira, in August 2023.

Serena Williams has had enough, clapping back at her haters with a new social media post.

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The Tennis Star Faces Backlash Over Her Appearance

Serena Williams at 2024 ESPY Awards
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Recent photos of Serena have fans and critics buzzing, as the wife and mother of two appears to look dramatically different. Some speculate that she’s altered her appearance to fit popular beauty standards, sparking a heated debate.

“White media did that,” someone said. “Now she appears to be trying to meet ‘their’ beauty standards.”

After many accused her of changing her look to "be white," others defended the tennis star, claiming the sun had lightened her skin.

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“She played in the sun almost daily for nearly 30 years… now she is in the house with her billionaire husband & daughters," one fan said at the time. "I ran track & coached in the elements for 20 years… after I stopped I got lighter I was not expecting that. I assumed the darker shade was my natural complexion, but it wasn’t…. Went from dark chocolate to milk chocolate.”

Another fan said they could care less. “So what if she did?! Her money, her life, her way! Haters know they too would if they could,” the fan clapped back.

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Serena Williams Sports Double Denim Look As She Fires Back At Criticism

Sporting a double denim look, the tennis star took to Instagram to shut down her haters once and for all. "100% real … forehead to toe … lol," she captioned the series of photos, seemingly referencing the recent rumors that she didn't lose her weight naturally or has undergone cosmetic surgery.

Fans immediately rallied behind Serena, as one user wrote, "The way I laughed! She’s slaying though!!!!!"

"I'm glad she fired her team! The skin tone is flawless, and the entire look is," a second said, adding three fire flame emojis. "Forehead to toes [laughing face emoji] love you, Serena!" a third wrote.

Khloe Kardashian even joined the conversation, commenting, "Speak on it!!!!!!"

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Fans Comment On How 'Good' Serena Williams Looks

Serena Willams at Vanity Fair Oscar Party 2024
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Hundreds of others couldn't help but notice how "amazing" the tennis star looked in her double denim outfit.

"I think this is the best I have ever seen her look‼️" one of her fans said. You look so beautiful," another said, adding two red heart emojis. I love your hair."

"She has been working on her fitness!!! You look good!" one Instagram user expressed.

"Killing it is an understatement," one of Serena's fans commented, adding two fire flame emojis.

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Some Are Still Not Convinced

Serena Williams at 2024 ESPY Awards
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While many fans loved Serena's snarkiness, others were not convinced and still claim she has had work done.

"DISSOLVE THE FILLER PLEASE," one social media user said.

"But definitely on that stuff for weight loss," another wrote. "It looks good, though."

Talking About Makeup And Weight Loss

Serena Williams recently opened up about learning to do her own makeup, and some recent photos show her complexion appearing lighter and darker than before. At the ESPY Awards earlier this year, many fans remarked that she looked stunning, crediting her appearance to her glam team’s efforts.

While the tennis star hasn’t admitted to altering her skin tone, she has been actively promoting her new makeup line, WYN Beauty.

"This is Wyn Beauty: You can win in it, and you can be active all day, like I have been," she told Vanity Fair of her makeup brand. "I can go do grocery runs; I can do toy runs if I want to. I can go pick up my daughter from school, and I have my face on. It’s an everyday look, but it still has full coverage."

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"It still has longevity and it’s clean. That’s what I mean by active," she continued. "You don’t have to be a world-class tennis player. I mean, you can be, by the way. [Laughs.] But everyday lives of everyday people are so active.

Despite the ongoing rumors and speculation about her appearance, Serena has chosen to focus on her business, her legacy, and her family rather than addressing the controversy.

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