Serena Williams, one of the most celebrated athletes of all time, recently found herself at the center of controversy again—this time not for her tennis career or business ventures, but for her reaction to hotel décor.
On Thursday, September 25, Serena shared an Instagram Story that left fans buzzing. The tennis legend revealed her discomfort after walking into her New York City hotel and spotting a cotton plant being used as decoration. While seemingly harmless to some, the display didn’t sit right with her.
Pointing her phone camera at the decorative piece, she asked her followers: “Alright, everyone. How do we feel about cotton as decoration? Personally, for me, it doesn’t feel great.” Serena didn’t disclose the hotel’s name, but her message was clear—she wasn’t a fan of the aesthetic.
In a follow-up clip, the 44-year-old was seen plucking a cotton ball from the branch and pressing it against her nails, joking that it reminded her of “nail polish remover cotton.” Her reaction quickly drew strong opinions online.
Many viewers interpreted her comment as referencing the painful history of cotton in the United States. During the 18th and 19th centuries, cotton was cultivated and harvested largely by enslaved Black people in the South. By 1850, enslaved workers were producing more than 80% of the world’s cotton, often under brutal and dehumanizing conditions. Though slavery was abolished in 1865 with the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment, cotton remains a loaded symbol for many African Americans today.
While Serena didn’t directly explain why she found the decoration inappropriate, her words struck a chord with those sensitive to the historical context. Critics argued that the décor was a reminder of slavery and exploitation, while others believed she was overreacting to a simple decorative choice.
The cotton plant incident wasn’t the only thing that had Serena in headlines. Just a month earlier, she was under fire for partnering with Ro, a company that promotes GLP-1 weight-loss injections. In an ad campaign, Serena appeared to inject herself while explaining that the medicine helped her lose 31 pounds after having two children. “They say GLP-1 weight loss is a shortcut. It’s not. It’s science,” she said in the promo video.
The collaboration drew backlash from fans who felt she was sending a harmful message. Critics argued that the ad undermined body positivity and encouraged women to pursue quick fixes instead of embracing natural recovery after childbirth. Some even accused her of being motivated by money, while others described the campaign as “disappointing” and “irresponsible.”
Body-positive activist Megan Jayne Crabbe weighed in, pointing out that Serena has long faced intense scrutiny over her body throughout her career. She lamented that instead of being celebrated for her historic athletic achievements, Serena has often endured racist and sexist commentary about her appearance. To Crabbe, seeing Serena promote weight-loss medicine felt like a step backward.
Still, Serena had her defenders. Some praised her for making choices that worked for her own health, reminding critics that everyone’s fitness journey is personal. Supporters applauded her for being open and honest about her struggles with postpartum and perimenopausal weight gain. “Good for you, Serena!” one fan wrote. “You look spectacular, and I’m sure you feel incredible too.”
Despite the controversies, Serena continues to expand her influence beyond tennis. Since retiring from professional competition in 2022, she has built an impressive business portfolio. She owns a minority stake in the Miami Dolphins, has invested in the National Women’s Soccer League, and co-founded Serena Ventures with her sister Venus—a venture capital firm focused on empowering women and people of color in business.
Her recent appearance in New York wasn’t solely about the cotton plant dust-up. Serena was also in town to celebrate the launch of Kim Kardashian’s Skims/Nike collaboration. She shared a heartwarming post with Kim and Khloé Kardashian, marking over 20 years of friendship. “Back with my girls for one epic night! Over 20 years of friendship and we still laugh like no one else is in the room. Congratulations on your NikeSkims success!” she wrote.
The hotel décor controversy, paired with the weight-loss ad backlash, shows once again how closely the public follows Serena Williams—not just for her tennis legacy, but for her choices, words, and influence off the court. Whether fans see her as a trailblazer, a flawed icon, or both, one thing is certain: Serena Williams still has the power to ignite conversations that go far beyond the tennis court.
