Serena Williams has set the record straight, addressing the skin-bleaching allegations she's recently faced on social media.
Overnight [December 2, 2024], the tennis champion-turned-beauty brand founder went Live on Instagram to talk followers through her everyday Wyn Beauty makeup routine. During the tutorial, the former athlete spoke about the skin-bleaching accusations that recently came about after she shared a video of herself with her husband, Alexis Ohanian and their two daughters Olympia, seven, and Adira, 15 months.
"And then I put just that neutral colour, that is actually my skin colour – and no, for you haters out there, I do not bleach my skin," the 43-year-old said when applying her foundation products. "There is a thing called sunlight, and in that sunlight, you get different colours."
The tennis star explained that she was wearing "stage makeup" in the above video, taken while volunteering at her daughter's play in late November. "Yes, I'm calling you out on this because it is ridiculous," Serena said, before proudly sharing some self-love.
"Everyone's like, 'Oh, she bleached her skin.' I'm a dark, Black woman, and I love who I am, and I love how I look."
While some people do choose to lighten their skin with products that reduce melanin concentration, Serena reiterated that it's not something she would do – though, she holds no judgement. "And if people do it, that's their thing, and they have every opportunity and they should. I don't judge, but you guys do," she said.
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There could be many reasons why someone's skin has marginally changed appearance; like Serena, it could be due to lighting or it could be health-related, due to a change in beauty regime, age, hormones, diet etc.
The grounds are endless, so, let this be a reminder for us all to hold less judgement and #BeKind.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
