Serena Williams's Husband Reacts After She Receives Online Backlash About Her Appearance

The protective husband's message also comes after Serena Williams garnered a different type of commentary from photos showing her sister's wedding day.

Tennis legend Serena Williams's doting husband, Alexis Ohanian Sr., is clapping back at haters after his wife received harsh critiques online.

In the comment section of an endearing family photo that Alexis shared, showing him, Serena, and their adorable daughters, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., and Adira River Ohanian, naysayers claimed the sports star has altered her skin tone.

Picture-Perfect Family Moment Turns Into Hotbed of Critique

The photo in question shows Serena glowing in a strapless blush-toned bodice and black skirt paired with sleek jewelry and soft glam makeup. Her honey-blonde hair is swept back elegantly and styled with a jeweled head accessory.

At her side, Alexis stands beaming in a classic black suit and white shirt, holding a smiling Adira in a twinkling star-print tulle dress, while little Alexis Olympia poses confidently in a sparkly blue ensemble.

The radiant family portrait is accompanied by a cheerful caption from Alexis, who penned, "Late! But Happy New Year!! This shot is from V's wedding actually, but what a beautiful wedding and let me brag a second about our two perfect little girls AKA elite flower girls [sic]."

Cruel Trolls Lash Out

Despite the joyous nature of the family moment, the photo quickly sparked a wave of criticism online — much of it targeting Serena's complexion. A netizen remarked, "Wow 😮 she changed her entire Skin Color! SMH 🤦‍♀️," while another echoed the sentiment, questioning, "Serena is light skinned [sic] now?"

Some took their assumptions even further, with one person asserting, "I can't believe she blenched her skin hot mess [sic]!" Another mockingly added, "She done changed her skin color 😂😂😂😂😂 that's so deep when you want to change what God made you [sic]."

Others expressed broader disapproval, suggesting that Serena's appearance reflected a rejection of her natural skin tone and beauty, which they felt should be embraced rather than altered.

Alexis Claps Back and Sets the Record Straight

Alexis didn't hesitate to confront the criticism head-on. He took to X on January 6, 2026, to call out the online negativity. His pointed message addressed those spreading harsh commentary about Serena's appearance, zeroing in on the widespread misunderstanding surrounding photography and lighting.

By re-sharing two photos Serena posted of the family of four from Venus Williams's wedding day, Alexis Ohanian Sr. subtly dismantled the narrative, highlighting how shadows and exposure can drastically alter how someone looks in a photograph.

His defense wasn't just a husband's reflex; it was a calculated rebuttal meant to silence the noise and shift the focus back to what mattered: a cherished family moment.

While Alexis's swift defense underscored the intensity of the backlash Serena Williams faced, the situation revealed something deeper about the unpredictability of public opinion. Interestingly, this wave of criticism stands in contrast to the reactions she received for other photos from the same wedding celebration.

In the days leading up to Venus's intimate destination wedding with Andrea Preti, a quiet but striking detail involving her sister, Serena, set the tone for what guests would later describe as a celebration shaped as much by family as by romance.

Images shared on social media showed a familiar face standing confidently among wedding guests, dressed in white and smiling broadly. The choice immediately sparked conversation online, where fans weighed in with admiration and speculation.

Social Media Reacts

Online reaction followed swiftly, with commenters dissecting everything from wedding etiquette to family dynamics. One commenter praised the fashion choice, "Love the fact that she broke the 'traditional' rule of not wearing white! LOVE IT 😍." However, not everyone approved. One Facebooker pushed back on the look, stating, "Only the bride should be wearing white. Congratulations on your wedding 🎉."

Still, someone else focused on the moment itself, saying, "Love Love Love Did I miss the announcement…Serena looks pregnant…." Speculation continued in other comments, including one that read, "Serena is That a baby bump [sic]." Each reaction reflected how a single detail from the celebration quickly took on a life of its own online.

A Sister's Message

While social media debated appearances and tradition, Serena's own words shifted the focus back to the bond at the center of the day. Reflecting on their shared journey, Serena described years that stretched from backyard courts to the world's biggest stages.

She praised Venus for always leading with grace, strength, and a generosity of spirit that extends far beyond trophies or titles. Watching Venus step into marriage, surrounded by love, felt to her like witnessing a sunrise, steady, robust, and filled with promise.

She portrayed Venus as her built-in best friend, protector, and teacher, someone who has consistently reminded her to move through life with purpose. Serena added that seeing her sister so happy, so loved, and so radiant meant everything to her.

She closed by celebrating love, partnership, shared laughter, and a lifetime of choosing one another each day, saying she could not be prouder to stand beside Venus, not just on her wedding day, but always.

Serena's Role in Venus's Intimate Wedding

That emotional tribute helped explain what photos alone could not, and the fuller meaning behind Serena's presence soon became clearer. The meaning behind the white outfit and the emotion surrounding it became more transparent after the wedding weekend.

Speaking with Vogue, Venus explained how quickly the festivities unfolded and how central her sister was to the experience. "They always say weddings go so fast, and they do," Venus said. "We started on Monday. Serena gave us this gift of a beautiful yacht, and she arranged all the food, everything."

She continued, "We had 10 to 12 of our closest family and friends who were in town on the boat, and we were singing, dancing, gossiping, and just enjoying each other."

Breaking Tradition and Redefining It

The revelation reframed the earlier photos and online debate. What some viewers initially interpreted as a breach of wedding etiquette was, in fact, part of a carefully planned and deeply personal gift.

By the time Venus and Andrea exchanged vows, the weekend had already become a reflection of something larger than tradition, one rooted in family, generosity, and shared history.

The moment Serena stepped out in white was not about drawing attention, but about standing beside her sister in a way only she could, offering a gift that made an already special day unforgettable.

As the attention sparked by Serena's unexpected wedding-day choice continued to ripple online, earlier reporting about Venus's celebration offered a fuller picture of the intimate, fashion-forward, and carefully curated week that culminated in her marriage to Andrea.

As previously reported, the tennis superstar quietly married the Danish actor after celebrating their union across two destinations.

Details later shared by Vogue revealed a weeklong celebration that included two ceremonies, time with loved ones, and more than a dozen carefully chosen looks.

Wedding Photos Spotlight a Sleek Bridal Look

The wedding photos present Venus and her actor-model husband in refined, editorial-style portraits. In one image, the couple walks arm in arm beneath a grand arched colonnade.

Venus donned a long-sleeved ivory gown with a structured silhouette and a subtle train. A lace veil softened the clean design, while her hair was styled back to keep the focus on the dress. Meanwhile, Andrea wore a white tuxedo jacket paired with dark trousers.

Another image shows the couple by the water, where the lace detailing of Venus's veil stands out against the coastal backdrop. The contrast between the structured gown and the flowing veil highlights a bridal look that feels modern and elegant.

Wedding Photos Spark Online Reactions

The images quickly prompted discussion across social media, as viewers focused on Serena's appearance at the wedding and shared mixed reactions to photos featuring both sisters.

On Facebook, one commenter wrote, "Why Serena has white dress on It's her sister wedding for God's sake [sic]." Another also questioned Serena's choice to wear white, noting that it traditionally goes against wedding etiquette when worn by anyone other than the bride.

However, others responded with warmth and humor, congratulating Venus while jokingly wondering how many different dresses she wore throughout the celebrations.

Still, on Reddit, someone else commented, "Why is her sister in a wedding dress too? This is all just a lot." Meanwhile, a different Redditor zeroed in on Venus's fashion choices, remarking that every outfit "looks incredible."

Another reaction focused on Venus's overall look, describing her as a "very classic bride" whose style felt perfectly aligned with her personality. The same commenter also noted that both Williams sisters married men whose names are more commonly associated with women.

Instagrammers shared their opinions, too. One wrote, "That veil in the 1st picture is the prettiest one I've ever seen. I love her Courthouse suit and hat. Gowns are 🔥 [sic]."

Another asked, "Do y'all know how to tell Venus and Serena apart?! Because why are there so many pictures of Serena. [sic]." On the other hand, one admirer kept their reaction simple, calling the dress beautiful and praising its classy design.

Two Weddings and a Weeklong Celebration

On December 23, 2025, Vogue shared that Venus and Andrea had two weddings. Their first ceremony took place on September 18, 2025, in Ischia, Italy.

"We had this dream to do our wedding in Italy," Venus said. "But we didn't have enough time to do the paperwork — [sic] because I'm a foreigner, it can take about eight months. So we decided to have a second wedding."

The second wedding was held in Palm Beach, Florida, reflecting Venus's roots. Planned by Jennifer Zabinski of JZ Events, the celebration spanned six days and began on a Monday.

Additionally, throughout the week, Venus and Andrea hosted daily pool parties at their home, welcoming guests from both Italy and the United States. About 25 of Andrea's relatives and close friends traveled from Italy to join the festivities.

Fashion played a central role, with Venus wearing more than a dozen looks throughout the wedding week. One event included a boudoir-themed bridal shower, where she wore a Kim Kassas dress paired with David Yurman jewelry. The evening concluded with more dancing and a Beyoncé-themed lip-sync battle.

The couple also had a courthouse wedding. "For me, the courthouse ceremony was very unique, emotional, and deep," Andrea said. Venus later described the experience simply, saying, "It was just a dream."

On the morning of the Palm Beach ceremony, Venus wore what she called "the most incredible dress" by Georges Hobeika. "The way it sparkles, the transparency — it reminds me of the ocean and sea," she explained.

When Andrea saw her walk down the aisle, he remembered the moment clearly, "When I saw Venus, she was beautiful, like a goddess."

In the end, what began as an online debate over a white dress gave way to a fuller understanding of a wedding defined by intention, intimacy, and family. Serena's presence, and her choice, highlighted the depth of her bond with Venus Williams, turning a moment of speculation into one of meaning.