Serena Williams slammed over 'dangerous and irresponsible' Super Bowl ad
2026's Super Bowl continues to generate controversy, but for once, it's not to do with the war of the halftime shows as Erika Kirk's Turning Point USA took on Bad Bunny's official performance.
Everyone has an opinion on the halftime show, but with it apparently nabbing a record-breaking 135.4 million viewers, there were a lot of eyes on this year's event – far more than tuned in to watch Kid Rock for TPUSA.
With Super Bowl LX supposedly breaking records, it's no surprise that ads were reportedly spending $10 million for just 30 seconds of airtime. We got ads for everything from Pepsi mocking Coca-Cola to Post Malone promoting Bud Light, MrBeast sending you on a treasure hunt to Sabrina Carpenter looking to date a man made of Pringles. However, alongside Ring's missing pet ad leading to complaints it's a 'dystopian' privacy issue, Serena Williams has come under fire for her own Super Bowl performance.
Despite appearing in a relatviely blink-and-you'll-miss-it advert, the tennis pro has been blasted for promoting telehealth provider Ro.
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The 23-time grand slam winner is tipped to make a return to the sport at the age of 44, but for those who might think she looks a little different, it's because she claims to have lost 34 pounds since going on GLP-1 jabs.
We've covered the numerous pros and cons of the so-called 'skinny jabs' like Ozempic, and while even the World Health Organization has done a U-turn on them, there's still plenty of debate about potential side effects.
In the 30-second ad, Williams admits to being on Ro, saying: "Healthier on Ro. Supported on Ro. FDA-approved GLP options. Now even in a pill. Weight loss expertise I trust."
Speaking to People in August 2025, Williams previously discussed why she was on weight loss jabs, telling the outlet: "I've never felt that pressure to maintain a certain appearance. I always felt comfortable at any size, whether I was a lot heavier or not. I do feel like my body didn't like me at that weight.
“I had pain in my joints and pain in different areas just because of the extra weight that I'm not used to carrying since I had children."
The Ro site has a whole section dedicated to Williams, where the professional athlete walks potential users through her journey. Even though Williams is adamant she's moving better and feeling better on Ro, the ad has drummed up controversy for several reasons. Notably, her husband is Alexis Ohanian, who is a member of Ro's board.
Elsewhere, many have called out the idea that someone as prominent in the sports industry as Williams would be using GLP-1s.
Comments branded the Super Bowl ad everything from 'disgusting' to 'dangerous', with one person writing: "Serena Williams pushing weight loss drugs... disgusting."
Another added: "Athletes get hate for SO many things, but this doesn’t get nearly enough hate. One of the greatest athletes of all time who is now trying to convince millions to not exercise. All-time loser move by #SerenaWilliams."
A third said: "This is so f**king ridiculous and backwards Serena Williams is a retired tennis legend her body has won her so many awards and titles why the f**k is she promoting glp-1."
Someone else concluded: "There is something so SO profoundly wrong about one of the fittest, most dominant athletes of all time advertising weight-loss drugs during one of the most watched events on earth. Bleak doesn’t even cover it. What a crying shame."
UNILADTech has reached out to Ro for comment.