Flashback to 2004 when a young Serena Williams graced the Met Gala for the first time ever, in a purple satin gown. She might not have attained the status of a legend back then, but in her early twenties, she was already a megastar, having won five Grand Slam titles. Interestingly, it was the first ever Met Gala experience for the Hollywood icon Scarlett Johansson as well, who turned heads in a yellow satin dress by Calvin Klein. They might or might not have interacted back in 2004, but as they crossed paths again at the TIME100 Gala yesterday, Serena ensured she had a heartwarming interaction with Johansson, in a night that perfectly encapsulated grace, glamor, and influence.
This year, Serena Williams added another incredible accolade to her legacy beyond tennis: being named one of TIME magazine’s Most Influential People of 2025. At 43, the tennis icon graced one of the issue’s coveted covers, joining an elite group that included Snoop Dogg, Demi Moore, Ed Sheeran, and AI visionary Demis Hassabis.
To celebrate the honor, Serena shared stunning behind-the-scenes photos from the shoot on IG on April 16, captioning it, “@TIME’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in the world is out. I’m honored to be a part of this group.” Then at the star-studded Gala evening, she mingled with fellow change makers, and one of the night’s most exciting crossovers saw the worlds of tennis and Hollywood collide in truly glamorous fashion.
Serena lit up the red carpet at the Gala on Thursday, April 24, at Lincoln Center in New York City. Dressed in a striking ‘black bodycon’ gown with sheer slits, the tennis icon turned heads with her signature sparkle, thanks to dazzling diamond jewelry and her luxurious Audemars Piguet watch. Radiant and beaming, Serena mingled effortlessly with entertainment royalty.
Among the star-studded crowd, Williams shared a warm moment with Hollywood heavyweight Scarlett Johansson. The two powerhouses bonded during the evening, with Serena later posting glimpses of their encounter to her IG stories, giving fans a peek into the glamor-filled celebration.
The evening also marked the culmination of TIME’s 2-day event honoring the 100 Most Influential People of 2025. A-listers like Blake Lively, Snoop Dogg, Ryan Reynolds, and Demi Moore joined the festivities, which kicked off with the TIME100 Summit. In her spotlight moment, Serena used the platform to amplify her ongoing mission: “changing the conversation” around what women can achieve in sports.
“For most of my life, I’ve been a part of a world that didn’t always expect much from women … especially not from a Black girl from Compton with big dreams and an even bigger serve. But if there’s one thing my parents taught me, it’s that the rules weren’t built for us—so sometimes, you have to create your own,” she cheerfully said, embracing the spirit of the evening.
But before she stepped into the glitz and glam, the devoted mom made sure to uphold a special bedtime ritual. In a heartwarming mother-daughter moment, Serena called her youngest, Adira, to say their nightly rituals before bed, proving once again that behind the global icon is a deeply grounded woman, led by love, faith, and family.
Serena Williams shares bedtime rituals with her younger daughter, Adira
Throughout her legendary career, Serena Williams has redefined what it means to be a powerful woman, from clinching 23 GS singles titles to being named the Associated Press’s Female Athlete of the Decade in 2019. Yet, beyond the accolades and global recognition, one thing remains deeply personal for the tennis icon: the power of prayer! And recently, bedtime rituals have taken center stage in the Williams-Ohanian household, a tradition Serena continues with unwavering devotion, even when she’s not physically present.
Just hours ago, Serena shared a touching video on IG as she prepared for her appearance at the TIME100 Gala. While her glam team worked their magic, Serena was seen holding a laptop, tenderly speaking to her younger daughter, Adira. The heart-melting moment unfolded as she guided her through their nightly prayer: “Hi I miss you.. mama. I love you. Can you say prayer? Can you prayer? Say to God, I love you, I miss my mom, and I love my papa.. good job,” she said, before softly singing bedtime songs. She captioned the post, “No matter where I am in the world, we never miss our nightly prayers.”
Well, Serena’s devotion to faith has become even more prominent after her retirement. In an IG post previously as well, she was seen in full glam as she tucked Olympia into bed, writing, “I try my best to pray every day with them, no matter the circumstances. I slay and pray,”
From red carpet elegance to motherly tenderness, Serena’s legacy continues to expand beyond the center court. Her unwavering dedication to her faith and family serves as the cornerstone of her successes, both on and off the court, as she diligently instills these values in her daughters.
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