Retired tennis champion Serena Williams recently sparked a conversation about race and decor after sharing her experience at a New York City hotel. While attending an event hosted by Kim Kardashian, Williams discovered a vase filled with faux cotton stems in her hotel room. She took to Instagram to express her discomfort, asking her followers how they felt about the decoration. In her video, she stated, “it doesn’t feel great,” and visibly reacted to the sight of the cotton.
Williams, who has a massive following of 18 million on Instagram, posted the video to her Stories, prompting various reactions online. Some criticized her for being overly sensitive, while others supported her feelings. Notably, journalist Megyn Kelly commented on the incident, questioning why Williams, despite her immense wealth and success, would still feel triggered by a cotton plant, which is historically associated with slavery.
Kelly pointed out that Williams is estimated to be worth around $350 million and is married to a wealthy partner. She suggested that Williams’ reaction might stem from a sense of generational trauma, a term used to describe the lasting impact of historical injustices on descendants of oppressed groups. Kelly’s remarks ignited further debate over the complexities of race, wealth, and personal experience in contemporary society.
This incident is not the first time Williams has raised concerns about racism. In August 2024, she tweeted about being denied access to a rooftop restaurant in Paris, claiming it was due to her race. The restaurant later clarified that it was fully booked at the time.
Williams has also been in the news for her recent partnership with Ro, a telehealth company that promotes weight loss drugs. She has openly discussed her use of these medications, aiming to normalize their use in society.
As discussions around race and decor continue, Williams’ experience highlights the ongoing dialogue about how historical contexts influence modern perceptions and reactions.
