During her stay at a hotel in New York City, Serena Williams encountered a hallway decoration that sparked some discomfort for her. The renowned tennis champion was in the city to celebrate the unveiling of Kim Kardashian’s Skims collaboration with Nike.
On Instagram, Williams posted photos with Kim and Chloe, extending her congratulations on the brand’s successful launch.
She captioned the images: “Back with my girls for one epic night! Over 20 years of friendship and we still laugh like no one else is in the room. Congratulations on your NikeSkims success!”
While her trip was largely for celebratory purposes, Williams shared an experience that left her uneasy.
In a video uploaded to her Instagram story, she drew attention to a cotton plant decoration placed on a table.
Approaching the plant, she commented: “Alright everyone – how do we feel about cotton as decoration? Personally, for me, it doesn’t feel great.”
Further inspecting the plant, she noted it was artificial, mentioning the texture was similar to nail polish remover cotton. After touching the buds, she expressed discomfort before moving away from the view.
It’s unclear if Williams’ reaction was due to the tactile nature of the decoration or its historical associations with slavery in the United States.
The identity of the hotel where Williams encountered the decoration remains undisclosed, and it is unconfirmed whether this happened before or after her meeting with the Kardashians.
Some individuals on social media responded to Williams’ concern nonchalantly, pointing out that cotton is widely used in various products and clothing.
In addition, some of Williams’ supporters have expressed concern following a cryptic message she shared online, hinting at personal challenges.
On September 16, she posted: “Dearest gentle reader, My summer started out well but I was plunged into a difficult August. Like many of you, I faced challenges that tested my spirit and resilience.
“Life can sometimes feel overwhelming and it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters—your mental health and well-being.
“I took some time away to breathe, to reconnect with myself, and to remember that it’s perfectly okay to pause and reconnect.”