Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and husband of tennis champion Serena Williams, recently took to ESPN’s First Take to confront host Stephen A. Smith over past comments he made regarding their marriage. This dialogue unfolded on October 9, emphasizing Ohanian’s role as a supportive spouse.
The tension initially arose when Smith criticized Williams for what he interpreted as an inappropriate display during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show. Smith’s remarks suggested Williams was disrespecting her marriage by engaging with her ex-boyfriend Drake’s performance. He boldly remarked, “If I’m married and my wife is going to join trolling her ex, go back to his a**. Cause clearly you don’t belong with me.”
During his appearance on First Take, Ohanian cleverly addressed Smith’s earlier comments by saying, “Stephen A. Smith, I think you had some marriage advice for me.” Smith attempted to minimize the situation, stating, “Listen, I didn’t. Headlines are headlines,” while expressing that he is not qualified to dispense marital advice.
Ohanian, undeterred, reminded Smith that he has never been married, saying, “I give advice to plenty of founders who want to build billion-dollar companies, and the reason I do that is because I built billion-dollar companies. So, I generally try to stay in my lane in the advice department.” This exchange not only showcased Ohanian’s ability to handle criticism with grace but also illustrated the couple’s commitment to each other.
Williams and Ohanian, who tied the knot in 2017, are parents to two daughters, Alexis Olympia Jr. and Adira River. While they maintain a relatively private life, Ohanian’s public show of support for his wife reaffirms his dedication to their family.
In the aftermath of the First Take episode, Stephen A. Smith reflected on the situation during a segment on his show, expressing understanding of Ohanian’s perspective while clarifying he did not intend any disrespect towards Williams or their marriage.
This episode highlights the complexities of public life intertwining with personal relationships and serves as a reminder of how public figures navigate their personal narratives amidst media scrutiny. Ultimately, Ohanian’s defense of Williams underscores an admirable aspect of their partnership, showing that love and respect remain paramount in their lives.