Alexis Ohanian just did something rare in celebrity culture. He took a messy internet pile-on and flipped it into a calm, logical, and wildly viral moment that put trolls on notice. The Reddit cofounder and husband of Serena Williams became the unexpected hero of social media after he shut down skin-bleaching rumors aimed at his wife with two short, precise replies that said everything.
It started with joy. Serena Williams shared photos from Venus Williams’ wedding on January 6, a warm family moment that showed Serena glowing in a white gown alongside Alexis and their daughters, Olympia and Adira.
© Getty ImagesInstead, the internet did what it does best and worst. A handful of users began claiming Serena’s skin looked lighter than usual. From there came the tired and damaging accusation that she must be bleaching her skin. For anyone who has followed Serena’s career, it was a depressing replay of the same old story.
Alexis Ohanian was not in the mood to let nonsense slide.
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Alexis stepped into the chaos on X and delivered a line that instantly went viral. “Where are all the comments from idiots who don’t understand how photography lighting works.” When someone tried to argue back, claiming Serena had altered her skin tone, Alexis followed up with another cool and measured response. “Or: photos from the same event can look different based on lighting.”
The replies spread across social media like wildfire. And he is not wrong. Lighting changes everything. Anyone who has taken a photo indoors, outdoors, or near a window knows that shadows, camera exposure, and flash can completely alter how skin looks.
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This was not just about one set of wedding photos. Serena Williams has been dealing with commentary about her appearance for decades. From her body to her hair to her skin tone, she has been scrutinized in ways that white athletes rarely experience.
In December 2024, a video from a school event went viral, showing her in stage makeup under bright lights. Once again, people claimed she looked lighter. Serena handled it herself during an Instagram Live. She explained that she had been volunteering at her daughter’s school play and was wearing theatrical makeup designed for intense stage lighting.
© Getty“No, for you haters out there, I do not bleach my skin. I’m a dark, Black woman, and I love who I am, and I love how I look.” That statement carried power because it should never have needed to be said. Serena is one of the greatest athletes in history, yet she is still expected to defend her natural appearance.
Alexis Ohanian has always been vocal about supporting Serena. Whether he is calling out sexism in sports, defending her against unfair criticism, or amplifying her voice, he shows up consistently. This latest moment only strengthened that reputation.
