Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian Bring Daughter Olympia to 2024 ESPY Awards
Serena Williams, the tennis legend, made a grand entrance at the 2024 ESPY Awards, held at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre on July 11. The event was a family affair as she was accompanied by her husband, Alexis Ohanian, and their six-year-old daughter, Olympia. This rare family red carpet appearance was a highlight of the evening, showcasing the close-knit bond they share.
Serena, who hosted the ceremony, dazzled in a figure-hugging black gown by Armani Privé. The dress featured a bejeweled neckline and straps, adding a touch of elegance to her already stunning look. Olympia, following in her mother’s fashionable footsteps, wore a patterned white frock from Dolce & Gabbana paired with metallic silver sandals. Alexis complemented his family’s stylish appearance with a classic black Gucci suit, adding a playful twist with turquoise Nike sneakers.
This event marked Olympia’s first red carpet appearance with her parents since the 2021 premiere of “King Richard,” a biopic about her grandfather, Richard Williams. Since then, the family has experienced significant changes, including Serena’s retirement from tennis and the arrival of their second daughter, Adira, last year.
In a 2022 interview with Time, Serena discussed the challenges women face when balancing a career and family. “It comes to a point where women sometimes have to make different choices than men if they want to raise a family,” she said. Despite the difficult decision to retire, Serena holds no anger about the transition. She was, however, surprised by Olympia’s reaction to her retirement. “Olympia doesn’t like when I play tennis,” Serena explained, noting that her daughter was thrilled when she heard the news.
The 2024 ESPY Awards was a night to remember, not just for the Williams-Ohanian family but for the entire sports community. Serena’s role as host added a special touch to the evening, and her red carpet look was one of her best yet. The custom Giorgio Armani Privé black gown, featuring a fully embroidered bra and train in gold Swarovski crystals, was a showstopper. Her longtime hairstylist, Angela Meadows, gave her a blonde bombshell look, inspired by old Hollywood glam.
“I wanted to give her an old Hollywood glam inspired look to set the stage for this momentous night,” Meadows told PEOPLE. “The chic, classic bombshell waves build up hype for the incredible looks we have planned throughout the rest of the awards ceremony.”
Serena’s husband, Alexis, and their daughter, Olympia, also turned heads on the red carpet. Alexis wore a classic black suit paired with blue Nike sneakers, while Olympia looked adorable in a silver short-sleeve dress with a flared skirt. Serena shared a group shot on Instagram, captioning it, “It’s a family affair.”
Throughout the night, Serena showcased an array of high-fashion looks, each accompanied by different hairstyles. Meadows revealed that Serena wanted to “be very out there” with her looks. “She wanted to be blonder. She really wanted to have these cool looks,” the stylist explained. To achieve this, Meadows relied on Wella Professionals Ultimate Repair Miracle Hair Rescue to keep Serena’s hair looking its best.
“I have to make sure that the hair is shiny and beautiful and with no frizz,” Meadows said, adding that the product works in just 90 seconds, which is particularly helpful for quick styling backstage.
The 2024 ESPY Awards, which aired live on ABC, celebrated the best in athletic achievement. WNBA rookie star Caitlin Clark garnered the most nominations, including best athlete in women’s sports, best record-breaking performance, and best college athlete in women’s sports. Other standout nominees included gymnastics champion Simone Biles, Super Bowl champ Patrick Mahomes, and tennis standout Coco Gauff.
The night was a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of athletes across various sports. Serena Williams, with her family by her side, added a touch of glamour and warmth to the event, making it a memorable evening for all.
Source: E! News, PEOPLE
