Fans question Serena Williams' lighter complexion in viral clip: 'Has she bleached her skin?'

Serena Williams has sparked a wave of concerns on social media after a recent video she shared with her husband raised questions about her skin tone. 

The tennis legend posted the clip on social media, but fans quickly took to X (formerly Twitter), suggesting that her complexion appeared noticeably lighter than usual. This led some users to speculate about skin-bleaching, with many wondering if Williams had undergone the procedure.

"That’s really Serena Williams? Has she bleached her skin?" one user wrote, while another remarked, "This what happens when you get with them rich white men." 

These comments echo a long-running controversy where public figures, particularly women of color, have been accused of altering their skin tones.

However, not all users jumped to conclusions. Some suggested alternative explanations for the apparent change in Williams' appearance.

"It could be an incorrect makeup shade, bad lighting, or just a filter," one commenter pointed out. Others speculated that the tennis star might have spent less time in the sun recently, as she is no longer playing professional tennis as frequently.

At the time of writing, Serena Williams has not responded to the accusations regarding skin-bleaching. 

The tennis icon isn't the only celebrity to face such scrutiny. Earlier this year, rapper Cardi B was accused of bleaching her skin but swiftly shut down the allegations. 

“Bleaching while pregnant? Why must y’all be so d*mb? Actually NO! I’m pregnant, I’m slightly anemic, this baby suckin all the energy off my body to the point I’m pale," Cardi B wrote on social media. 

"Eyes sunken, veins green ASF, can’t tan under the sun cause I get hot super fast and dizzy…. PLEASE STOP THINKIN WITH YOUR A**HOLE."

Doja Cat has also faced similar accusations. In 2020, the singer addressed claims that her skin had lightened, responding, “Hey, how about I’m half white, not entirely Black? My skin gets very light when I don’t tan. I was staying indoors a lot before that shoot. New f*ing subject. Dumbaes.”