Stephen A. Smith responds to Alexis Ohanian after viral Serena Williams Super Bowl exchange

ESPN host Stephen A. Smith has responded after being confronted on live television by Alexis Ohanian, husband of tennis legend Serena Williams, over his controversial Super Bowl halftime comments.

The tense exchange took place on First Take, months after Smith claimed he’d “divorce Serena Williams” for dancing with Kendrick Lamar during the halftime show.

Ohanian joined Smith on First Take and brought up the remarks directly, saying, “Stephen A. Smith, I think you had some marriage advice for me.” When Smith laughed nervously, Ohanian continued, “You haven’t been married before, right? I give advice to founders because I’ve built billion-dollar companies — I try to stay in my lane.” His calm but pointed response quickly went viral, with fans praising Ohanian for defending his wife respectfully.

The original controversy began in February, when Smith suggested Serena was “trolling her ex,” Drake, by appearing with Lamar during his performance of Not Like Us. He said, “If I’m married and my wife is going to join trolling her ex, go back to his ass. Bye.” The remarks drew backlash online, with many calling them disrespectful and unwarranted.

Responding on The Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith said his words were “taken out of context,” insisting he meant no disrespect to Serena or Ohanian. “It was from a husband’s perspective,” he explained, adding that he respects Serena as “the GOAT.”

Despite the clarification, fans overwhelmingly sided with Ohanian, calling his composed on-air response “classy” and “intelligent.” The moment reinforced why Serena and Ohanian’s marriage remains one of sports’ most admired partnerships.