Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion and unapologetic queen of confidence, has no time for haters, and she made that clear during a recent Instagram Live. The tennis legend took the opportunity to address rumours that she had bleached her skin after a video of her at a school event went viral.

The clip in question, which showed Williams alongside her husband Alexis Ohanian and their two daughters, Olympia (7) and Adira (15 months), sparked unfounded chatter online. But Serena wasn’t about to let the rumours slide.

While casually applying makeup from her Wyn Beauty line during her Live session, Williams tackled the accusations head-on. “And then I put just that neutral colour, that is actually my skin colour,” she said, blending her foundation. “And no, for you haters out there, I do not bleach my skin.”

With her signature candour, Williams explained the viral moment. “There is a thing called sunlight, and in that sunlight, you get different colors,” she quipped. The former athlete revealed she was volunteering at her daughter’s play at the time and had worn “stage makeup” for the event.

“Yes, I’m calling you out on this because it is ridiculous,” she continued, making it clear she’s proud of her natural beauty. “I’m a dark, Black woman, and I love who I am, and I love how I look.”

While emphasizing that skin-lightening isn’t her thing, Serena made a point to respect those who choose it. “If people do it, that’s their thing, and they have every opportunity, and they should. I don’t judge, but you guys do,” she said.

In her classic Serena style, she wrapped up her thoughts with a mic-drop moment: “Can we just kinda clear that up? I actually don’t bleach my skin, so let’s move on.”

This isn’t the first time Williams has been candid about her self-care journey. Back in June, she shared an Instagram post documenting a radio frequency treatment to tighten her stomach, admitting she’s been self-conscious about her tummy.

Main Image: BET