The first time Serena Williams stepped off the court and dazzled was at the Met Gala’s illustrious red carpet in 2004. That moment marked her seamless entry into the world of high-profile celebrities. This early exposure opened doors to meaningful connections. Her friendship with Meghan Markle grew deeper after 2014. They bonded over shared values. Over time, her dynamic friendship with Beyoncé blossomed. They collaborated on projects and supported each other. Encounters at these major events also sparked camaraderie with stars like Taylor Swift. Serena’s celebrity circle keeps growing. Now, at the TIME100 Gala in New York City, she showed off two more friends!
Some nights aren’t just memorable—they’re etched into history. Serena Williams, the GOAT of tennis, recently shared a moment that left fans speechless: a dazzling evening where Scarlett Johansson and Simone Biles completely redefined the meaning of star power. The event? TIME’s celebration of the most influential people on Earth. The vibe? Pure magic. Let’s dive deep into the night Serena can’t forget—and why it means so much more than just glitz and glamour.
Serena lit up the red carpet at the Gala on Thursday, April 24, at Lincoln Center. She wore a striking black bodycon gown with sheer slits. Her signature sparkle came from dazzling diamond jewelry and a luxurious Audemars Piguet watch. She radiated confidence and beamed as she mingled with entertainment royalty. At the glitzy Gala, Williams mingled with fellow icons. The night delivered a dazzling blend of tennis royalty and Hollywood star power.
Earlier, she shared her highlight from the night on Instagram. She posted a carousel of pictures. These included photos with Marvel superstar Scarlett Johansson and gold medalist Simone Biles. Her caption read, “The highlight of my night meeting my favorite #Avenger Scarlett Johansson ❤️😍😍 And of course being reunited with my new doubles partner @simonebiles.” Isn’t that exciting?
It’s like tennis, gymnastics, and Hollywood coming together! Plus, her joke about Simone being her doubles partner is a running gag from September 2024. Simone Biles had jokingly named Serena as her ideal doubles partner during the US Open. Serena responded on Instagram, “I used to want to be a Gymnast but chose tennis. Lol, so I’ll definitely be yours!” Interestingly, while Scarlett and Serena Williams have rarely been seen together, they share a gala history. Serena’s first gala was the 2004 Met Gala. Coincidentally, it was Johansson’s first time too! They may not have interacted back then. But as they crossed paths again, it looks like a bond has formed.
All this unfolded after Serena Williams landed a spot on TIME magazine’s 2025 list of the 100 Most Influential People. She joined a powerhouse lineup with Snoop Dogg, Demi Moore, Ed Sheeran, and AI trailblazer Demis Hassabis. She marked the moment by posting stunning behind-the-scenes shots from her cover shoot on Instagram on April 16. Her caption read, “@TIME’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in the world is out. I’m honored to be a part of this group.” Even now, three years after hanging up the racket Serena is making waves. But even with all the glitz and glamor, tennis is something she can’t just forget. After all, it was the most memorable 27 years of her life.
