Alexis Ohanian isn’t letting online speculation slide when it comes to his wife, Serena Williams.
The Reddit cofounder, 42, recently shut down trolls who accused the tennis legend of bleaching her skin after she shared family photos from her sister Venus Williams’ wedding. The images, posted on Jan. 6, showed Alexis alongside Serena—who wore a white gown—and their daughters, Olympia, 8, and Adira, 2, dressed in matching blue outfits.

Serena captioned the photos with a reflective message:
“Joy does not always roar sometimes it whispers. It important to savor those sweet moments… I love this picture so I wanted to share it with you.”
Despite the celebratory moment, some social media users speculated about Serena’s appearance, alleging skin lightening. Alexis was quick to respond, calling out the criticism directly.
“Where are all the comments from idiots who don’t understand how photography lighting works,” he wrote in defense of his wife.

When another user doubled down, claiming the lighting explanation was an excuse, Alexis replied:
“Or: photos from the same event can look different based on lighting.”
His response was widely praised by fans, with many applauding him for standing up against harmful and recurring narratives aimed at Black women’s appearances—especially those in the public eye.
The exchange has once again sparked broader conversations about colorism, online harassment, and the scrutiny faced by high-profile women, even during moments meant to celebrate family and joy.