Serena Williams Speaks Out After Finding Cotton Plant Decoration at a N.Y.C. Hotel

Serena Williams spoke out after spotting a controversial decoration at a New York City hotel.

The 43-year-old tennis star shared a video on social media showing a vase holding a cotton plant placed on a hallway table, asking her followers for their thoughts on the display. “Alright, everyone. How do we feel about cotton as decoration?” she wrote.

“Personally for me, it doesn’t feel great,” Williams added in her Instagram Stories on Thursday, Sept. 25.

In a follow-up post, Williams held a piece of the cotton decoration while speaking directly to the camera. She remarked that it “feels like nail polish remover cotton,” touching it briefly before cringing and stepping out of frame.

Williams’ visit to New York included an appearance at a SKIMS event promoting her role in the brand’s film, Bodies at Work, which highlights their new collaboration with Nike. Athletes Sha’Carri Richardson, Jordan Chiles, Chloe Kim, Madisen Skinner, Romane Dicko, Beatriz Hatz, and Nelly Korda are also part of the campaign alongside Williams.

After the event, Williams shared a video of herself walking to the hotel elevator, with the cotton decoration visible in the background.

“Nike gave me the wings, SKIMS gave me the fit — together, they gave us a moment,” she captioned her Instagram post from the event.

Earlier this month, on Sept. 16, Williams left fans intrigued with a cryptic Instagram post, noting she’s been “learning to let go” following a “difficult August.” She mentioned taking “some time away” without specifying the challenges she faced.

“Dearest gentle reader, My summer started out well but I was plunged into a difficult August. Like many of you, I faced challenges that tested my spirit and resilience,” she wrote.

She added, “Life can sometimes feel overwhelming and it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters—your mental health and well-being. I took some time away to breathe, to reconnect with myself, and to remember that it’s perfectly okay to pause and reconnect.”