Serena Williams responds to skin-bleaching allegations.
More than 2 years have passed since Williams retired from professional tennis.
On Monday, Serena Williams responded to allegations of skin bleaching in an Instagram Live video.
According to People magazine, the allegations emerged following the 23-time Grand Slam tennis champion's sharing of a video from a school event with her husband and two children.
"In the video, Williams stated, "I applied only the neutral color, which is actually my skin tone, and no, I do not bleach my skin. It's important to note that sunlight can cause different skin tones.""
Williams claimed she wore "stage makeup" while filming the video that incited the comments.
"She added, 'Yes, I’m calling you out on this because it is ridiculous.' Everyone says, 'Oh, she bleached her skin,' but I'm a dark, Black woman who loves who I am and how I look."
Williams said she does not judge those who do bleach their skin.
"That's what this world is about, and I stay in my lane - the non-judgy one. However, I don't bleach my skin, so can we just clarify that?"
In recent years, Williams has fully embraced retirement, but has had to confront some serious challenges.
In October, she disclosed that she underwent surgery to remove a large cyst from her neck at the age of 43.
"Coming out was painful, but I went under for it. They had to put a drain in it because it was so much. Despite the initial pain, everything worked out, and I'm happy to have worked with great doctors."
Planet Chronicle’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
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