Twenty-three-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams has been tapped to grace the cover of Essence magazine, sharing with the world the woman she has become after her legendary tennis career.

However, some people think she has become something very unnatural to whoever she was born to be, saying that miraculously she has turned into a white woman right before the public’s eye.

The mother of two posted a behind-the-scenes video on her Instagram of the shoot, serving up several fierce looks with what looks like a 40-inch blond wig.

The opening shot is shoes galore before panning the Chanel jewelry spread. From a black slinky satin number to a red and white outfit, topped off by a red feather hat, fashion and style seems to come second nature to the A-lister.

Her face is beat to the gods by a makeup artist, using her own Wyn brand, and in frame after frame she is reminding people that the superstar she was on the court is the same superstar she is off it.

Graciously, she captioned the post, “Thank you so much, @essence, for allowing me to grace your cover to talk about my business ventures.”

She continued, “From investing in women and diversity with my VC company @serena.ventures to having my active makeup line that lasts all day and is clean and vegan, I love being a businesswoman. I told you I was not going anywhere; I was just evolving. Thanks, @wyn! Now let’s go and #WYN.”

However, while the post was meant to inspire, there were many in her comment section who dredged up a persistent claim — that the Compton native, who currently has an estimated net worth of $340 million, according to Forbes, wants to be white.

One comment wondered, “Why does she look so light?”

More questions poured in, with one person asking, “Who is that white woman?” as another mocked, “Girl you done turned into a whole white women before my eyes and you think I want to join you.”

Immediately the mother of two’s supporters took aim, defending their queen.

“I remember yall came for Megan Good when she popped out lighter and accused her of bleaching. She had to aht aht aht and tell yall she got a chemical peel,” one person said, explaining, “Serena doesn’t play in the sun anymore and skincare has come a long way since 2003.”

The person then added, “Everybody needs to take several seats and try something other than clean and clear and clearasil k thanks.”

This is not the first time that Serena has been accused of trying to be white. Many point to her marriage to Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit and the father of her two little girls, as influencing her to lighten her skin, reduce her more African features with makeup and try other cosmetic procedures to look more European.

While there were critics, so many people loved what they saw and celebrated not just her but her products.

“By the way just Burn the set down can’t anyone else use it because Serena scorched it completely,” someone posted.

The Cincinnati Open has proven to be one of the most unpredictable WTA events in recent times.

No woman has defended her title since 2015, and since then there have been nine different champions over the past nine years.

As Coco Gauff looks to retain her title, we look back at the women who have won this event over the past decade.

After winning her first Cincinnati title in 2014, Williams made it back-to-back titles after triumphing in one of the most dominant seasons of her career.

In a rematch of the 2014 final, the top seed battled past Ana Ivanovic in the last eight before a convincing semi-final victory over Elina Svitolina.

That was followed by a 6-3, 7-6(5) victory in the final over Simona Halep, claiming the title after dropping just one set en route.

15th seed and future No 1 Pliskova served her way to one of the biggest titles of her career at the tournament eight years ago.

Pliskova did not drop a set on her way to the last eight, where she battled seventh seed Svetlana Kuznetsova in three sets before a comfortable semi-final victory over Garbine Muguruza.

The Czech then produced an equally dominant display in the final, dispatching Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-1 for her first WTA 1000 title.

2017 – Garbine Muguruza

Fresh off winning the Wimbledon title, Spanish star Muguruza battled her way to the Cincinnati title in 2017.

After narrow victories over Madison Keys and Kuznetsova powered her into the last four, she downed Pliskova in a rematch of the 2016 semi-final to reach the championship match.

And, despite some tough matches early on, she stormed to victory, routing Halep 6-1, 6-0 for one of the biggest titles of her career.

2018 – Kiki Bertens

Unseeded Bertens defied the odds to claim one of the biggest titles of her career at the event six years ago.

The Dutch star beat second seed Caroline Wozniacki and fifth seed Svitolina on her way to the last four, where she rallied from a set down to defeat eighth seed Petra Kvitova.

And she pulled off another impressive comeback in the final, saving a championship point to beat Halep 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 and lift her first WTA 1000 crown.

Keys battled past the likes of Muguruza and fourth seed Halep to reach the last eight, where she convincingly dispatched Venus Williams before a semi-final win over Sofia Kenin.

The final against Kuznetsova was not easy but the American was able to get the job done in straight sets, winning 7-5, 7-6(5).

2020 – Victoria Azarenka

The 2020 edition was held in New York due to the COVID US Open bubble – but that did not stop 2013 champion Azarenka from reclaiming her title.

The former world No 1 eased past 15th seed Donna Vekic in round one and did not drop a set on her way to the last four, dispatching Ons Jabeur in the quarter-final.

Azarenka battled from a set down to defeat Johanna Konta in their semi-final, and then won the title after finalist Naomi Osaka was forced to withdraw due to injury.

2021 – Ashleigh Barty

Weeks after claiming her second major at SW19, Barty claimed her first and only Cincinnati title with an emphatic run through the draw.

The Australian dropped just two games against reigning champion Azarenka in round three, and then eased past ninth seed Barbora Krejcikova and Kerber to make the final.

Barty was a heavy favourite against surprise finalist Jill Teichmann and duly delivered, prevailing 6-3, 6-1 to lift the title.

2022 – Caroline Garcia

A stunning second half of 2022 saw former world No 4 Garcia storm to one of the biggest titles of her career two years ago.

Garcia came through qualifying and beat 4th seed Maria Sakkari in round two and seventh seed Jessica Pegula in the last eight, before a semi-final victory over sixth seed Aryna Sabalenka.

The French star then dispatched Kvitova 6-2, 6-4 to win the final and become the first qualifier to win a WTA 1000 title.

2023 – Coco Gauff

World No 2 Gauff comes in as the reigning champion after an epic run to her first, and currently only, WTA 1000 victory twelve months ago.

The seventh seed did not drop a set on her way to the last four, where she stunned Iga Swiatek in three sets – beating the world No 1 for the first time.

That powered her into the final, where she overcame Karolina Muchova 6-3, 6-4 to lift the title on home soil

“Have you ever had an unforgettable moment?” was a poll tennis legend Serena Williams raised after her amazing experience at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. While every second of her presence was “truly unforgettable” for her as well as the spectators, it is now time for Venus Williams to take the legacy ahead. As the glorious event is about to end, the authorities dropped surprising updates regarding the star-studded LA28 handover and the closing ceremony.

The United States is preparing for a big moment, not just to celebrate a massive line of 126 medals but also for the Olympic flag to be handed over to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games. This significant event is expected to set the stage for one of the biggest celebrations in Olympic history.

While Serena Williams carried the Olympic Torch in the Paris opening ceremony, it is time she hands over the honor to her sister Venus Williams as she steps into the spotlight to host the LA28 handover segment. The five-time Olympic medalist and tennis champion is announced to be the host of the LA28 Countdown.

This event will air after the closing ceremony on NBC and Peacock. Venus, known for her legendary tennis career, will guide the audience through a vibrant evening that will be focused on sharing a glimpse of the LA28 Games and the energy of California. The celebration is set to feature behind-the-scenes footage of the LA28 handover and appearances by Olympic legends Carl Lewis, Sugar Ray Leonard, USA Water Polo Hall of Famer Brenda Villa, and Paralympic swimmer and five-time medalist Rudy Garcia-Tolson.

“The countdown to LA28 begins with the Paris Closing Ceremony. As we conclude one of the most spectacular Games ever, Paris will hand over the Olympic flag to Los Angeles, who gets things started with a powerhouse lineup of musical superstars that will rock the world,” said Molly Solomon, Executive Producer, and President of NBC Olympics Programming.

Along with Venus, globally renowned artist Snoop Dogg, who is a California native, is also set to add a musical touch to the ceremony. Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist Billie Eilish, Grammy-winning group Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Grammy Award-winning artist H.E.R., also born and raised in California, are other famous names to make the evening memorable.

As these big names look forward to setting the stage on fire, Venus will be the one to guide millions of spectators through the star-studded evening. Along with the update spreading like a fever across all media channels, Venus also made sure to add a glimpse of it on her Instagram profile.

Venus Williams’ Instagram echos the enormous update

While the news channels are abuzz with updates on Venus Williams’ new gig at the Paris Olympics, she made sure to bless her followers with a confirmation. She recently shared a post on Instagram in collaboration with LA28 games’ official page. The post featured a picture of her in an adorable dress with a caption that highlighted her gig at the handover ceremony.

“5x Olympic medalist, tennis champion, entrepreneur, and now Host of the Countdown to LA28 Party, @venuswilliams is serving it all in the latest on the LA28 Games,” the post caption said. The engagement rate started touching skies, attracting likes and comments from fans and followers. Among the many responses that congratulated her on this victory, one comment was from Katerina Adams, the chairperson of Fed Cup.