Serena Williams’ Daughter Gets the ‘Umbrella’ Treatment from Dad Alexis Ohanian — But Don't Praise Him for It
After going viral for holding an umbrella over his wife Serena Williams at the red-carpet of the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony on Friday night, Alexis Ohanian is leaning into the title — and reminding people that he doesn’t deserve any praise or attention for it.
In case you missed it, a British sports reporter was talking about how “absolutely incredible” the 23-time Grand Slam champion looked at the event in a form-fitting red gown and heels. Then the reporter noticed Ohanian walking behind his wife holding up an umbrella to shield her from the rain. “She’s got someone just behind us holding an umbrella,” the reporter said, per Page Six. “Those are the levels you aspire to. To have an actual umbrella holder behind you.”
Never mind that he’s the co-founder of Reddit and has an impressive tech background — to the world, he’s just Williams’ umbrella holder! Ohanian cheekily commented on the dig on Instagram, sharing a picture of him, Williams, and their eldest daughter Olympia, 6. “Olympia. Serena. Serena’s Personal Umbrella Holder. ???? Let the games begin! I’ll be watching a lot of T&F to soak up @athlos inspiration. ????” he wrote on Instagram. You gotta love a humble king!
Later, he revealed that he also gave the umbrella treatment to his daughter. “I’m also Olympia’s personal umbrella holder,” he joked over a picture of him holding a blue umbrella over his daughter as they walked in front of the Eiffel Tower. But just in case you thought holding an umbrella for the special ladies in your life was something to be praised, Ohanian gently reminded everyone that it’s literally the bare minimum you can do.
“Sidebar: Y’all set the bar too low for me ???? celeb dads get flowers just for *acknowledging* they have kids,” he wrote.
Yes, yes, yes! As a mom, I get so tired of people telling me how “lucky” I am to get to *gasp!* leave the house to get my nails done and leave the kids at home with my husband. Like, newsflash — he’s their dad! Men have just as much responsibility to their own kids as women, yet for some reason, society treats men like literal gods when they go to the grocery store with a child in tow. Women are either ignored (because it’s expected of us) or even looked down on — “Wow, it looks like you’ve got your hands full” is a phrase I would like to never hear again from judgy people. Ohanian is reminding people that you can step up for your kids and wife without winning a gold medal for it. You don’t praise a fish for swimming, so why do we praise dads for fathering?
Earlier this week, Ohanian shared a clip from his podcast Business Dad on Instagram, where he talked about savoring every moment with his “jrs” — aka, Olympia and daughter Adira, who turns 1 next month. In the clip, he gushes, “I am a sucker for the unsolicited hug or the unsolicited, ‘I love you, papa.’ It is pure black tar heroin of addiction. When it comes out of nowhere and it hits you, it is the greatest joy and high ever.”
He added, “And then if I get a hug with it or a kiss on the cheek, it has made my month. Maybe that’s why it’s so special, because you can’t control it.”
“You soak up every damn minute of it you get,” Ohanian encouraged other parents in the clip. “Ride that high for as long as you can because at some point, that little girl is going to be living her great life and that’s a moment in time you will never get back.”
Before you go, check out these celebrity dads who have the sweetest bonds with their daughters.