Serena Williams’ Hubby Alexis Ohanian Aces “Umbrella Holder” Role
2024 Olympics: See All the Celebs at the Opening Ceremony
Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian got served with a new title at the 2024 Paris Olympics—and his response to it is a grand slam.
During Eurosport’s live TV coverage of the Opening Ceremony July 26, co-host Laura Woods commented that the tennis star arrived with an “umbrella holder,” referring to her spouse, who held one up for his wife to shield her from the rain as they walked the red carpet with their daughter Olympia, 6.
“Olympia. Serena. Serena’s Personal Umbrella Holder,” the Reddit co-founder later captioned an Instagram pic of himself with his wife and daughter at the Opening Ceremony, adding a laughing face emoji. “Let the games begin!”
Laura had made her comment after complimenting Serena’s style—a red, ruched midi bodycon dress paired with brown pointed pumps.
“She looks absolutely incredible,” the TV presenter said. “She’s got someone just behind us holding an umbrella. Those are the levels you aspire to. To have an actual umbrella holder behind you.”
On July 27, Alexis, 41, shared a photo of himself holding the umbrella on the Opening Ceremony red carpet while walking beside Olympia, writing on X, “I’m also Olympia’s personal umbrella holder.”
And the jokes kept coming.
Karwai Tang/WireImage
One user wrote, “You look like a secret service agent.” Alexis replied, “That is my mindset in public with these girls.”
Another person joked to the businessman, who also shares with Serena daughter Adira, 11 months, “You do realise this is forever, right?” to which the tech entrepreneur responded, “Yes.”
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Serena, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, played a special part in the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympics.
She, fellow tennis star Rafael Nadal, American track and field icon Carl Lewis and legendary Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, all rode a boat together on the River Seine to help bring the Olympic torch to its destination—a cauldron by the Louvre. The container was later lit and suspected on a hot-air balloon.
While no one was spotted on umbrella duty at that time, although Serena appeared unbothered by the rain.
“We’re completely soaked,” the 42-year-old said in a selfie video recorded on the boat and shared on Instagram. “Super excited I decided not to wear the white dress. But it’s fun! I’ll never forget this!”
Read on to see more celebs at the 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony…
Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Images
Tom Cruise
The actor took pics with fans while watching the women’s gymnastics qualifiers.
Tom Weller/VOIGT/GettyImages
Lady Gaga
The singer praised Simone Biles on Instagram over her balance beam routine.
Arturo Holmes/Getty Images
Anna Wintour & Baz Luhrmann
The Vogue editor-in-chief and director sat together as they watched the women’s gymnastics qualifiers.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Snoop Dogg
The rapper was all smiles at the women’s gymnastics qualifiers.
GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images
Chrissy Teigen, John Legend, Luna, Miles & Nick Jonas
The couple appeared with their two eldest kids at the gymnastics qualifiers, which they also watched with the Jonas Brothers singer.
Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Tom Cruise
The actor cheered on Team USA at the 4x100m freestyle relay during day one of the swimming event.
Zac Efron
The actor had a front-row view to the parade along the Seine during the Opening Ceremony.Â
Zac Efron
The High School Musical alum also checked out Van Gogh’s self-portrait at MusĂ©e d’Orsay alongside pal Caleb Davidge and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky during his trip to Paris.
Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images
CĂ©line Dion
The musician made her concert comeback at the Opening Ceremony, performing “Hymne A L’Amour” at the Eiffel Tower.
Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Carl Lewis & Nadia Comaneci
The iconic athletes helped carry the Olympic torch as they made their way down the River Seine during the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening ceremony.
Hoda Kotb & Tom Cruise
“Do you know when you dream of meeting Tom Cruise,” Hoda captioned the photo from the Opening Ceremony, “and then it finally happens.”Â
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images
John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Luna & Miles
All of you will love this adorable photo of the family of four.
Matthew Stockman / Staff / GETTY IMAGES
Kelly Clarkson
We can’t breakaway from the singer’s dazzling look for the Olympics.
Kristy Sparow / Stringer / GETTY IMAGES
Alan Cumming
Yes, your instinct is correct: The Traitors host was seen flashing a peace sign while at an event prior to the Olympics.
Kristy Sparow / Stringer / GETTY IMAGES
Jeremy Allen White
The Bear star heated up the Prelude to the Olympics event with a suave look.
Tom Nicholson
Taika Waititi
The filmmaker showed up in smooth fashion while out in Paris.
Tom Nicholson
Yvonne Orji
The actress secured her spot on the red carpet while out at a fashion-forward event.
Tom Nicholson
Lashana Lynch
Her name is Lashana. Lashana Lynch: The No Time to Die star made an apppearance worth dying for.
Tom Nicholson
Angel Reese
The WNBA star made a winning appearance while out in the City of Lights.
Tom Nicholson
Christian Louboutin
The fashion designer made sure to stun in his signature red.
Tom Nicholson
Judd Apatow
The Knocked Up director was front and center for a Parisian party.
Tom Nicholson
Spike Lee
The Inside Man director did the right thing by stepping out for a night in Paris.
Julien M. Hekimian / Stringer / GETTY IMAGES
Mick Jagger & Melanie Hamrick
The couple flashed a few grins while posing together at a party.
Tom Nicholson
John Mulaney
The comedian was all smiles while sporting a stylish two-piece brown suit.
Matthew Stockman / Staff / GETTY IMAGES
Lindsey Vonn
The Olympian’s outfit for her daytime outing earns her 10s across the board.
Matthew Stockman / Staff / GETTY IMAGES
Alex Cooper
Call her French: The podcaster stunned in a brown full-length dress while out in Paris.
Matthew Stockman / Staff / GETTY IMAGES
Prince Albert II of Monaco & Princess Charlene of Monaco
The couple made a royally stylish appearance ahead of the 2024 Paris Games.
Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP via Getty Images
Ariana Grande & Cynthia ErivoÂ
The musical duo looked Wickedly wonderful in green and pink outfits as an homage to their characters—Elphaba and Glinda—in the upcoming musical adaptation.Â
Stephane De Sakutin – Pool/Getty Images
Pharrell WilliamsÂ
The music mogul participated in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Torch Relay on July 26.Â
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Emma Chamberlain
The Anything Goes podcast host arrived at the red carpet ahead of the opening ceremony July 26 shortly after sharing an Olympics 2024 themed ad for Chamberlain Coffee on Instagram.Â
Watch the 2024 Paris Olympics daily on NBC and Peacock until the summer games end with the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.
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