In 2022, Serena appeared in a tribute video celebrating LeBron’s 20th NBA season. She congratulated him, saying, “From one GOAT to another, congratulations on 20 years,” highlighting her admiration for his enduring excellence. It was a golden moment where the bond between the two sporting icons, Serena and LeBron James, was on display. Over the years, both stars have shown mutual respect for each other, with the NBA legend never shying away from showering praise on Serena. Now, with LeBron’s latest awe-inspiring collaboration making waves, Serena finds herself gasping in amazement once again, this time, as a fan.

Just last month, LeBron James made headlines, stepping into the iconic Barbie universe. Mattel unveiled its latest creation: the Barbie Signature LeBron James Kenbassador Doll, honoring LeBron as the brand’s first-ever Kenbassador for his two-decade legacy of cultural, stylistic, and community impact. Retailing at $75, the doll will be available at select Target stores and online via Target.com, Amazon, Walmart, and Mattel Creations.

Standing an inch taller than the classic Ken, the doll showcases the NBA GOAT in a varsity jacket adorned with “LJ” on the front, Nike sneakers, and Beats headphones, oozing both swagger and legacy. Serena Williams couldn’t help but celebrate the launch, calling it the perfectly cast gift for her two daughters, passing on greatness wrapped in inspiration.

On Saturday, Serena Williams shared a short video on her IG page, unveiling the latest merchandise featuring LeBron James. Holding up the box with the tagline Where legacy lives, Serena showcased the doll dressed in the sleek blue jacket. With additional outfits included, the set looked both collectible and playful.

While highlighting the product, the former World No. 1 expressed her excitement, saying, “When I first read about this, I was like how dope is that. Look at this; LeBron James Barbie, Isn’t it crazy? Like the first kindle. You know, my girls love Barbie. I love this and can’t wait for the girls to play with this.” A legacy-packed gift, indeed! Notably, last year, Serena’s sister Venus was also honored by Barbie.

Celebrating the brand’s 65th anniversary, Mattel released nine new Barbie dolls depicting some of the world’s most celebrated female athletes, including tennis star Venus Williams and Canadian soccer icon Christine Sinclair.

It’s well known that Serena Williams’ daughters, Olympia and Adira, are quite fond of dolls! In a heartwarming IG video previously, Serena could be seen playing with Olympia and her doll collection. In the clip, Serena asks, “What’s this doll’s name?” to which Olympia responds with a playful noise. Serena lovingly replies, “Well, that’s so cute,” showcasing their joyful bond.

Meanwhile, the LeBron Ken doll is outfitted with thoughtful tributes to LeBron James’ roots and legacy.

One sleeve features an Ohio patch and a crown emblem, while the other bears the number 23, his iconic jersey number. Across the back, “LeBron” is boldly printed above the phrase “Just a kid from Akron,” honoring the city where he was born. Under the jacket, the doll wears a shirt that reads “We Are Family,” a heartfelt reference to LeBron’s foundation and its community-driven mission.

Speaking after the monumental launch, LeBron remarked, “As a young kid, I was fortunate to have role models who not only inspired me, but also showed me what’s possible through hard work and dedication. Now, as an adult, I understand how vital it is for young people to have positive figures to look up to.” 

Beyond dolls, Serena has also been embracing her love for books again.

Serena Williams receives best-selling gift from Melinda French Gates

Serena Williams’ love for books runs deep, not just as a passionate reader but also as an inspiring author. In 2022, she made her literary debut with The Adventures of Qai Qai, a children’s book inspired by her vision to create more diverse dolls and stories for young readers. Qai Qai, a character born in collaboration with Invisible Universe, quickly became a social media favorite and a powerful symbol of positivity and imagination.

By 2023, the 43-year-old champion had signed a two-book deal with Random House. The first book, a deeply personal memoir, promises to offer raw, honest reflections on her journey from a young girl with a dream to a global tennis icon. The second book is set to be an empowering guide, sharing lessons from her experience as a pioneering entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate for young women.

And just yesterday, Serena shared a heartfelt moment on her IG Story, where she held up The Next Day, a book by Melinda French Gates. She described how the book’s themes of Transition, Change and Moving Forward deeply resonated with her current life phase after retirement. “This is such a great book by Melinda Gates. Talking about the next day, moving forward, and change. She never expected to write a book like this. So it’s a very timely book and I highly recommend you to check it out. You know I love my books, and thanks to Melinda sent it out,” Serena said.

Books remain one of her truest passions, a quiet space where the 43-year-old can hide between the words and reflect on the beauty, resilience, and longevity of life.