By ERIC BLUM, US SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 10:07 EDT, 9 September 2025 | Updated: 10:07 EDT, 9 September 2025

Serena Williams is ready for her close-up as she has made an unexpected career move, joining the team behind musical-theater smash hit ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ for its upcoming national tour. 

Williams will be a co-producer for the staging of the Broadway musical across America, which was written by and partially based on the teenage years of 17-time Grammy-winner Alicia Keys. 

The jukebox musical contains many of Keys’ most famous songs with the backdrop of the titular New York City neighborhood where the superstar grew up. 

‘I was blown away when I saw HELL’S KITCHEN on Broadway last summer,’ said Williams via news release. ‘I am proud to join the producing team of my first ever Broadway show and support Alicia and the amazing company of HELL’S KITCHEN as they get ready to light up the country on tour. Go see HELL’S KITCHEN when it comes to a city near you!’

What Williams exact role will be with the tour is unclear, with producers having a wide-ranging role behind the scenes of a large-scale show. 

The tour begins next month in Cleveland, with Keys herself pumped to have the tennis icon on board with her show. 

Tennis icon Serena Williams has joined the producing team for the musical 'Hell's Kitchen'

Tennis icon Serena Williams has joined the producing team for the musical ‘Hell’s Kitchen’

The musical was written by and is partially based on the life of Grammy-winner Alicia Keys

The musical was written by and is partially based on the life of Grammy-winner Alicia Keys

‘Our show is all about dreaming big and there is no one who embodies that spirit quite like Serena Williams,’ Keys said via news release. ‘I am so excited to have Serena join the HELL’S KITCHEN family as a co-producer as we begin our North American tour…it just keeps getting better! We’re so grateful! Let’s go!!!’

Adding theater to her profile as an entrepreneur is a new direction for the 23-time Grand Slam champion.  

Williams has previously invested in sports franchises, such as the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, the NWSL’s Angel City FC, and the upcoming WNBA expansion franchise in Toronto. 

The Canadian franchise that will begin play in 2026 as the league’s 14th team, after the Golden State Valkyries start this year as No 13. 

Whether Williams will make an on-stage cameo as part of the show is unclear too, like she did during the Super Bowl halftime show, as a guest of Kendrick Lamar, as a nod to his feud with Drake.  

Share or comment on this article:
Serena Williams on Broadway! Tennis icon makes unexpected career move and joins Grammy Award-winning singer for bold new job