Venus Williams was living on the edge on Sunday in Hollywood as she hit the Academy Awards red carpet in a daring low-cut dress. The 41-year-old tennis icon put on a busty display in the white dress, which elegantly hugged her athletic figure.
She was representing Best Picture nominee King Richard, which charts her father Richard Williams’ early years as her and sister Serena Williams’ coach, before the two became tennis superstars. The athlete and her sister Serena were the first people featured at the start of the Oscars broadcast as they introduced Beyoncé, who performed her song Be Alive from the film. Venus was a vision in the brilliant white custom Elie Saab dress which had a rounded plunging neckline that reached down to the top of her toned midriff.
It was lined with a thick metallic strip that appeared to have come loose from some of the fabric. The sleeveless look showcased the tennis champions toned arms, which she decorated with thick silver cuffs around her wrists, along with crimson nails for an extra splash of color.
The dark-haired beauty wore her raven tresses tied up high and fanned out down her back, which framed her wing-shaped Tiffany & Co. silver earrings. Venus’ outfit reached down to the red carpet and completely covered her footwear, leaving a short train behind her.
She’ll be rooting for her family’s biopic King Richard to take home the top prize for Best Picture this evening. The film — which was executive produced by Venus and her sister Serena — stars Will Smith as their father, Richard Williams.
It charts their early years, when the sisters were marked for future tennis fame by their father. He and his then-wife Brandy (Supporting Actress nominee Aunjanue Ellis) coach their daughters will working other jobs. Richard creates plenty of strain with his family and with the professional coaches they work with as forbids his daughters from playing on the junior circuit in favor of focusing on school.
He also urges them to refuse sponsorship deals in the hopes that they’ll attract more lucrative offers once they reveal their dominance on the court. In addition to the Best Picture and Supporting Actress nods, Smith is nominating for Best Actor, and the film is up for Editing and Original Screenplay, along with Original Song for Beyoncé’s Be Alive.
He also urges them to refuse sponsorship deals in the hopes that they’ll attract more lucrative offers once they reveal their dominance on the court. In addition to the Best Picture and Supporting Actress nods, Smith is nominating for Best Actor, and the film is up for Editing and Original Screenplay, along with Original Song for Beyoncé’s Be Alive. Earlier in the day on Instagram, Venus looked glamorous in her dress while descending a set of stairs outside.
‘I’ve tried my best to prepare for every moment in life. I’ve trained my mind, body soul and spirit to be prepared and ready for anything that comes my way. Until now…. Until now…I could have never dreamed or prepared to be at the @theacademy awards for a film that tells my FAMILY’S story,’ she wrote in her caption.
‘This is beyond my dream. What can I tell you. Keep dreaming. Keep working. Keep fighting. You don’t know where life might take you. I’m from Compton, California. And now I’m allow the way here. Its so good to BE ALIVE!’
Another photo emphasized her elegant side profile. Despite being a celebrity herself, Venus was over the moon when she spotted Jennifer Garner in casual attire before the ceremony. She beamed ear-to-ear as she posed with last year’s Best Actor winner, Anthony Hopkins.
She wore a black blazer with matching jeans and combat boots, and in another image she threw back her jacket and revealed her white tank top while dancing.
