Laverne Cox has been in the news recently for reasons other than her movie roles. When Serena Williams played her first singles match in her final US Open competition, all eyes were on the great tennis star. But when it came to one audience member who some in the online community mistook for Beyoncé, several heads turned and necks were scratched. Cox was the icon.
The “Orange is the New Black” actress, sporting honey blonde hair, hoop earrings, and a mask, was a spectator at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York. Twitter users get excited assuming that Beyoncé was in the crowd to support Williams because Cox’s face was mostly hidden by the PPE.
However, some people, including Cox herself, found the mix-up amusing.
Williams defeated Danka Kovinic in her match, while other tweets claim Cox also won that night.
Beyoncé did, however, make a presence during the Williams match broadcast. The singer, whose “Renaissance” album was released last month, provided the voiceover for a Gatorade ad honouring the tennis player on Monday.
It’s possible to watch the musician encouraging Williams during the US Open this year. In her attendance at Williams’ Wimbledon final in 2016, she animatedly cheered while watching the match.
Following Williams’ announcement that she will be retiring from the sport after the US Open to concentrate on other aspects of her life, celebrities and sports legends descended in large numbers to see her play on Monday. Spike Lee, Queen Latifah, and Hugh Jackman were among the other confirmed well-known individuals in the crowd.
Williams’ favourite colour is pink, which Billie Jean King wore during her speech in honour of the 40-year-old tennis player. Gayle King interviewed Williams following the match while showing her tribute video, which was narrated by Oprah Winfrey.