As Venus Williams prepares to play in her 18th US Open this afternoon, we can’t help but sit in awe at all she’s accomplished. As the only American player with a major singles title to her name in the men’s or women’s fields she’s won 749 matches and made $3.4 million in prize money.
But despite her success on the court, she’s always striving for more off court having founded two companies, V Starr Interiors and EleVen by Venus Williams clothing brand. Now, through her partnership with American Express the athlete is showing off her design skills in two short (and cute) ads.
“This campaign highlights the things that I do off the court,” she told ESSENCE. “It shows the many facets of me as a cardholder and that a lot of cardholders have a lot of facets as well —so I think a lot of people will relate to it.”
American Express also tapped Williams’ passion for interior design by getting direction from her on elements of their expanded Card Member Club within the US Open American Express Fan Experience lounge.
With all this work, we had to know what the icon listens for fun before games.
“It’s all about being relaxed and confident,” she said. “Honestly, you put the work during practice matches. So it’s really about who’s the most confident and relaxed when the big show starts. [And what] I’m listening to is always changing. Right now, I’m listening to Frank Ocean, I love him so much. It’s not exactly pump-up music, but I love him.”
