Nike's Ad On Female Empowerment Was the Best Oscars Moment

The commercial, which debuted at last night's Oscars ceremony, featured some badass female athletes and sports stars—and was narrated by Serena Williams, no less.

All images: NikeThe 2019 Oscars were filled with touching surprises, from Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's duet to Selma Blair's poignant red-carpet moment. Yet, one of the most impactful moments wasn't part of the actual broadcast but a Nike advertisement featuring narrative by Serena Williams and appearances from other inspiring female athletes such as Simone Biles and Ibtihaj Muhammad.

Entitled "Dream Crazier", the commercial is a potent commentary on the negative descriptors frequently applied to female athletes; notably the term "crazy".

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Typically when we demonstrate emotion, society labels us as over-the-top," asserts Williams. "When the idea of competing against men comes up, we're deemed insane. Dreaming of fair opportunities? That's considered wishful thinking. When we advocate for something, we're viewed as unstable. If we excel beyond expectations, they claim there's something amiss. Express frustration and we're seen as irrational or plainly mad."

"What's truly astounding, however, are the remarkable achievements made by female athletes," she affirms. This could be anything from completing a marathon, engaging in a boxing match, executing a slam dunk, participating in sports wearing a hijab or, "securing 23 grand slams, bearing a child, and then returning to the game for more."

"So if their preference is to call you mad, let them," she adds. "Demonstrate to them what madness can accomplish."

Undeniably, Williams has faced her fair share of gender-related criticism throughout her professional journey. A prime example is her high-profile clash with an umpire during a match that led to a hefty $17,000 fine - a punishment that notably male players often escape in similar situations. Prior to this, the president of the French Tennis Federation prohibited catsuits on the court after Williams wore one during a competition. He claimed her Wakanda-inspired attire was an excessive violation and disrespectful towards "the game and the place." Consequently, there couldn't be a better choice than Williams to narrate and lead this empowering message. (It's worth mentioning that this isn't Williams' first appearance in a female empowerment ad. She recently encouraged women to harness their strength to effect significant change in a Super Bowl ad collaboration with Bumble.) Having been aired just last night, Nike's advertisement has already amassed over four million views on YouTube, serving as a powerful testament to the boundless possibilities that daring to dream big can bring forth. Don't miss out on this inspiring video below, and prepare to be filled with an irresistible drive to conquer: