Serena Williams makes a point to get beignets whenever she visits New Orleans.
Why it matters: The tennis champion and beauty mogul is in town for Essence Festival.
The big picture: Williams is promoting her new clean makeup line, Wyn Beauty, during several appearances this weekend.
* The makeup is formulated to “move in, even on the steamiest New Orleans day,” she told Axios New Orleans in an emailed interview.
* Her favorite product for sweaty days is Wyn’s Glideline Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, which she says she uses for her signature cat-eye.
The latest: She greeted fans Friday night at Ulta in Elmwood, where some got in line two hours early to meet the record-breaking athlete.
* She laughed with moms, smiled with fashionistas and posed with tennis super fans.
Favorite restaurant: She’s planning to stop by Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter this weekend, she tells Axios.
“I mean, who can resist a beignet?” she says. “Beignets are hands down my favorite New Orleans dish and I can’t wait to have a bite while I’m here.”
Catch up quick: Williams has several connections to New Orleans — she was married here and her longtime trainer, Mackie Shilstone, lives here.
* She made headlines in 2017 with her fairy-tale themed wedding at the Contemporary Arts Center to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. They picked New Orleans because it’s Ohanian’s “favorite city besides Brooklyn,” she told Vogue.
* Guests included Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian West, Anna Wintour and La La Anthony.
* The couple now lives north of Miami with their two children, Olympia and Adira.
Between the lines: Williams had a life-threatening experience during Olympia’s birth.
* Williams now is an outspoken advocate for maternal health, and Wyn Beauty supports organizations that provide maternal care services.
Zoom in: “Being a mom is one of my greatest joys,” she tells Axios.
* She also has “a thing for roller coasters, Disney and Princess Tiana” so of course Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the New Orleans-themed ride that recently opened at Disney World, is on her radar.
* “I hear that the new Princess Tiana ride also brought beignets to Disney World,” she says. “Even more reason to visit!”
What’s next: Williams will be the topic of two panels Saturday.
* Disney is hosting a discussion at noon about the making of “In the Arena: Serena Williams.” Panelists are producer Ashley Bembry-Kaintuck and co-director Lauren Fisher, moderated by Andscape’s Ari Chambers. Williams won’t be at the panel. RSVP.
* Williams discusses her new beauty line at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center at 1:45pm.
