WASHINGTON — Many celebrities have publicly endorsed President Barack Obama, but there is one who has decided to stay out of the political process this election year: Olympic gold medalist and entrepreneur Venus Williams.
The Washington Kastles star is now the owner of three Jamba Juice locations in the District of Columbia. In a video interview at the grand opening of her Dupont Circle store, the tennis star shied away from giving her opinion of Obama’s handling of the economy.
As Obama pushes for tax increases on individuals making over $250,000 annually, TheDC asked Williams if his economic policies have helped her business ventures. (RELATED: Obama tax hike would affect 1.2 million small businesses)
“I’m a professional athlete, so I’m really, you know, I know a lot about sports, so I’m not an expert in economic policy, so I would be, you know, remiss to comment on anything like that. But I can tell you I’m very excited to be a franchise owner,” she told TheDC on Tuesday. “For me, this is beyond my dreams. It supports the healthy, active lifestyle that I promote, so this is amazing.” (RELATED: Exclusive: Brad Pitt still supports Obama: ‘I have’ and ‘remain so’ [VIDEO])
TheDC also asked Williams if she plans on campaigning for President Obama.
“Right now, my main focus is the Olympics coming up, and then the U.S. Open is right after that so for me those are my priorities,” she replied. (RELATED: Julia Louis-Dreyfus: ‘I’m very satisfied’ with Obama and will vote for him ‘again’ [VIDEO])
In addition to the Jamba Juice in Dupont Circle, Williams owns the Union Station and Bethesda, Maryland stores.