The internet let out a collective sob when Beyoncé’s publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure, shut down rumours that the 32-time Grammy winner would be performing at the Democratic National Convention in the US.
“At home watching and anticipating the VP’s historic speech,” wrote Noel-Schure prior to Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Nominee, taking the stage on Thursday. “Focus on the win and register to vote. Do not report rumours. FOCUS.”
Her post was seen as a direct reference to rampant speculation that the Renaissance star would appear at the four-day-long event. Fueled by a TMZ report that Beyoncé would grace the stage on the final night of the DNC and X/Twitter verified accounts with large followings posting about the possible “surprise” (one account, @Angry_Staffer has since apologised), the rumour spread across nearly every social media platform and even had Democratic party organisers and Chicago government officials preparing for the possibility of Beyoncé’s arrival.
As the news that Bey would not be making an appearance finally sunk in, the internet and Beyhive reacted with a flurry of memes and posts emanating devastation.
“Has TMZ ever been this wrong before?” wrote TV writer Ben Siemon. “This is a total failure of American intelligence. A special counsel needs to be assigned.”
Meanwhile, Adam Smith, the vice president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, joked, “It’s time to subpoena TMZ.”
Beyoncé fan accounts also expressed their supreme disappointment, including Beyoncé Press., which took to X to post a list of Bey-less events.
While the rumours ultimately turned out to be an empty promise, the DNC was packed with star-studded appearances including performances by Stevie Wonder, John Legend and Sheila E on Wednesday night, and a surprise appearance from Lil Jon for Georgia during the delegation roll call. To close out the convention, The Chicks delivered a rendition of the National Anthem, while Pink and her daughter Willow Sage sang a heartfelt performance of her song “What About Us.”
Bey herself has indicated her support for Harris, with her Lemonade track “Freedom” serving as the Harris-Walz campaign’s unofficial campaign song for several weeks. The vice president’s team also debuted a campaign ad with the track earlier this week.
Harris has been using “Freedom” — with Beyoncé’s permission — since the launch of her presidential campaign. At her first public appearance after securing Biden’s endorsement, Harris walked out to the podium while “Freedom” played.
Beyoncé has been a longtime Democrat. Ahead of the 2020 Election, she shared a photo of herself wearing a Biden-Harris face mask. “Come thru, Texas! #Vote,” she captioned the post. Throughout 2020, Beyoncé supported her mother, Tina Knowles-Lawson, in her efforts to help voter protections ahead of the 2020 election.
And in the 2012 election, Beyoncé shared a handwritten note on her website, expressing her support for President Barack Obama’s re-election. “Every day we see your heart and character, inspiring all of us to give more of ourselves,” the singer wrote, before going on to call Obama “the leader to take us from where we are to where we need to be.”
From Rolling Stone US
