VIEWERS of the Democratic National Convention were left disappointed on the final night after Beyoncé didn’t show up ahead of Kamala Harris’ headlining speech.
The Grammy award-winning singer was rumored to be in Chicago and gearing up for a surprise performance before Vice President Harris was set to officially accept the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.
TMZ reported that the rumored Beyoncé performance put the Chicago Police Department on high alert for night four of the event with tightened security at the United Center.
One political account on X, The Angry Staffer, which is run by a former White House staffer, alluded to the rumors in a post.
“I’ve been sworn to secrecy, but you don’t want to miss the DNC tonight,” they wrote, garnering nearly 17 million views on their post.
“If you thought the Oprah surprise was big, just wait.”
However, the Washington Post later reported that DNC organizers have denied any rumors of a special guest.
“A person who has spoken with convention organizers, including Ricky Kirchner, Stephanie Cutter, Minyon Moore, and Jen O’Malley Dillon, said there is no such special guest planned,” reported the Post.
Not to mention, a representative for Beyoncé told The Hollywood Reporter that the singer was not scheduled to attend the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
“The report of a performance is untrue.”
Even TMZ later admitted to sharing incorrect information.
“To quote the great Beyonce: We gotta lay our cards down, down, down … we got this one wrong,” the outlet wrote on X.
It was rumored that Beyoncé may perform her song, Freedom, before Harris’s speech.
The rumor garnered excitement since the singer recently sent Trump’s campaign a cease and desist for using the same song.
It comes as talks have swirled all week on whether Beyoncé or Taylor Swift would make an appearance at the event.
Viewers were left in a frenzy when White House Political Director Emmy Ruiz tweeted a bee emoji on X.
However, once Harris’ speech started and the DNC ultimately came to a close, fans were left disappointed and upset.
“Whoever started the Beyoncé at the DNC rumor better start running now,” one user wrote on X.
“Now why yall say Beyoncé was gone be at this damn convention,” said another.
“You don’t ever lie on Beyoncé ,” proclaimed someone else under TMZ’s post that said the singer was set to perform Thursday night.
Beyoncé, who is also known as Queen Bey, is often associated with a bee – her dedicated fanbase is even called the BeyHive.
“Sorry guys, my 6 year old took my phone,” Ruiz explained, however, many believe she was hinting at a possible appearance from Beyoncé.
Delaware Senator Chris Coons even said there would be an “unexpected musical guest” before Harris’ speech, according to White House correspondent Christian Datoc.
Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, also has ties to the singer after declaring July 20, 2023, Beyoncé Day ahead of her performance at Huntington Bank Stadium last summer.
“I might be Governor of Minnesota, but we all know who runs the world,” Walz wrote on X at the time.
“Welcome to Minnesota, Beyoncé.”
CONSTANT RUMORS
The two singers were initially thought to be potential speakers who would introduce Harris, however, the official program revealed that North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper was given the spot.
Cooper and Harris, who both served as attorney generals of their respective states, have known each other for a long time.
The inside of the convention, however, is buzzing with anticipation of Beyoncé’s rumored appearance.
Several delegates at the United Center were seen wearing colorful cowboy hats with sashes that read “Cowboy Kamala,” a nod to Beyoncé’s latest album, Cowboy Carter.
“If the Queen Bee Beyoncé performs [Friday] it will be fitting, a gift from one queen to the other,” Harris’s former classmate Cramer Osaghae told the Daily Beast.
“But a democratic one.”
Oregon delegate Stephanie Newton-Azorr told The Hill that she heard the rumors of Beyoncé performing.
“I know she can also mobilize her fan base and help turn out the vote,” said Newton-Azorr.
“People listen to Beyoncé. They listen when she speaks.”
KHIVE
Online supporters drew comparisons to Harris and Beyoncé after creating a fanbase for the then-California senator called the KHive in 2017 – an obvious reference to the BeyHive.
Harris referred to the KHive by name in a 2020 post on X, thanking them for the support they’ve given her “during these difficult times.”
“Your support does not go unnoticed, so thank you.”
The KHive grew in popularity in 2019 during Harris’ unsuccessful presidential run before growing quiet after becoming Joe Biden’s running mate.
However, after Biden announced he would not seek reelection on July 21, the fandom became reinvigorated.
Many have associated Harris with the viral TikTok term Brat Summer, made famous by British singer Charli XCX who released her album of the same name.
After Biden dropped out of the race, Charli famously tweeted: “Kamala IS brat.”
‘GET IT RIGHT’
Night Four host Kerry Washington gave the audience the rundown on how to pronounce Harris’ first name with the help of the vice president’s nieces, Amara and Leela Ajagu.
“Confusion is understandable. Disrespect is not,” said Washington, best known for playing Olivia Pope in the drama series Scandal.
“Tonight, we’re gonna help everybody get it right.”
Washington, Amara, and Leela involved the crowd in an exercise to pronounce Harris’ first name – pronouncing it “Comma” and “La.”
Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly mispronounced Harris’ name on the campaign trail, even spelling it incorrectly on social media.
Harris’ stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff, appeared with Harris’ niece, Meena, and her goddaughter, Helena Hudlin.
“Kamala came into my life when I was 14,” said Ella, 25. “Famously, a very easy time for a teenager.
“Like a lot of young people, I didn’t always understand what I was feeling.
“But no matter what, Kamala was there for me. She was patient, caring, and always took me seriously.”
Helena, whose mother introduced Doug Emhoff to Harris back in 2013, said Harris’ advice means everything to her.
“She taught me that making a difference means giving your whole heart and taking action.”
Source: https://www.the-sun.com/news/12269726/beyonce-surprise-performance-dnc-final-night/