No, Beyoncé Didn't Perform At DNC—After False TMZ Report
Speculation about a possible surprise performance by Beyoncé at the Democratic National Convention reached a fever pitch Thursday after TMZ claimed she was set to appear—but the pop star ultimately didn’t emerge onstage during the convention, which Vice President Kamala Harris closed out Thursday evening.
Beyoncé at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards held at the Dolby Theatre on April 1, 2024 in Los ... [+] Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Billboard via Getty Images)
Billboard via Getty Images Key FactsRumors about Beyoncé circulated for days, but peaked Thursday after TMZ reported she would make an appearance on the last day of the Chicago convention, citing anonymous sources.
Shortly after the TMZ report, an unnamed Beyoncé representative told The Hollywood Reporter “the report of a performance is untrue” and she was never scheduled to attend the event, and The Washington Post reported a source who has spoken with convention organizers said there was no special guest—Beyoncé or otherwise—planned for Thursday.
Beyoncé—who previously had not endorsed Harris as she did Joe Biden in 2020, Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Barack Obama in 2012—gave the Harris-Walz campaign exclusive rights to use her song “Freedom,” which has been Harris’ walkout song at campaign rallies.
A possible Beyoncé performance was subject to heavy speculation throughout the week—White House political director Emily Ruiz fueled the rumors earlier Thursday tweeting a single bee emoji, a veiled reference to the “BeyHive,” as Beyoncé’s fan base is known, then subsequently tweeted “sorry guys my 6 year old took my phone.”
On Tuesday morning, Democratic Party Chair Jaime Harrison would neither confirm nor deny to CBS Mornings that the superstar was slated to appear, saying instead “Everyday, she’s in here singing ‘Freedom.’”
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What To Watch ForLess-serious rumors than the ones surrounding Beyoncé—about a potential Taylor Swift performance—have also been swirling in Chicago this week. Swift, who endorsed Biden’s 2020 campaign and has supported Democratic candidates in recent years, has yet to make an endorsement in this year’s presidential election.
TangentStevie Wonder, John Legend, Pink and country music singer Maren Morris also performed at the convention this week.
Forbes ValuationWe estimated Beyoncé’s net worth at $760 million as of May.
Further ReadingHarris is set to take the stage on the final night of the convention to accept her party’s nomination for president, following a whirlwind rise to the top of the ticket over the past month prompted by President Joe Biden’s July 21 decision to step down in the race. Harris’ candidacy has re-energized and united Democrats, who were publicly divided on whether to continue supporting Biden in the wake of his disastrous June 27 debate performance. Throughout the week, major Democrats, including former Presidents Bill Clintons and Barack Obama and First Ladies Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, have given full-throated endorsements of her presidential bid, describing her as the next generation of Democratic leadership, while also blasting former President Donald Trump.
Further ReadingWill Beyoncé Perform At DNC Tonight? Here’s What We Know As Rumors Swirl. (Forbes)
