VIEWERS of the Democratic National Convention were 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.
The Angry Staffer, a political account on X run by a former White House staffer, also 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 denied 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.
DNC highlights...
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.
Talks swirled all week on whether Beyoncé or Taylor Swift would make an appearance at the event.
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.
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."
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.
Beyoncé permitted Vice President Kamala Harris to use her song, Freedom, featuring Kendrick Lamar, on the campaign trail.
The song, featured on her 2016 album Lemonade, has been used for various political and social movements in the past.
The song, which features a mix of blues, gospel, and R&B genres, has been met with critical acclaim and commercial success.
It was previously used as an anthem for the 2020 George Floyd protests.
Following Harris' use of the single in 2024, it had a 1,300% rise in streaming.
On July 25, Harris launched a digital ad in support of her candidacy that featured the song.
Political candidates often use music to offer insight into their campaign, character, and beliefs.
Choosing a song from a notable Black female artist is especially paramount for Harris, who is making history as the first Black woman and first person of South Asian descent to run for president.
While Freedom is not necessarily one of Beyoncé's biggest hits, the song's powerful message conveys a sense of urgency.
The song incorporates a textual reference to Wade in the Water, a spiritual, which was created and sung by African Americans in slavery.
"I'ma wade, I'ma wave through the waters / Tell the tide, 'Don't move'" Beyoncé sings, in reference to the spiritual.
"Singin', freedom / Freedom / Where are you? / 'Cause I need freedom, too / I break chains all by myself," is another choice set of lyrics that relate directly to Harris, who herself is breaking boundaries in her historic run for office.
At the time of its release, Freedom was one of Beyoncé's most politically explicit songs ever recorded.
The video also paid tribute to several Black women, including Sybrina Fulton, Gwen Carr, Lezley McSpadden, and Wanda Johnson, whose sons, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, and Oscar Grant III, had been killed in racially charged, or racially-motivated, violent attacks.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump notably tried using the song on August 20, when a spokesperson from his campaign featured a snippet of the lyrics over a video showing Trump's arrival for a rally in Michigan.
Beyoncé's record label and music publisher immediately sent Trump a cease-and-desist for using the song without permission.
"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."
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."
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has rattled the Democratic Party after being named Kamala Harris' running mate in the presidential election.
Harris praised Walz for work in the Army National Guard, as a teacher, and as a high school football coach but the 60-year-old is also an avid music lover.
During his tenure as governor, Walz has signed several music-related bills and proclamations to celebrate beloved artists such as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, and Prince.
March 5, 2023, was declared Bruce Springsteen Day in Minnesota to honor the 20-time Grammy Award winner.
He similarly declared June 23 and 24, 2023 as Taylor Swift Days to commemorate the singer's Eras Tour dates at the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
He humorously shared a photo of his cat, Afton, who appeared upset after "being online all day and not getting Taylor Swift tickets."
Walz also signed House File 1989 - referring to Swift's birth year and fifth album.
The law requires ticket sellers to be transparent about all fees related to any ticket purchased in Minnesota or for an event held in the state.
Ahead of Beyoncé's performance at Huntington Bank Stadium, Walz made July 20, 2023, Beyoncé Day.
"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."
Using purple ink, Walz signed a bill into law that renamed a portion of Truck Highway 5 to the Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway in honor of the Purple Rain singer.
"I think we can lay to rest that this is the coolest bill signing we'll ever do," said the governor, per CBS News.
"I for one am just incredibly grateful to be a part of this celebration. But like so many Minnesotans, I'm just proud that Prince called Minnesota home."
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."
Grammy award winner Pink performed an acoustic version of her song What About Us.
Pink, real name Alecia Beth Hart Moore, has said the song describes her disappointment and disillusionment with the government following the 2016 election.
She performed alongside her daughter, Willow Sage Hart, bringing many viewers to tears.
"How wonderful for her to put her daughter Willow onstage and how empowering for Willow!" wrote one person on X.
"Pink and her daughter Willow sound amazing!" wrote another person.
The performance came after a panel on gun violence, including a Sandy Hook teacher and Kim Rubio, whose daughter Lexi was murdered at the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
"Parents everywhere reach for their children," said Rubio.
"I reach out for the daughter I will never hold again."
