Rumors spread like wildfire that the Grammy-winning superstar would endorse Vice President Kamala Harris with a surprise performance at the DNC in Chicago. However, Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner, the director and executive producer of the event, clarified on Monday that Beyoncé was never scheduled to appear.
“This is the internet taking on a life of its own,” Weiss told The Hollywood Reporter. He revealed that even their own staff questioned them, believing the rumors might be true. “But she wasn’t coming,” Weiss confirmed, adding that even TMZ, which initially reported the rumor, had to issue an apology.
The speculation began when TMZ reported that Beyoncé was “getting ready to pop out,” fueling excitement among her fans, who believed she would endorse Harris in her presidential bid against former President Donald Trump. The singer’s previous political involvement, including her support for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and allowing Harris to use her song “Freedom” during the campaign, only added to the anticipation.
Kirshner expressed his confusion over how the rumor started, noting that his team consistently denied it to the media. Despite their denials, the buzz on social media continued to grow, leaving many in the Beyhive disappointed when the performance didn’t happen.
While the absence of Beyoncé was a letdown for some, the DNC was still a success, outperforming the Republican National Convention (RNC) by nearly 3 million viewers on average. The event featured other celebrities like Spike Lee, Eva Longoria, and rapper Lil Jon, who contributed to the convention’s overall success.
Kirshner addressed the absurdity of the situation by pointing out that the DNC already had the biggest star of all: the Democratic nominee for president. “Why would we overshadow that?” he asked rhetorically.
Despite the Beyoncé buzz, the convention proved to be a significant moment for the Democratic Party, showcasing their star power and solidifying their presence in the 2024 election.
