Tina Knowles, Beyoncé’s mother, took to Instagram over the weekend to shut down claims that her daughter was paid $10 million to appear at a recent rally in Houston for Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign. The rumors, which gained traction after being shared by conservative commentator Candace Owens, suggested that the pop icon received a sizable paycheck for endorsing Harris—a claim that Knowles swiftly refuted as “fake news.”
Knowles clarified the situation in her post, stating that Beyoncé didn’t receive a cent for her speech at the event. In fact, Knowles revealed, Beyoncé covered all her expenses herself, including flights and accommodations for her team. “They are not only lying and disrespecting Beyoncé’s name, but they are trying to further discredit the power of our Vice President!” she wrote, pushing back on what she views as a larger agenda to undermine Harris’s campaign.
Beyoncé’s appearance at the October 26 rally marked a heartfelt show of support. As a native of Houston, she addressed the crowd not as a celebrity, but as a mother concerned about the future. “I’m here as a mother…a mother who cares deeply about the world my children and all of our children live in, a world where we have the freedom to control our bodies,” she said.
Her speech underscored the need for action on issues like women’s reproductive rights, which she argued are under threat in Texas. The singer’s rallying call concluded with an introduction of Harris, whom she enthusiastically called “the next president of the United States,” drawing applause from the audience.
This isn’t the first time Beyoncé has signaled her support for Harris. She gave an early nod to the Vice President’s campaign back in July by allowing Harris to use her 2016 anthem “Freedom” as her campaign song. Harris first played the track at her campaign headquarters in Delaware, setting a powerful tone for her run.
Beyoncé has shown a clear stance on the political front, especially in light of Texas’s strict abortion laws, which she addressed during the rally. With infant mortality rates rising and maternal health outcomes worsening in the state since abortion restrictions were enacted, Beyoncé’s message of empowerment and unity was particularly resonant.
Interestingly, the rally marks a shift from her approach in 2016, when she actively performed at rallies, notably taking the stage in support of Hillary Clinton. This time, Beyoncé opted for a speech instead, focusing on urging voters to participate in shaping a future for their children without “ceilings” and “limitations.”
Meanwhile, Beyoncé’s presence on the campaign trail hasn’t been her only headline-grabbing moment. She’s set to bring her star power to the NFL this Christmas with a halftime performance during the Texans vs. Ravens game, which will be the first NFL game to stream on Netflix.
In a promo for the event, Beyoncé is seen donning a patriotic red, white, and blue dress while catching a football atop a rose-adorned car, teasing what fans anticipate will be a dazzling show at NRG Stadium in Houston.
