The Non-Event: Why Beyoncé’s Absence at the DNC Made Sense
The False Start
The Democratic National Convention in Chicago was abuzz with excitement when TMZ announced around 7 p.m. on Thursday that Beyoncé would be performing at the event’s final night. The report was published in all caps, proclaiming "PERFORMING AT DNC’S FINAL NIGHT!!!". This news set off a frenzy of speculation, with many believing that the Queen Bey would make a special appearance. But TMZ was wrong, and so were Mitt Romney, the betting markets, and basically all of social media.
The Sobering End
Instead of a high-energy concert, Vice President Kamala Harris ended the convention by advising attendees to take seriously the task of preserving democracy and not to celebrate prematurely. It was a sobering end to a day of celebrity-centered anticipation. The Harris campaign had chosen Beyoncé’s "Freedom" as its campaign theme song, which added to the speculation that the singer would be a special guest on the night of Harris’s acceptance speech to become the party’s presidential nominee.
The Precedent Set
The convention had a precedent set by past conventions, with Stevie Wonder performing in 2008 for Barack Obama and Katy Perry in 2016 for Hillary Clinton. The footage of a marching band rehearsing Beyoncé’s songs in the arena only fueled the rumors. As I entered the United Center, I heard the rumor that Beyoncé and Jay-Z had been in Chicago for several days, and before I settled in at the arena, she had been "sighted" at O’Hare airport.
The Fever Pitch
The national anthem sung by the Chicks, with whom Beyoncé performed at the Country Music Association Awards in 2016, seemed only to reinforce the inevitability of her grand entrance. By 9 p.m., things had reached a fever pitch, with rumors spreading that Beyoncé and Taylor Swift were expected to appear onstage together in a mark of feminist solidarity, and stand with the thousands of delegates dressed in suffragist white clothing. The specificity of the rumor was astounding.
The Truth Revealed
An hour later, Beyoncé’s publicist told The Hollywood Reporter that "Beyoncé was never scheduled to be there. The report of a performance is untrue." People audibly gasped out of disappointment, while others still said they hoped she’d appear. But it makes sense that the most joyful, musical, and skillfully produced D.N.C. did not end with the festivity of a Beyoncé concert. Pink’s performance of "What About Us" was a moving, quiet, and appropriate response to the testimonies of the families affected by gun violence who preceded her.
A Message of Freedom
As the headliner for the night, Harris used her finale as a call to action and to tacitly acknowledge her more prominent campaign theme of freedom – a message that she probably hoped would carry better in her own voice. The absence of a high-octane musical performance and the omission of a Palestinian speaker, the subject of another high-stakes rumor, made clear the singular focus on Harris’s words. Harris made the argument that competence, compassion, grit, and humility were the presidential traits required for our complicated moment. "Celebrity" is missing from that list, and though there were dozens who appeared over the course of the week in Chicago, it seems like it wasn’t an accident that Harris didn’t go that route for her spotlight appearance.
Conclusion
The absence of Beyoncé at the Democratic National Convention was a non-event, and it was probably for the best. While it would have been a thrilling spectacle to behold, it would have also detracted from the message that Kamala Harris was trying to convey. The focus should have been on her words and her vision for the country, rather than on a celebrity performance. It’s a reminder that in politics, the show must go on, but it’s not always about the performers.
FAQs
Q: Was Beyoncé actually scheduled to perform at the DNC?
A: No, Beyoncé’s publicist confirmed that the report of her performance was untrue.
Q: Why did the rumors spread so quickly?
A: The rumors likely spread due to the excitement surrounding the convention and the anticipation of a major performance.
Q: What was the main theme of Kamala Harris’s speech?
A: Harris’s speech focused on the importance of competence, compassion, grit, and humility in a presidential candidate.
Q: Will Beyoncé be performing at any future political events?
A: There is no indication that Beyoncé will be performing at any future political events, but her publicist has not ruled out future performances altogether.
Q: Why did the DNC not feature a high-octane musical performance?
A: The DNC chose to focus on Kamala Harris’s words and vision for the country, rather than on celebrity performances.
