Juxtaposing Kamala Harris Event with Beyoncé: Shaping Political Narratives?

Kamala Harris speaking at a podium, crowd cheering.

Kamala Harris promised a huge event featuring Beyonce, drawing in thousands of voters who expected the super star to sing.

But when she left the stage without singing a single note, people realized they’d been conned.

At a glance:

  • Beyoncé made an appearance at a Houston rally for Kamala Harris but did not perform, despite speculation that she would.
  • The singer instead gave a heartfelt speech, encouraging attendees to vote in the 2024 presidential election.
  • Willie Nelson, the 91-year-old country legend, performed instead, which led to mixed reactions from the crowd.

On Friday, October 25, 2024, Beyoncé took the stage at a rally in her hometown of Houston, Texas, as part of Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. Despite high expectations for a musical performance, the star clarified she was there as a concerned mother, not a performer. Her speech centered on themes of unity and the importance of voting, stating, “We’re all part of something much bigger. We must vote and we need you.”

The decision not to perform drew backlash from some attendees who expected a concert. Critics on social media accused the Harris campaign of using Beyoncé’s presence to attract a crowd under false pretenses. One commentator noted, “Kamala Harris baited people with a free Beyoncé concert and then had Willie Nelson perform.”

While Beyoncé’s speech did resonate with parts of the crowd, urging them to vote and emphasizing her concern for the future, others felt let down by the lack of a performance. Harris’s campaign, however, framed the event as a success, focusing on the emotional power of Beyoncé’s words and the turnout of over 30,000 people.

Adding to the star-studded evening, Willie Nelson performed several hits, including “On the Road Again,” endorsing Harris as he declared, “Are we ready to say Madam President?”

This rally follows a series of celebrity endorsements for Harris, who has also been supported by figures like Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen. The Harris campaign continues to use influential figures in an effort to sway undecided voters and energize younger demographics, especially as early voting continues until November 1.

Why didn’t she just perform? Are Kamala’s handlers this incompetent?