Rumors of a surprise performance from a top tier pop star swirled in the days leading up to the Democratic National Convention and reached a fever pitch in the hours before Vice President Kamala Harris’ ceremonial nomination. The rumors turned out to be just that.
Some said Taylor Swift. Even more said Beyoncé, including the celebrity website TMZ, which cited “multiple” unnamed sources, on Thursday afternoon in stating unequivocally that she was performing. Other signs appeared to back up the rumors.
Those wandering in the United Center in the afternoon heard a sound check (albeit from another singer) using her song “Cuff It.” Plus, Harris had been cleared to use Beyoncé’s 2016 song, “Freedom,” in campaign videos on social media (who rarely licenses her music).
A friend of Barack and Michelle Obama, the singer’s 2022 album “Renaissance” also featured an allusion to her disdain for former President Donald Trump: “Votin’ out 45, don’t get outta line.” Trump was the nation’s 45th president.
Taken together, hopes were high. Some delegates were spotted earlier in the day wearing rhinestone or mirrored cowboy hats, a popular accessory on the singer’s Renaissance tour. But shortly before Harris took the convention stage, both the Associated Press and the Hollywood Reporter cited DNC planners and Beyoncé’s camp separately saying the performance was never scheduled.
There was no shortage of performances from talented musicians during the convention: Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, Jason Isbell and Maren Morris performed. Thursday featured acapella performances from country band The Chicks and Pink.