A spokesperson for Beyoncé has confirmed that the singer will not be attending the 2024 Democratic National Convention. The representative stated, “Beyoncé was never scheduled to be there,” and refuted rumors of a possible performance.
The speculation surrounding Beyoncé’s attendance at the DNC, particularly in relation to Vice President Kamala Harris’ historic presidential nomination, gained traction online in recent days. Reports earlier in the week indicated that Pink would headline the event prior to Harris’ speech. Later, Pink, who performed “What About Us” alongside her daughter Willow, was moved up in the lineup, leading to further conjecture regarding a potential surprise guest.
Although Beyoncé did not appear in person, her influence was felt at the United Center in Chicago, as her song “Freedom” was played during both the beginning and conclusion of Harris’ speech when she officially accepted the nomination. The track, originally featured in Beyoncé’s 2016 album Lemonade, was used with the singer’s permission as part of Harris’ presidential campaign. “Freedom” has emerged as a campaign anthem, recently featuring in a new ad for Harris and her running mate Tim Walz, which heralded the start of the convention.
The DNC was hosted by celebrities such as Tony Goldwyn, Ana Navarro, Mindy Kaling, and Kerry Washington, each leading one night of the four-day event. The convention featured performances by renowned artists, including Stevie Wonder, John Legend, and Patti LaBelle, and included surprise appearances, such as Oprah Winfrey urging independent voters to participate. Julia Louis-Dreyfus moderated a panel during the daytime sessions.
On the third night, John Legend and Sheila E. honored vice presidential nominee Tim Walz’s home state of Minnesota with a rendition of Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy,” celebrating the late music icon from Minneapolis. Additionally, Stevie Wonder made a surprise appearance on Wednesday, delivering a performance of “Higher Ground” and inspiring the crowd to vote for change.
Earlier in July, the Republican National Convention featured notable attendees like Hulk Hogan, Kid Rock, and Amber Rose.