HOUSTON — On Friday, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter addressed an enthusiastic crowd at a rally supporting Vice President Kamala Harris, emphasizing that she wasn’t there as a celebrity but as a concerned mother. “I’m not here as a celebrity. I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother,” she remarked, stressing the importance of freedom as a God-given and human right.
Even before the “Cowboy Carter” artist took the stage alongside her mother, Tina Knowles, and longtime friend Kelly Rowland, her influence was palpable throughout the venue. Fans lined up outside Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, buzzing with excitement and pride.
Harris is gearing up for a showdown with former President Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election, which is just ten days away on November 5.
Charelle Fluker, 25, expressed that she had committed to attending the rally before knowing Beyoncé would be present, aiming to support what she hopes will be the first Black female president. For 27-year-old Cassidi Williams, Beyoncé’s presence played a key role in her decision to attend, saying it made the event feel like home.
The atmosphere inside the 22,000-seat venue was electric, highlighted by a unifying “mute challenge,” where attendees fell silent during a portion of Beyoncé’s 2016 hit “Energy,” in line with the song’s theme.
Seventeen-year-old Houston native Tatiana Urdialez shared her motivation for getting her family to vote for Harris, calling the celebrity appearance an added incentive. First-time voter Haley Wyatt mirrored this sentiment, focusing on supporting the Democratic nominee while viewing Beyoncé as the “cherry on top.”
Isaiah Alston, 26, reflected on the significance of having such a star in attendance. “I’m a huge Beyoncé fan, but I think that the great win is that those who came for Beyoncé get to hear and see the impact that Kamala Harris has,” he said.
Gendered excitement was evident, with some attendees donning silver outfits as a nod to Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” era. Tina Knowles energized the audience with her remarks about her Houston pride and the importance of election participation before introducing her daughter and Rowland.
Beyoncé acknowledged the palpable energy in the room, emphasizing that it was a historic moment. She made sure to celebrate her hometown and reminded the crowd of her intent to step back as a celebrity for the evening, reiterating, “I’m not here as a celebrity. I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother.”