Everyone’s talking about it at the Democratic Party Convention, but no one knows if it’s rumor or reality.
Beyoncé will enter the 2024 political race by performing her hit Freedom ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris’ nomination speech on Thursday night.
Advocates have tried to secure both a Beyoncé and Taylor Swift sponsorship, with more than 70,000 signing a petition from MoveOn.org asking the two stars to take action.
But it was Queen Bey who was on everyone’s lips during the four-day convention in Chicago, with one of the state Democratic Party chairs openly telling reporters she would be coming.
Of course, a Swift performance would also create a jubilant atmosphere in the convention hall, with the pop star expected to support Harris. In the past, however, people have usually waited until October.
Campaign sources, convention organizers and even a publicist for Beyoncé declined to comment, DailyMail.com said, but a source said the star’s name is on a backstage security list for Thursday night.
Beyoncé (left) during her only campaign appearance in 2016 in support of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. She and her husband Jay Z (right) held a concert in support of Clinton in Cleveland, days before the election
Vice President Kamala Harris (left) will officially accept the Democratic nomination on Thursday night. Rumors have been swirling all week that Beyoncé would perform on stage before the nomination
White House political director Emmy Ruiz teased a Beyonce performance by posting a bee emoji over X — which could stand for the Beyhive. She later posted, “Sorry guys, my 6 year old took my phone”
White House political director Emmy Ruiz also previewed a performance by Beyoncé by placing a bee emoji over the X, which could stand for the “Beyhive.”
Ruiz later posted, “Sorry guys my 6 year old took my phone.”
A guest appearance from Beyoncé would mark a hat trick for the country’s most powerful Black women throwing their support behind Harris — after former first lady Michelle Obama gave a speech Tuesday night and Oprah endorsed Harris on Wednesday.
Beyonce has already signaled her support for Harris — by allowing the vice president to use Freedom in her campaign ads and at rallies. She threatened to send a cease-and-desist order to the Trump campaign after the same song was used on Trump’s social media.
And DailyMail.com reported earlier this month that Beyoncé was planning to attend a fundraiser for the Democratic candidate.
The convention organizers already have a surprise in store: Lil Jon’s performance on behalf of Georgia during Tuesday night’s vote.
Ashley Spillane, former head of Rock the Vote and the mastermind behind the rapper’s performance, said they were able to keep it quiet because only a small circle of people knew the rapper was coming.
“He didn’t come to soundcheck the other day,” Spillane also told DailyMail.com.
Most of the artists at the convention had done a microphone check earlier in the day.
The most viral moment of the convention so far — Lil Jon’s energetic appearance during Tuesday’s musical voting — was kept a secret because only a small group of people knew about it and he didn’t go to the mic check
For example, reporters knew that James Taylor was expected to perform, but was removed from the program on the first day because the programming was too long.
It took so long that President Joe Biden’s swan song speech on the East Coast ended after midnight.
Winfrey knew attending the microphone check could ruin her surprise performance, so she spent her speech at the United Center wearing a hat, sunglasses and a face mask. The New York Times reported.
When Winfrey greeted House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, the California representative didn’t recognize her, according to Gayle King, Winfrey’s best friend at CBS.
During sound checks on Thursday, attendees and those following the convention from home hoped that the Cowboy Carter singer would grace Chicago with her presence.
A drumline played during their performance, adding to the excitement and hinting that Beyoncé might be coming.
Two white, glitter-embellished jackets were also shown on stage, leading to speculation that both Swift and Beyoncé would be in attendance.
The Democratic National Convention was much more Hollywood-friendly than its Republican counterpart, where Kid Rock and Hulk Hogan were the biggest celebrities.
Scandal star Kerry Washington is photographed during her dress rehearsal at the United Center on Thursday ahead of her evening hosting gig
Actress Eva Longoria was also spotted on stage during the sound checks on Thursday
On Thursday alone, Scandal’s Kerry Washington did her mic check.
She was spotted doing a little practice with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris’ grandnieces – Meena Harris’ daughters Leela and Amara.
“Hello, hello, I don’t want to say this part. I don’t want people to hear this part,” Washington teased during the mic check — another sign that there could be more surprise guests at the convention.
Actress Eva Longoria attended Washington’s soundcheck and then did a soundcheck herself.
Later that afternoon, Pink appeared on stage and sang her hit What About Us several times.
The Chicks are also expected to sing the national anthem on Thursday night.