Irreplaceable: How Beyoncé Became a Celebrity to Celebrities
The Bey-hive is buzzing as Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour took over the world this past summer. Beyoncé is undoubtedly one of the most talented artists of our time, but how did she rise to unprecedented stardom?
By: Meron Nephtalem
Renaissance. Just the name evokes excitement.
Beyoncé dominated headlines this summer with the Renaissance World Tour. She stunned in custom silver bodysuits and bedazzled gowns. She even took over the fashion world, popularizing similar silver, Renaissance-esque clothing in stores. Beyond that, she flawlessly portrayed the electric disco and house theme of her Renaissance album, which, if you didn’t know, is deeply rooted in African-American and LGBTQ culture.
This isn’t new; in 2018, Beyoncé took Coachella by storm, becoming the first Black woman to headline the famed music festival. Her performance was so iconic that the 2018 Coachella festival went down in history nicknamed “Beychella.” If you haven’t watched Homecoming, the film about the performance (which was written, executive produced, and directed by Queen Bey herself), I strongly recommend you do. It wasn’t merely a performance. It was a movement embracing and showcasing African-American culture. The production included majorette dancers, fraternities, and an African-American marching band, all paying tribute to HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities). The intricate details of the performance contributed to its empowerment and pride of Black culture.
“I’m that girl.” Beyonce wasn’t lying.
Beyoncé’s powerful voice and vocal range make her an exceptionally talented singer. But her talents are multifaceted, ranging from dancing to designing to modeling. She truly does it all. This doesn’t even take into account the attention to detail and hard work she puts into everything, creating intricate outfits and elaborate performances—it’s tens all across the board, and it’s safe to say she is a star amongst stars.
Authenticity and inclusivity are what make Beyoncé, Beyoncé. Unlike most artists of our time, Beyoncé is inclusive: her Renaissance album included a blend of pop, disco, house, Afrobeats, gospel, and several other diverse genres of music. She not only showcased African-American culture, but she shared the stage with ballroom dancers, demonstrating her support for the LGBTQ community. She embodies authenticity. She uses cultural influence to create a new concept, like the Renaissance album and tour. Her diverse fanbase is a direct result of her inclusivity, which several modern artists fail to achieve.
Authenticity is important. We often fear standing out or being different, which shouldn’t be the case. I’m sure you’ve heard this quote: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” For me, it was a staple quote in every one of my English teacher’s classrooms throughout middle and high school. As corny as the quote is, I’ve since learned that it is actually a beneficial perspective. Though we all naturally assimilate to the people around us, it is imperative not to lose what makes us unique.
But at the end of the day, it’s Beyoncé’s world—we’re just living in it.