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Renaissance tour: Beyoncé’s three-night run at SoFi Stadium was a ridiculously star-studded affair

Beyoncé raises a cowboy hat in the air and sings into a microphone while lying backward on a translucent horse.
Beyoncé has embarked on her highly anticipated Renaissance world tour.
(Carlijn Jacobs)
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Who run the world? Beyoncé, of course.

In May, the megastar embarked on her five-month Renaissance world tour.

In January, the “Break My Soul” hitmaker unveiled dates for her first solo tour in more than six years. Named after her Grammy-winning seventh studio album, Beyoncé’s highly anticipated Renaissance tour launched May 11 in Stockholm, and it’s set to conclude Sept. 27 in New Orleans.

“Y’all make me so happy,” the “Cuff It” singer said during opening night at Stockholm’s Friends Arena.

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“I see familiar faces, people that flew from very, very far to come see the first show tonight. Y’all could be anywhere in the world, but you chose to be here with me. And I’m here with you, and I love you, and I’m so filled with gratitude.”

Beyoncé has launched her Renaissance tour in Sweden. The three-hour show was a spectacle-filled production, but fans were hung up on a potential snag.

Before tickets even went on sale, Ticketmaster reported that demand for the Renaissance tour had “drastically” exceeded supply. According to Beyoncé’s website, the majority of her upcoming shows have sold out, prompting some dedicated members of the Beyhive to travel to other countries and continents just to see their queen.

Beyoncé’s 37-song set list spans her two-decade career. The three-hour show includes all 16 tracks from “Renaissance,” as well as classics such as “Dangerously in Love” and “Run the World (Girls).” While on the road, the 41-year-old entertainer has continued to dazzle concertgoers with frequent costume changes and elaborate production designs featuring silver moon rovers and an inflatable horse.

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Toward the end of her Renaissance era, Beyoncé is scheduled to play Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara (Aug. 30) and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood (Sept. 1, 2 and 4). Here’s a sampling of viral moments from the tour so far.

SoFi Stadium shows pack some serious star power

Who attended Beyoncé’s three-night stand at SoFi Stadium? More like who didn’t.

A stunning array of stars came out to see the performer in Inglewood, where she celebrated her 42nd birthday in style. Prince Harry and Meghan, LeBron James, Blackpink’s Jennie — figures from all corners of the entertainment industry gathered in Los Angeles over the weekend to see Queen Bey (and Blue Ivy!).

Heck, Diana Ross even joined Beyoncé onstage to surprise and serenade the superstar for her birthday during her final SoFi performance. Here’s a sampling of celebs spotted at the stadium during Beyoncé’s takeover.

  • Adele
  • Hailey Bieber
  • Justin Bieber
  • Timothée Chalamet
  • Lana Condor
  • Jesse Tyler Ferguson
  • Tiffany Haddish
  • Harry, Duke of Sussex
  • Tom Holland
  • LeBron James
  • Lizzo
  • Jay-Z
  • Kendall Jenner
  • Kris Jenner
  • Kylie Jenner
  • Jennie of Blackpink
  • Khloé Kardashian
  • Kim Kardashian
  • Brie Larson
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
  • Offset
  • Naomi Osaka
  • Keke Palmer
  • Pedro Pascal
  • Sarah Paulson
  • Tyler Perry
  • Issa Rae
  • Diana Ross
  • Tracee Ellis Ross
  • Kelly Rowland
  • Maya Rudolph
  • RZA
  • Robin Thede
  • Gabrielle Union
  • Sofía Vergara
  • Kerry Washington
  • Zendaya
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Beyoncé sets a shiny dress code ahead of her birthday

You won’t break my soul, nor Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” dress code.

Heading into the final weeks of her tour, the “Alien Superstar” singer told her Beyhive that she wants them to dress for her upcoming 42nd birthday on Sept. 4.

“Virgo season is upon us,” she wrote on her website.

“This tour has been such a joy and as we approach the last month, my birthday wish is to celebrate with you wearing your most fabulous silver fashions to the shows 8.23 - 9.22,” the message continued.

That means fans seeing Bey in Arizona, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Seattle and Houston should conjure up shiny, disco-inspired looks — if they haven’t already. Think silver, sequins and reflective material. Concertgoers can always look to the “Renaissance” album art for inspiration.

“We’ll surround ourselves in a shimmering human disco ball each night,” she wrote. “Everybody mirroring each other’s joy. Virgo season together in the House of Chrome. See you there!”

Fans shelter in place during extreme weather delay

Concertgoers were ordered to shelter in place at FedEx Field in Maryland as extreme weather delayed Beyoncé’s Aug. 6 show by nearly two hours.

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According to NBC4 Washington, the seasoned pro still performed — sometimes amid a torrential downpour — after the shelter-in-place order was lifted that night. Thousands of fans were eventually rewarded after waiting through the intense heat, storms and lightning to see their idol live.

“Beyoncé in the rain was truly life changing,” one person tweeted after the show.

“Even the rain couldn’t stop Beyoncé’s lethal walk,” tweeted another.

“Baby Beyoncé performed in the rain and all!!!” a third person wrote. “Floor was slippery and she still showed out!!!!”

Beyoncé’s production team also paid $100,000 to keep Metro trains running late so that fans could get home safely after the delayed concert concluded, NBC4 Washington reported.

Erykah Badu spotlit over Lizzo on ‘The Queens Remix’

“About Damn Time” singer Lizzo — one of the many powerhouses whose name was written into Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul (The Queens Remix)” — was left out of Bey’s performance of the song during her Aug. 1 stop in Boston. The omission came hours after news broke that three of Lizzo’s former dancers filed a lawsuit against the body-positive singer alleging sexual harassment and hostile working conditions.

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While some saw the oversight as a diss, others saw it as a way for Bey to address perceived drama between her and “On & On” singer Erykah Badu. Bey repeated “Badu” during the song — four times — in lieu of the remix’s original lyrics, “Badu, Lizzo, Kelly Rowl.”

On July 30, Badu called out the “Church Girl” singer for allegedly copying her signature look on the tour.

“Hmm.... ,” the “Bag Lady” singer wrote over a photo of Bey in a tall, wide-brimmed hat, “I guess I’m everybody’s stylist.”

Beyoncé has paid tribute to O’Shae Sibley, the professional dancer who was stabbed in New York over the weekend after vogueing to one of her songs.

Beyoncé gets a visit from Madonna and Oprah

Beyoncé’s July 30 concert in New Jersey was a night of one-name wonders.

In footage from the show, none other than Madonna can be seen enjoying the performance from her VIP box at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. The legendary pop musician even got a shout-out from Bey, who paid homage to the “Queen Mother” while performing the “Queen’s Remix” of “Break My Soul,” which was influenced by Madonna’s “Vogue.”

Beyoncé shared her love for Madonna during a show while the ‘Queen Mother’ was in the crowd, alongside Oprah Winfrey and Tina Knowles-Lawson.

“Big shout-out to the Queen! Queen Mother, Madonna, we love you!” Beyoncé said during the performance.

Also in attendance that evening was media mogul Oprah Winfrey (often referred to as just Oprah). The famous talk-show host danced the night away with her journalist pal Gayle King and Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles-Lawson.

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“I have never in my life experienced something as transcendent as @beyonce’s Renaissance Tour,” Winfrey wrote on Instagram after the show.

“That kind of talent, synergy, expression, and anointing is something that comes straight from a Source that creates the planets. The dancers, the production, the musicians, and the team in front and behind the scenes, all perfectly align to create a renaissance in today’s world. You must see it.”

Zendaya and Tom Holland are couple goals

The internet’s favorite Hollywood couple, Tom Holland and Zendaya, were drunk in love at Beyoncé’s June 27 concert in Warsaw.

Concert footage of the “Spider-Man” co-stars singing along to Bey’s performance of “Love on Top” has gone viral on social media, amassing more than 4 million views on TikTok alone.

In the videos, the “Crowded Room” actor and the “Euphoria” star can be seen dancing and singing the chorus of the song (“Baby it’s you / You’re the one I love / You’re the one I need / You’re the only one I see”) to each other with giant smiles on their faces.

“If we ain’t vibin’ like this , I don’t want it,” one person commented on TikTok.

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“This is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” another person wrote.

“WHEN. IS. IT. GONNA. BE. MY. TURN,” a third person commented.

Backup dancer saves the day

While performing the hit single “Break My Soul” in Hamburg, Germany, on June 21, one of Beyoncé’s backup dancers smoothly and discreetly averted a potential wardrobe malfunction.

In footage from the concert, one-half of the dance duo Les Twins swiftly positions himself in front of Beyoncé (to shield her from the audience’s view) and delicately places her left hand over her left breast, which appeared to be in danger of slipping out of her skintight, pink dress. The blink-and-you’ll-miss it maneuver lasted less than four seconds, with neither the singer nor the dancer missing a beat.

On social media, scores of Beyoncé fans praised the dancer for his tact and professionalism.

“The professionalism, the slickness, the simplicity in his movement placing her own hand where she needed to cover! too good,” one TikTok user commented.

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“Now that is talent,” another person wrote. “That he saw something happening and didn’t miss a beat while performing and allowed her to fix it. Love Les Twins.”

Beyoncé spotlights Black designers in honor of Juneteenth

During her June 18 show in Amsterdam, Beyoncé wore costumes “created exclusively” by Black fashion designers in honor of Juneteenth, she announced on Instagram.

Her wardrobe for the concert included designs by Feben, Maximilian Davis for Ferragamo, Olivier Rousteing for Balmain, Ibrahim Kamara for Off-White, LaQuan Smith and, of course, Beyoncé for Ivy Park, according to Vogue.

Among the standout looks were a reflective silver bodysuit and matching thigh-high boots by Rousteing; a bedazzled, ruby-red gown, as well as a sparkly, red, white and gold bodysuit by Davis; a baggy red bodysuit and sparkly thigh-high boots by Kamara; and a Barbie-pink halter dress with elbow-length gloves from Beyoncé’s Ivy Park collection.

“I started designing this collection over a year ago,” Beyoncé wrote on Instagram. “I was so engulfed in all things RENAISSANCE and was inspired by Studio 54, Bob Mackie and the disco era. I wanted to do a modern twist using the signature IVY PARK neon and bring disco to the beach in this swim collection.

“I’m so happy to share this with you and even more proud to launch it for the first time on the RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR. I’m proud to be among the very talented Black designers featured in last night’s show to celebrate Juneteenth.”

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‘My Power’ gets a streaming boost from Blue Ivy

“My Power”? More like Blue Ivy’s power.

Streams for Beyoncé’s empowerment anthem from the “Lion King” soundtrack have skyrocketed since the 11-year-old Grammy winner started performing the song alongside her mom on the Renaissance tour.

The week of May 26 — the day Blue Ivy made her Renaissance tour debut as one of Beyoncé’s backup dancers in Paris — on-demand streaming for “My Power” increased by 190%. The following week, U.S. streams spiked by 111.2% as Blue Ivy continued to join her mom onstage during that part of the show, according to music database Luminate.

Globally, streams for “My Power” jumped by 218.2% the first week and an additional 105.6% the second week.

Analysts have also noticed an uptick in the song’s digital sales, which have risen by more than 180% domestically and more than 210% globally in recent weeks.

“My beautiful first born,” Beyoncé captioned Instagram photos of her daughter performing the choreography to “My Power” on tour.

“I’m so proud and thankful to be your mama. You bring us so much joy, my sweet angel.”

All hail Beyoncé, queen of the side-eye

Somebody please check on the concertgoer who was on the receiving end of Beyoncé’s world-famous side-eye at a recent Renaissance tour show.

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One (un)lucky fan became the target of Queen Bey’s withering gaze after loudly singing along to the opening verse of “I Care” from the album “4.” And another captured the moment in concert footage that has gone viral on social media.

In the clip, an audience member can be heard shouting the lyrics to “I Care” over Beyoncé, who appears to briefly but pointedly shoot a look in their direction from the stage. The video has been shared widely on Twitter, where the BeyHive has had a field day dissecting the singer’s facial expression.

“Beyoncé was 3 seconds away from telling him to cool it down i’m crying,” @beyoncegarden tweeted.

“I’m crying she like this a solo,” @yofancy_kayy tweeted.

“THE VIRGO LOOK,” @yespriest tweeted.

Several deemed the look “bombastic side-eye,” referring to a TikTok trend reserved for only the shadiest of occasions.

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“There’s a man who was at Beyoncé’s concert screaming his lungs out she got so distracted by the screaming she said ‘bombastic side eye,’” tweeted @AppleMokoena.

“Not Beyoncé giving them the bombastic side eye,” tweeted @ViDoubleNie.

Beyoncé pays tribute to Tina Turner

During her May 26 concert in Paris, Beyoncé took a moment to honor legendary performer Tina Turner, who died May 24 following a long illness. The “Proud Mary” and “What’s Love Got to Do With It” singer was 83.

“If you’re a fan of mine, you’re a fan of Tina Turner,” Beyoncé told the crowd in France.

“I wouldn’t be on this stage without Tina Turner. So I want you guys to just scream so she can feel your love. I feel so blessed that I was alive to witness her brilliance.”

At a subsequent concert in London, Beyoncé covered the 1966 Ike and Tina Turner track “River Deep Mountain High.”

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Grammy-winning Tina Turner was a rock ’n’ roll original with her high-octane, powerful yet soulful voice and iconic hairstyles.

This wasn’t the first time Bey has paid homage to the queen of rock ’n’ roll. In 2005, the Destiny’s Child breakout performed a showstopping tribute to Turner at the Kennedy Center Honors before joining her musical hero onstage for a duet of “Proud Mary” at the 50th Grammy Awards.

Shortly after Turner’s death was announced, Beyoncé said in a statement on her website that she was “so grateful for [her] inspiration and all the ways [she] paved the way.”

Blue Ivy steals the show

The audience erupted in cheers on May 26 when Beyoncé brought out her 11-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, to dance with her onstage in Paris.

Dressed in a shiny silver costume and trendy sunglasses, the eldest child of Beyoncé and Jay-Z didn’t miss a beat while performing the choreography for “My Power” and “Black Parade” alongside her mom and the professional backup dancers.

Concert tickets to Beyoncé’s forthcoming Renaissance tour were auctioned off at her mother and stepfather’s Wearable Art Gala on Saturday.

After the show, Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Lawson, had a proud-grandma moment on Instagram — where she shared a video of the crowd chanting Blue Ivy’s name at the end of her surprise performance.

“Last night I saw my beautiful grandbaby (11) dance in the front of almost 70 thousand people !” Lawson wrote. “She killed it and was as cool as a cucumber! ... No Fear.”

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Celebrities abound

The U.S. leg of Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour isn’t scheduled to begin until July, but several American celebrities have already traveled abroad to see their fellow entertainer in Europe.

Among the famous faces who have been spotted at Bey’s Renaissance concerts so far are Selena Gomez, Pharrell Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Natalie Portman, Lenny Kravitz, Kesha and Kylie Jenner — as well as the headliner’s husband, Jay-Z, and her “Savage” collaborator Megan Thee Stallion.

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