Beyonce performed for the first time since her husband Jay-Z was accused of rape when she took the stage during Netflix’s first broadcast of NFL games.
The iconic singer rode in on a horse to start her set and stood next to daughter Blue Ivy in her hometown of Houston during halftime of the game between the Texans and Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day.
Her appearance comes in the wake of a lawsuit accusing Beyoncé’s husband Jay-Z and disgraced rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs of raping a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in New York in 2000.
Jay-Z strongly denied the allegations, and an attorney for Diddy, who is currently awaiting trial and behind bars on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution, also denied the allegations.
It was her first performance since she last took the stage in October 2023 to conclude her highly successful Renaissance World Tour at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
Netflix promised some special guest appearances and Beyonce was joined on stage by Shaboozey and Post Malone early in her performance.
Beyonce took the stage for the first time since her husband Jay-Z was accused of rape
Beyonce rode in on a white horse during halftime of the game between the Texans and Ravens
Despite her husband’s lawsuit, Beyonce is reportedly still planning to continue her upcoming stadium world tour.
On Monday, a source close to the Texas Hold Em singer told The Sun that she will announce her next set of shows in a few weeks – and they say it will kick off in March in Los Angeles.
The insider revealed: ‘It’s been a tough few months for Beyoncé, but she’s extremely focused on making her upcoming tour a success.
‘The next few weeks are crucial as she will announce a new album and tour. The announcement was supposed to happen a few weeks ago but was postponed,” the source continued.
They added: “Despite Jay-Z being adamant in his denials and the accusations being completely false, people are aware that mud can stick.”
“Online chatter claims Beyoncé and Jay-Z have lost their power couple status, but Beyoncé is ready to remind the world why she’s one of the best,” the source claimed.
The show also marked the first time Beyoncé performed songs from her latest album, Cowboy Carter, live.
Beyonce, who has performed at two Super Bowls in her career, had several “special guests” from her Cowboy Carter album on stage, as previously revealed by Netflix.
Just weeks ago, 55-year-old Jay-Z fired back at the rape accusation, dismissing it in a statement as “idiotic.”
In a subsequent post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the rapper explained how the accusation will not only affect his career, but also his position as a father. In response, he said he had to sit down his children – Blue Ivy, 12, and twins Rumi and Sir, seven – to formally explain the matter.
Her appearance comes in the wake of allegations that Jay-Z raped a 13-year-old girl in 2000
“My wife and I will have to sit down our children, one of whom is at the age when her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people,” he claimed. . ‘I mourn yet another loss of innocence.
“Children should not have to experience this at a young age,” he continued. “It is unfair to have to try to understand the inexplicable level of malice intended to destroy families and the human spirit.
“My heart and support go out to real victims in the world who have to watch their life stories being costumed for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit,” Jay-Z wrote in the lengthy statement.
Beyonce’s upcoming album will be her ninth studio album. She has yet to officially confirm the release of a new record and tour.
Netflix’s NFL debut aired to the platform’s 282.3 million subscribers in more than 190 countries, marking the first time one outlet distributed a game globally.
The games are the first in a three-year deal for Netflix, which also has one game each in 2025 and ’26. Netflix will pay $150 million for the package this year.
More to follow.