All hail the queen. Beyoncé gave audiences the Christmas gift of a lifetime with her performance at the halftime show in Houston, Texas last night. The Texans went up against the Baltimore Ravens, and Queen Bey stepped into the arena to dazzle her hometown of Houston with Cowboy Carter’s debut live performance. Not only did the singer entertain fans in the arena with the same powerful energy the public has come to expect from her, she also invited celebrity guests who lent their talents to her latest album, brought her daughter onstage for a special mother/daughter moment in the spotlight, and just brought an empowering vibe to the holiday that women everywhere have been needing.
When it comes to Houston, Beyoncé was just coming home. Houston, Texas is hometown to the iconic superstar, and the place that shaped her identity when she was learning who she is, and what it means to be a human in this world. If this was her way of saying thank you to her hometown, then everyone better be nice to the Texas city that gave us our Queen Bey. She rode into her halftime show last night on horseback, fully embodying her “Cowboy Carter” identity, and the show only got more spectacular from there. Between the line dancing, the elaborate cowboy costumes made in white, and the personal touches, this halftime show was one for the books.
The most touching moment had to be when Blue Ivy, Beyoncé’s teen daughter joined her mother onstage for an elaborate line dance to “Texas Hold ‘Em”. Seeing Beyoncé take time out of her own performance to make room for her baby on stage at such a highly publicized event was a powerful moment for every mother and daughter who was tuned in to the halftime show last night. Beyoncé has never been shy about making sure her children know that she’s their mother first— let’s take a quick moment to remember the iconic photo of Queen Bey opening an apple juice for a toddler Blue Ivy at a posh event over a decade ago— and that bond between mother and daughter took center stage last night as the pair danced together on the football field. Audiences worldwide were touched to see Blue Ivy step into the spotlight alongside her momma, reminding the world that you don’t get to pick and choose which parts of Beyoncé you get. She’s a cultural icon, and she’s a mother, the two pieces of herself are inseparable from one another.
Not only did Beyoncé and Blue Ivy deliver a powerful performance that had many in their feels, she also welcomed multiple celebrity collaborators from her latest album, “Cowboy Carter”. Shaboozey and Post Malone arrived to add to the star-studded performance, bringing an energy to the field that perfectly complimented the tone that Beyoncé set for the halftime show. Beyoncé’s ability to bring people together may actually be her real talent… jk, she’s good at that, but performing is definitely where our star shines brightest.
The show in Houston last night wasn’t the first time that Beyoncé dazzled NFL audiences. It wasn’t even the second time. The singer has performed two Superbowl halftime shows, making last night’s Christmas performance her third NFL halftime mainstage event. This show was definitely unique from the others, given that she chose to focus more on her own artistry, her family, and her pride in the city of Houston. If you need further proof that this one was different, go do a quick recon run on social media. Social channels are still abuzz with enthralled viewers discussing the details almost 24 hours after her performance wrapped up!
This halftime show had it all: spectacle, heart, empowering moments, and cowboy hats (because you can’t celebrate Cowboy Carter without cowboy hats). Seeing Beyoncé’s enduring legacy grow in real time as Blue Ivy continues to share her mother’s spotlight is a testament to the power the singer has found in her own motherhood, and a beacon of strength for mothers everywhere looking to show their own daughters what it means to be a strong woman. Houston may have lost the game, but after seeing the pride that Beyoncé feels for the home that shaped her, it’s safe to say they were the real winners.
