Beyoncé supported Kamala Harris in Houston during a rare political appearance at a rally for the Vice President. Thousands gathered in her hometown to support Harris’ abortion rights campaign. Instead of performing, Beyoncé joined fellow Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland on stage to speak directly to a crowd of 30,000. This event marked her first public political appearance in the current election cycle, adding to her history of supporting Democratic candidates. She previously endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in 2020.
With 314 million followers on Instagram, Beyoncé wields significant influence over her audience. Her endorsement could help Harris connect with young and Black voters, who play a crucial role in this closely contested race. Other celebrities, such as Julia Roberts, Jane Fonda, Bruce Springsteen, Usher, and Lizzo, are also rallying for Harris. At the same time, Trump’s supporters include high-profile figures like Hulk Hogan, Ted Nugent, and Kid Rock.
Houston residents expressed mixed reactions to Beyoncé’s appearance. Nadira Smith, 27, appreciated her commitment to speaking out, saying it takes courage to stand by your values. Sydney Mukavetz, 25, recently moved to Houston and found celebrity presence at political rallies a little weird and confusing.
Taking the stage, Beyoncé expressed that she wasn’t there as a celebrity or a politician but as a mother, calling freedom “your God-given right.” She then welcomed Harris, who walked on to Beyoncé’s song “Freedom” from her Lemonade album. The two shared a long embrace before Harris continued with the rally.
As Beyoncé supported Kamala Harris the polls show a tight race, but Harris holds a significant lead among women voters, a demographic that aligns with Beyoncé’s fan base. A recent poll shows Harris ahead of Trump by 13 points among women voters. Communications expert Melvin L. Williams noted that candidates can use celebrity endorsements to reach new audiences, but victory isn’t guaranteed.
