HOUSTON, TX – It was a searing hot – but unsubstantiated – rumor during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago two months ago.
Speculation that Beyoncé would appear at the Democrats’ presidential nominating convention – perhaps alongside Taylor Swift – turned into a frenzy.
It didn’t happen.
But on Friday night, in front of a massive announced crowd of 30,000 at a soccer stadium in downtown Houston, the superstar singer and cultural icon returned to her hometown to make an appearance on behalf of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Beyoncé, whose hit song “Freedom” has been adopted by the vice president as her campaign trail anthem, spoke ahead of Harris and introduced her at the event, which leaned heavily into reproductive rights.
Musical artist Beyoncé, right, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, left, embrace on stage during a campaign rally Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Annie Mulligan) ((AP Photo/Annie Mulligan)
“It’s time for America to sing a new song,” Beyoncé said as she formally endorsed the vice president in her White House race against former President Trump. “Ladies and gentlemen, please give a big, loud, Texas welcome to the next President of the United States, Vice President Kamala Harris.”
And she emphasized that “I’m not here as a celebrity, I’m not here as a politician, I’m here as a mother. A mother who cares deeply about the world my children and all of our children live in. A world where we have the freedom to control our bodies.”
Harris, who has made the issue of reproductive rights a centerpiece of her presidential campaign, took aim at the Lone Star State’s extremely restrictive abortion law. And the rally included speeches by a number of people adversely impacted by the state ban.
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Reproductive rights have been a winning issue for Democrats ever since the conservative majority on the Supreme Court in the summer of 2022 overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, which had legalized abortion for decades.
Harris reiterated her message that Trump, who named three conservative justices to the high court during his four years in the White House, is responsible for the abortion law in Texas, where the procedure is banned after six weeks of pregnancy.
Musical artists Beyoncé, right, and Kelly Rowland, left, on stage at a campaign event for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in Houston, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Beyoncé, who was introduced by her mother, fashion designer and philanthropist Tina Knowles, was joined on stage by singer and actress Kelly Rowland, her Destiny’s Child bandmate.
“H-Town. We are so happy to be standing here on this stage as proud Texan women supporting and celebrating the one and only Vice President Kamala Harris. A woman who has been pushing for what this country really needs right now,” Beyoncé said.
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And Rowland, standing next to Beyoncé, noted that “Houston, you’ve already had a hand in creating destiny, so do what you do and do this thing again.”
While Beyoncé was the biggest celebrity on the stage, the rally included another icon.
Texas native and legendary singer, songwriter and guitarist Willie Nelson performed earlier in the evening.
Musician Willie Nelson performing ahead of an event for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at a rally in Houston, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Introduced as a “Texas voter,” the 91-year-old Nelson asked the crowd are “we ready to say, Madam President.”
Actress and entrepreneur Jessica Alba spoke earlier during the rally. The Harris campaign said the crowd was the largest yet at one of the vice president’s rallies.
It was the second straight night that Harris had the support of major celebrities.
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At a rally in suburban Atlanta where she teamed up with former President Obama, rock legend Bruce Springsteen – who has been supporting Democratic presidential candidates for two decades – performed three songs.
Bruce Springsteen performs at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Clarkston, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Also speaking at the vice president’s rally, which her campaign said attracted 23,000 people, were filmmaker and playwright Tyler Perry, film director, producer, screenwriter and actor Spike Lee, and actor Samuel L. Jackson.
Trump, who was in Texas earlier on Friday, took aim at Harris.
“Today she’s in Texas to rub shoulders with woke celebrities,” the former president charged as he spotlighted the issue of immigration and border security at an event in Austin.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a news conference at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
It was a similar message from Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley, who also criticized Harris for campaigning with celebrities.
Whatley argued that “Harris’ refusal to acknowledge the border crisis she created is one of many reasons why Texas is firmly Trump Country – Kamala Harris broke the southern border, but President Trump will fix it.”