Some think rumors of Beyonce? performing at the DNC was a scheme for ratings: Here's why
This ain't Texas, ain't no Beyoncé.
That's how the Beyhive felt when Queen Bey was a no-show at this week's Democratic National Convention on Thursday night when Vice President Kamala Harris was coronated as her party's nominee for president.
Even the pop superstar's longtime publicist Yvette Noel Schure took to Instagram on Thursday to post a photo from the DNC on Instagram with a caption that read in-part, "Do not report rumors."
TMZ first sparked reports of a performance when the outlet incorrectly broke the false news before Harris' speech that Beyoncé was set to take the stage at the DNC in Chicago in a now-infamous move.
The pop superstar's 2016 track "Freedom" featuring rapper Kendrick Lamar, off her sixth album "Lemonade," is Harris' official campaign song. When Harris ended her speech Thursday night, the fan favorite song immediately played.
But folks think the rumors were just a ploy to boost Harris' convention speech, which reached around 29 million people at its peak — and the theory is uniting Democrats and Republicans.
Presidential election: Kamala Harris gets Beyonce permission to use song 'Freedom' in presidential campaign
Mitt Romney, Sean Spicer, and more add to Beyoncé at DNC commentary
The performance buzz first started when Emmy Ruiz, the Biden White House Political Director, tweeted a single emoji of a bee. Even though she put it off on her child getting ahold of her phone, it has sparked rumors across the internet.
"Sorry guys my 6 year old took my phone," she later tweeted. Then, on X, more users weighed in on the DNC performance that never came to Bey.
Short-lived Trump White House communications director and "Dancing with the Stars" alum Sean Spicer wrote on X that "the Beyoncé rumor was just a Harris ploy to inflate ratings."
One seemingly left-leaning X user wrote: "So they let the Beyoncé rumor of her performing at the DNC rock to attract more viewers. Can’t say I’m mad at the tactic," with another adding, "Hats off to the genius who planted the rumor about a surprise performance by Beyonce’ or Taylor Swift at the DNC. Instead viewers were treated to the best speech they’ll probably ever see and no doubt it changed a lot of people’s minds."
Outgoing Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, a frequent critic of former President Donald Trump, posted on X: "Contrary to fake news posts, I am not the surprise guest at the DNC tonight. My guess is that it will be Beyoncé or Taylor Swift. So disappointing, I know!" before the TMZ controversy reached a fever pitch.
CNN anchor Abby Phillip of "News Night With Abby Phillip" joked that "TMZ lost a lot of credibility tonight." The entertainment news outlet is known for breaking celebrity news first.
Later, TMZ took to X to address the incorrect reports: "To quote the great Beyonce: We gotta lay our cards down, down, down ... we got this one wrong," in reference to lyrics from the track "Texas Hold 'Em."
How many tuned in for the Democratic National Convention?
Nielsen estimates 26.2 million viewers tuned in to the final night of Democratic National Convention.
The four-day event in Chicago drew audiences of at least 20 million every day, according to event averages calculated by Nielsen, as celebrities including Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey took the stage to speak to a star-studded crowd and a sea of Democratic delegates.
On Thursday, as Harris delivered her acceptance speech, that average went up to 28.9 million, Nielsen said in a Friday press release.
Beyoncé rumors coincide with cease-and-desist notice to Trump
Beyoncé's camp previously went after the Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump for using the singer's music without consent.
According to Billboard and Rolling Stone, the singer's record label and music publisher sent a cease-and-desist notice to Trump's presidential campaign over its use of the song without approval.
Rolling Stone was first to report the news that the "Cowboy Carter" artist did not clear her song for the former president to use.
Contributing: Caché McClay, Joyce Orlando, Kinsey Crowley
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Beyoncé at DNC rumors fallout: Some think it was a ploy for ratings
