Beyoncé endorses Kamala Harris at Houston rally, but doesn't perform

HOUSTON - The wait was almost over.

Yes, it's still 11 days until the election. We're talking about Beyoncé.

Kamala Harris supporters waited for more than 12 hours to see the superstar at a Houston rally Friday night. Instead of hearing the superstar sing "Freedom," which is now inextricably connected to Harris' campaign through her first campaign video ad and which is blared at rallies, they listened as Beyoncé gave a moving endorsement for the presidential candidate.

"I'm not here as a celebrity. I'm not here as a politician," Beyoncé said, standing on stage in a black tailored suit next to Kelly Rowland, a member of Destiny's Child. "I'm here as a mother, a mother who cares about the world our children live in, a world where we have the freedom to control our bodies, a world where we are not divided, our past or present or future."

The Houston native and mother of three spoke about reproductive rights. "Imagine our daughters growing up seeing what’s possible with no ceilings, no limitations,” she said.

"It's time for America to sing a new song," she said.

"Let's do this. Ladies and gentlemen, give a big, loud Texas welcome to the next president of the United States, vice president Kamala Harris," Beyoncé said to a roaring crowd, dotted with pastel cowboy hats, while she shared the stage with Kelly Rowland from Destiny's Child.

People had lined up outside the Shell Energy Stadium, best known as the city's soccer stadium, several hours before the show. Um, we mean, rally. At times the stadium did feel more concert than rally with light up bracelets and a DJ.

While some supporters were disappointed that Beyoncé didn't perform, and instead the only live performance was from 91-year-old Willie Nelson, most said they were there for Harris. Hearing Beyoncé endorse the presidential candidate was just a bonus. They were treated to a Beyoncé playlist as the rally wrapped up and Harris met with supporters and took photos.

Kelly Rowland and her 'sister' Beyoncé take the stage

"We are writing a new American story ... of kindness and hope," Rowland said, endorsing Harris, just before Beyoncé began talking about Harris.

Tina Knowles, Beyoncé's mom, introduces Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland

It's not Harris. Not Beyoncé. But the creator of Beyoncé might be the next best thing.

"Houston you showed up and you showed out," Tina Knowles said. She endorsed Harris just after Harris announced her run.

"I've been so blessed in my life to have many careers, many black jobs," she said, to lots of laughter. "

She introduced Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland to the stage.

DJ tries to excite crowd as they wait for Beyoncé

The stadium went from Johnny Kemp's "Just got Paid," to "Pour it Up" by Rihanna as people awaited Kamala Harris, or Beyoncé, as DJ Tryfe says a few people have passed out. He calls for "Put your hands up," and the atmosphere is that of a wedding reception in a suburban convention center. The music goes from Shaboozey's "A Bar Song" to Queen's "We Will Rock You." The crowd seems to not know to cheer or, wait, now it's NSync. Dance?

Will the next song give a clue to who is next?

Madame President, says Willie Nelson

"Are we ready to sing Madame President?" Willie Nelson asked as he sat down to sing "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys."

Nelson, 91, led the crowd in a singalong as he waved to audience members, and sometimes cupped his hand to his ear to encourage more singing.

He moved swiftly to "On the Road Again," in his signature braid and headband before heading off stage to cheers.

Will he come back to sing with Beyoncé from her newest album? Or are we asking for too much?

Jessica Alba opens Kamala Harris rally

Jessica Alba, the actress and founder of The Honest Company opened the Harris rally, with a plea for working for reproductive rights. She drew on her Mexican-American values, saying Harris embodies her same values. "We all know we need the hopeful path," she said.

"Going back is not an option," she said. "She wants y'all to thrive."

Kamala Harris' motorcade spotted

No one has seen Harris - or Beyoncé - but the vice president's motorcade received cheers. Harris’ motorcade arrived to the stadium at 7:01 pm CT. But as of 7:15 p.m. CT, Harris has not come out on stage and programming hasn’t started yet. Cue the DJ for a while longer.

Rebecca Morin via pool report

Kamala Harris rally feels more like a concert than campaign event

The stadium felt more like a concert than a rally. At 7 p.m. CT, the lights turned down as the crowd swag surfed. Attendees are wearing light up bracelets often seen at concerts like Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour or Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. Before signing of for the night, DJ had a single question for the crowd: Are you ready for Vice President Kamala Harris and Beyoncé?” The crowd cheered.

Rebecca Morin

Beyoncé's mute challenge takes over Shell stadium

Attendees joined together for an epic rally version of the "mute challenge," pausing in unison as the DJ played Beyoncé's viral hit, "Energy" from her 2022 album "Renaissance."

Cache McClay

Beyoncé medley blares as Kamala Harris supporters wait

Two hours before the rally was set to begin, the DJ inside Shell stadium began playing a Beyoncé medley as attendees lined into the rally. “I would never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never let you go,” the crowd rang out as the DJ played Beyoncé’s “Before I Let Go.” The stands are about 75 percent full. A large electronic sign that switches from slogans that say “Trust Women” and “Reproductive Freedom” is in between a U.S. flag and Texas flag.

Rebecca Morin

Leonardo DiCaprio endorses Kamala Harris

Before Beyoncé even took the stage, Harris gained another fan.

In a video posted to his Instagram account, Leonardo DiCaprio said: “Climate change is killing the earth and ruining our economy, we need a bold step forward to save our economy, our planet and ourselves. That’s why I’m voting for Kamala Harris.”

Beyoncé is the bonus at the Kamala Harris rally

Has Beyoncé ever been considered the opening act? The second draw?

For 18-year-old Abbie Ha, this election will be her first. And she said she’s voting for Kamala Harris.Ha, a first-year student at Rice University, said she grew up in a suburb of Dallas — a community that was more conservative and didn’t often have “a lot of policies that advocated for minorities.”Ha, who first heard about the rally on her college campus, said she didn’t know Beyoncé was expected to perform until after she already reserved her ticket.“That was like an extra bonus for sure,” Ha said.

Haley Wyatt, 19, is a first time voter, who currently attends Texas Southern University. She says she came to the rally along with her friend for the democratic nominee who they hope will be the first Black female president. However, Wyatt  says the “Cowboy Carter” creator is just the “cherry on top."

Rebecca Morin and Cache McClay

Has anyone seen Beyoncé at the Harris rally?

It's not that Harris supporters aren't Beyoncé fans. It's just that many of them signed up for tickets to the Harris rally before Queen Bey was announced as a performer. There was no sign of the singer as people filled the stadium and excitement for Harris grew.

Houston resident Joel Avendano, 40, first heard about the rally earlier this week through social media and lives down the street from Shell Energy Stadium. For him, it was a no brainer to attend.While Avendano said he heard the rumors that Beyoncé was to perform, he is skeptical that it could happen after the reports that she was supposed to perform at the Democratic National Convention over the summer — and didn’t.Either way, it doesn’t matter to him.“I’m here for Kamala,” he said.

Rebecca Morin

What celebrities are supporting Kamala Harris?

While Beyoncé hasn't officially endorsed Harris, performing at her rally makes it seem obvious.

She will join many celebrities who already have thrown their support behind Harris including: Taylor Swift, Oprah, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jennifer Lopez, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Jessica Parker, Billie Eilish, Jennifer Aniston and more.

A recent poll shows that celebrity endorsement don't appear to have much influence in politics, and could even hurt a candidate, according to a Suffolk University/USA TODAY national poll of registered voters.

Kamala Harris supporters say Beyoncé performance is a fun surprise

Charelle Fluker, 25, says she had already signed for Harris' rally before knowing Beyoncé would be in attendance. She came in hopes of celebrating the first Black female to become president and a Beyoncé appearance is a plus.

Cache McClay

The Beyoncé and Destiny's Child performance you probably forgot

Supporting political candidates and engaging voters goes way back for Beyoncé, who appeared with Destiny's Child at the "Concert Celebrating America's Youth," a day before George W. Bush was inaugurated in 2001. 98 Degrees also performed at the event.

We are loving these throwback photos of the singer - all low-rise jeans and going-out shirts, remember those?

The concert was attended by many teens and at one point, it was reported that Beyoncé led the audience in a chant: "Everybody in the House say, 'Bush.' "

The best part of the event was Kelly Rowland visiting the White House, TODAY Show host Jenna Bush Hagar said in 2022 when Rowland visited the TODAY Show set.

Rowland had given a then teenage Hagar a pager.

"Girl, I loved it!" Hagar said on the show. "I thought we could have texted. It wasn’t even texting ... beeped?"

Gender war Historic gap between men and women defines Harris v. Trump

What songs will Beyoncé play at the Kamala Harris rally?

As the Beyhive meets the K-hive, we expect some fun.

Our bets are on "Freedom," her 2016 hit that was featured in Harris' first campaign ad - and doesn't she need to play "Texas Hold'em"? And it seems "Smoke Hour" and "Smoke Hour II" with Willie Nelson have to appear on her setlist. We also know she seems to like to surprise us. We're ready.

Will this be a mini-concert? We don't expect the Renaissance tour, but we're hoping for a few songs!

Bruce Springsteen and other artists supporting Kamala Harris

Beyoncé isn't the only artist performing for Harris.

At a Georgia rally on Thursday, Bruce Springsteen sang three solo acoustic songs, spoke glowingly of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz (and critically of Donald Trump), and then implored the audience to vote.

Springsteen performed a spare and haunting version of his classic “The Promised Land” before addressing the crowd.

Springsteen and former president Barack Obama will rally in Philadelphia for Harris on Monday, Oct. 28.

Springsteen first endorsed Harris Oct. 3 in a social media video.

Chris Jordan

What time will Beyoncé take the stage at the Kamala Harris rally?

We don't know yet. Organizers for the rally are tight-lipped on timing. We do know that Harris is expected to take the stage at 8:30 p.m. CT, and it is anyone's guess on whether Beyoncé and others perform before or after. Typically, the headliner - which is Harris in this case, even if this is maybe the only time Beyoncé is not the headliner - goes last. But do organizers want people streaming out after the concert and before Harris talks? This could be a late night for those on the east coast.

Where is Beyoncé performing for the Kamala Harris rally?

Supporters who signed up for text messages about the event were told that the doors open at 3 p.m. CT for the rally.

Tickets for those who got them are accessible through SeatGeek and the location of the event: the Shell Energy Stadium, home of the Houston Dynamo FC and the Houston Dash, National Women's Soccer League. Fun fact: It was the first soccer-specific stadium built in a major downtown city. It opened in 2012.

How can I watch the rally? Or what I really want to know: How can I see Beyoncé perform?

USA TODAY will stream the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer’s performance live on its YouTube channel.

Why is Beyoncé performing at the Kamala Harris rally?

We know that Beyoncé is a Houston girl - born and raised in the area. It's where Destiny's Child was formed, originally as Girl's Tyme.

But the singer hasn't lived in Texas for a long time. In the final push up to the election, both presidential candidates are pulling in a lot of star power. On the day of the Houston rally with Beyoncé, Harris will record an interview with America's Therapist Brené Brown, whose audience skews heavily female. And Donald Trump is set to appear on the popular bro-cast The Joe Rogan experience.

Harris will be in Texas to help support Democratic Senate candidate Colin Allred, who is trying to unseat Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. Harris also will be there to talk about abortion rights, and the lack of reproductive freedom in Texas, which has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country.

Has Beyoncé endorsed Kamala Harris?

While Beyoncé’s 2016 hit “Freedom” was featured in Harris' first campaign video ad, she hasn't yet endorsed the Democratic presidential nominee. Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, endorsed Harris in July.

Has Beyoncé ever endorsed a presidential candidate?

Beyoncé has previously endorsed former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Joe Biden for their presidential bids.

The famous pop star performed the national anthem at Obama’s inauguration for his second term as president in 2013. Beyoncé, along with other artists, also performed at a get out to vote concert and rally for Clinton in 2016, when the Democrat ran against Trump.

-- Sudiksha Kochi

Who is performing at the Kamala Harris rally in Houston?

If you've read this far, you know Beyoncé is. But also, expect to see Willie Nelson, who at 91 is still on the road.

Is Taylor Swift campaigning for Kamala Harris? Will Taylor Swift perform for Kamala Harris?

No. But wouldn't that be fun?

Taylor Swift will be performing 347 miles east of New Orleans for her second to last U.S. Eras Tour city date.

The last time we spied them together was at Beyoncé's movie premiere in London. That was after Beyoncé attended Swift's movie premiere in Los Angeles.

But they both were at the Grammys earlier this year. Did they hang out? They are known to be super supportive of each other. And Swift endorsed Harris just after the only presidential debate of the year. Swift wrote on Instagram: "I'm voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Beyoncé and Kamala Harris unite at Houston rally