DNC Producers Explain Their Side of the ‘Beyoncé at the DNC’ Rumor

The producers of the Democratic National Convention just broke their silence on the Beyoncé DNC performance that never was, and like, they can’t help it that you fell for fake news!

Many online speculated that Queen Bey would perform her song “Freedom,” the Harris campaign’s apparent anthem, on the final night of the convention in Chicago, and even TMZ got tricked. But though Vice President Harris did walk out to the song (from the album, not live), there was no Knowles. (Or Swift, for that matter.)

“We never put out anything about Beyoncé. We denied it every time the media asked us—even though, by the way, people on my staff didn’t believe me. I kept getting texts from news organizations saying, ‘When is Beyoncé coming out?’ But come on, we have the biggest star, the Democratic nominee for president. Why would we overshadow that?” Ricky Kirshner, the event’s executive producer, just told The Hollywood Reporter.

The Convention was, however, star-studded, to say the least. On night four alone, Kerry Washington took the stage at the United Center arena in Chicago, and Pink and The Chicks performed. But it was all in the name of creating a good event, not overshadowing the race, as a Beyoncé DNC concert might have.

Kirshner added, “We’re smart enough to know that what we’re there to do is get the message out about the Democratic side. The celebrities help us do that for sure, but we have to keep the ultimate goal in mind. We had Pink [on Thursday]. She was amazing. But it was Pink with a beautiful song, not Pink flying in from the rafters.”

Rumors of a Beyoncé appearance began picking up steam on X hours before the final night, as did rumors that Taylor Swift, who just wrapped her European leg of the Eras Tour, would hit the stage. (A twofer was perhaps wishful thinking, but I salute the efforts at manifesting.) TMZ later reported that Beyoncé would be the surprise performer on night four of the Convention, citing multiple sources. However, Beyoncé’s own publicist then released a statement to several news outlets, saying that Beyoncé was “not scheduled to perform.”

Will Beyoncé perform at the inauguration if Harris wins, as she did for Obama? Let’s get the rumor mill churnin’ again, shall we?