Beyoncé’s 2017 Grammys Performance Was an Actual Religious Experience
The world never tires of calling Beyoncé a goddess, so Bey fully leaned into it Sunday night, becoming a glowing golden vision during her 2017 Grammys performance.
Beyoncé sang powerful and soulful renditions of “Love Drought” and “Sandcastles” utilizing holograms, digital screens, and headpieces to evoke religious symbolism from Hindu goddesses to the Virgin Mary. Of course, Beyoncé also debuted her baby bump for the first time in public on the stage giving her beautiful lyrics and introduction from her mother, Tina Lawson, even more meaning. At one point she even recreated the majestic and flower-power backdrop from her jaw-dropping pregnancy announcement Instagram that broke records.
The performance ended with Somali-British poet Warsan Shire’s poetry (“If we’re gonna heal, let it be glorious. 1,000 girls raise their arms. Do you remember being born?”) as Bey stared into our souls. Slay us, queen.
The singer led the Grammys nomination pack, snagging nine nods—including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year—for her surprise and no-holds-barred visual album Lemonade. (Bey is also the most nominated female artist in history, making her status on the Grammys stage legendary to begin with.)
In true Bey form, the star announced her pregnancy just weeks before the award show, posting a majestic photo to Instagram (followed by a flawless underwater photoshoot) with news of her twins that shut the Internet down. Her Grammys nomination evoked her 2011 VMAs performance where she shocked (of course) fans by debuting her baby bump—now known as slay-worthy five-year-old Blue Ivy. The singer is also set to perform at Coachella this year, but no word yet if her due date will force her to cancel.
Watch moments from the show-stopping performance, below.
All of us after her performance:
Grammys 2017: See What Everyone Wore on the Red Carpet
Recording artist Adele attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Recording artist Halsey attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Recording artist Desiigner attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Singer-songwriter Tinashe attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Paris Jackson attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Singer Santigold attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Demi Lovato attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Singers Leon Bridges and Brittni Jessie attend The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Jennifer Lopez attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Actor Lea Michele attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Producer Diplo attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Recording artist Jill Scott attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Singer Camila Cabello attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Singer Tori Kelly attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Actor/singer Kat Graham attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Rapper Rick Ross attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Nick Jonas attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Jason Derulo attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill attend The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Carrie Underwood attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Heidi Klum attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Katharine McPhee attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Charli XCX attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Laverne Cox attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Remy Ma and Fat Joe attend The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Katy Perry attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Céline Dion attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Lil Yachty attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
DJ Khaled, Asahd Tuck Khaled, and Nicole Tuck attend The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Chance the Rapper attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
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