Fans Rebuke Beyoncé’s National Anthem Performance In The Name Of Jesus

Controversy Erupts Over Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour Imagery

Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour has drawn both praise and backlash since its launch in April 2025. As visuals from her performances circulate online, one moment in particular — her performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” — has ignited intense debate. While some fans applaud the artistry, others are openly rejecting it, invoking religion and calling the performance disturbing.

A Haunting Version Of “The Star-Spangled Banner”

Beyoncé’s creative choices have long pushed boundaries, and this performance was no exception. Set to Jimi Hendrix’s iconic electric guitar rendition of the National Anthem, the visual presentation was far from traditional. As the music played, the screen showed a damaged American flag riddled with holes, dissolving into glitch art. A ghostly image of Beyoncé’s face, covered in white lace, stared forward as a crow flew across the screen — classic symbols often interpreted as ominous or spiritual.

Standing beneath a giant triangle-shaped screen, Beyoncé sang live as the visuals behind her flickered between red, white, and blue, with strobe lights and distorted stars and stripes intermittently appearing. Notably, many audience members did not remove their hats, a break from traditional National Anthem etiquette.

Midway through, bold red words flashed on screen:
“Never ask permission for something that already belongs to you.”

Her vocal delivery grew eerie during the word “ramparts” as her voice seemingly glitched, ending the song abruptly after “were so gallantly streaming?” The performance then transitioned directly into her 2016 song, “Freedom.”

Fans Divided Over The Performance’s Meaning

 

Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an

 

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Ka’Neisha Collins (@collins_kai)

The online reaction has been polarizing. While Beyoncé’s Beyhive praised her creativity, others expressed deep discomfort, even calling the performance “demonic.”

One viewer commented:

“I rebuke this video in the mighty name of Jesus.”

Another went further, writing:

“This isn’t a tribute. It’s a ritual. You’re watching a coded performance of inversion, not rebellion … Beyoncé isn’t liberating you. She’s leading you deeper into the simulation.”

Several pointed to the triangle imagery, claiming it resembled Illuminati symbolism. Beyoncé’s husband Jay-Z has famously used the Roc-A-Fella Diamond hand sign throughout his career, further fueling these theories. Though Jay-Z has explained the diamond shape as a symbol of ambition and success, conspiracy theories persist, especially among those suspicious of the couple’s fame.

Comments under the viral Instagram post included:

“All I see is Satan worshipping.”
“I see the Illuminati triangle she’s performing in.”

Yet not all feedback was negative. Some fans defended Beyoncé’s artistic choices, suggesting her performance may carry hidden spiritual messages rather than nefarious ones.

“I don’t believe she is as ‘demonic’ as people think. Maybe it’s more spiritually inclined? Idk but it seems like she has to talk in code because we know what happens to people who speak out against the ‘matrix.’”

The Role Of Controversy In Beyoncé’s Art

Beyoncé’s use of religious, political, and symbolic imagery has been a cornerstone of her career for over a decade. From Lemonade (2016) to Renaissance (2022) and now Cowboy Carter (2024), she has consistently blended visual art, music, and cultural critique.

Her Cowboy Carter album sparked similar controversy upon release, particularly within the country music community, despite its Grammy wins for Best Country Album and Album of the Year.

This National Anthem performance appears to follow the same path: sparking conversation, fueling debate, and encouraging audiences to question what they’re seeing — and why.

Watch Beyoncé’s National Anthem Performance From Her 2025 Tour Below:

@tomasmier Beyoncé performs Star-Spangled Banner at Cowboy Carter tour opening night in LA #beyonce #cowboycartertour #cowboycarter #beyonceconcert #beyoncefans #beyonceshow @Beyoncé ♬ original sound – tomás mier