BeyHive 'understood the assignment': Dripped-out fans show out at Beyoncé's Bay Area 'Renaissance' tour
Zitlaly Martinez Hernandez, 23, of San Jose at Beyoncés Renaissance Tour. Santa Clara. Aug. 30, 2023.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - As the BeyHive descends upon Levi's Stadium for Wednesday night's Beyoncé concert, KTVU found that fans understood the assignment.
We previously reported the "Break My Soul" singer had requested that fans dress like a human disco ball for her birthday.
We caught a glimpse of the throngs of fans, many of which were probably getting "Heated" on this sweltering 91-degree day in the South Bay, in shimmering, glittery get-ups, obeying their queen's command.
The final leg of the ‘Renaissance Tour’ is making its mark in the ‘Bey Area’. Santa Clara city officials have rolled out the red carpet for Beyoncé, giving her the key to the city and declaring her the honorary mayor for a day.
Much has been made about the economic impact the tour stop would have on the South Bay. Some even call it the Beyoncé effect. Similar to what we saw with Taylor Swift, who boosted the local economy by $33 million last month; fans are spending hundreds of dollars on tickets, hotels and food for the extravaganza.
But for the Bey Hive, many who feel personally connected to the megastar, it's about soaking up the atmosphere and dressing up to the nines.
Zitlaly Martinez Hernandez of San Jose deviated from the silver "dress code" slightly and wore hot pink and had silver accents instead. The 23-year-old Virgo wore an outfit that mirrored Beyoncé's outfit from an earlier concert date.
Antioch resident Andres Restrepo wore a bedazzled mask resembling the ones worn by doctors during the Bubonic Plague. Additionally, he combined it with a shirt with the words "America Has A Problem" and silver pants.
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The shirt references a Renaissance album song, titled "AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM," a song which samples another under a similar name--"American Has A Problem (Cocaine)" and compares the singer's celebrity and sex appeal to the illicit drug, according to analysis to Genius.
Similarly, 28-year-old Felix Alvarez of San Jose wore a shirt with "COZY," referencing the second song on the album.
Skyler Ryan of Oakland wore a mostly black outfit, similar to one Beyoncé has worn during this tour and performances.
Many wore eccentric and extravagant outfits that reflected the ballroom culture created and supported by African Americans and Latines in the 20th century.
Moreover, many wore a silver and bedazzled cowboy hat, arguably the iconic symbol of the Renaissance World Tour.
Then, you have fans like Nicole Williams who pay tribute to the Queen in other ways.
The 32-year-old wore a dress that referenced an older outfit of Beyoncé's. In 2017, Beyoncé dressed as the Yoruba goddess of fertility Oshun during her Grammy performance.
"My outfit is inspired by Beyoncé's Grammy performance to "Love Drought." I love gold and I know that she asked us to wear silver, however I planned this six months ago, so my Queen Bey will definitely understand," Williams said.
Thousands of fans came by party bus, car and light rail to see the show. Fans paraded towards the stadium for the Bay Area's one-night only performance.
Nubia Johnson of San Jose couldn't contain her excitement. "Very excited. I feel like I'm about to have the time of my life right now."
One woman arrived early from Tallahassee, Florida and waited in line to buy Beyoncé merchandise. "So, I got tickets in February. I go to school in Tallahassee and a hurricane was going to come and they almost canceled my flight. So, I took a 4 a.m. flight out of Tallahassee, flew in for the concert and I’m here. I’m very excited!" said Mahika Anand.
As fans waited in anticipation of the show, they talked about Beyonce's music an how her professionalism as an artist inspires them.
"Her work ethic is insane and if you have any kind of self-worth, you can see it in her," said Caleb Harris of Santa Clara.
No matter what the look, it was clear these fans came to slay for ‘Bey Day’.
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Queen reigns over 'Bey' Area: Beyoncé performs at Levi's Stadium
Beyoncé, or Queen Bey as her fans call her, takes the stage at Levi's Stadium tonight.
Levis Stadium ahead of Beyonces Renaissance tour. Santa Clara, Calif. Aug. 30, 2023.
Levis Stadium ahead of Beyonces Renaissance tour. Santa Clara, Calif. Aug. 30, 2023.