Beyoncé endorses Kamala Harris alongside Kelly Rowland at Houston rally with unifying speech: 'We must vote'
Beyoncé made a high-profile appearance at Kamala Harris' reproductive rights rally on Friday at Houston's Shell Energy Stadium, where she spoke alongside Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland.
Beyoncé endorsed Kamala Harris campaign rally in Houston on October 25.
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The vocalist began by addressing the audience and discussing her Texas heritage. "H-town! We are overjoyed to be standing here on this stage as proud Texan women, supporting and celebrating the one and only Vice President Kamala Harris," she concluded. "A woman who has been advocating for what this country really needs right now: togetherness. It is impossible not to feel the vibe in this place. "Positivity, community, humanity."
Beyoncé went on to say that she was there as a mother, concerned about her children's future in America. "We are at the precipice of an incredible shift, the brink of history," she told me. "I am not here as a celebrity. I am not here as a politician. I am here as a mother. A mother who is deeply concerned about the world my children and all of our children live in. A world in which we are free to regulate our bodies. A world in which we are not divided. Our past, present, and future come together to greet us here. Imagine our daughters growing up seeing what is possible with no ceilings or limitations. Imagine our grandmothers and how they feel right now. People who have lived to see this historic day."
After mentioning many parts of Houston, she ended on a positive note: "We must vote, and we need you," she stated. "It is time to sing a new tune. A song that originated 248 years ago. The ancient notes of disaster, conflict, and despair are no longer heard. Our loved ones from previous generations are uttering a prophecy, a quest, a call, or a song. This is our moment right now. It is time for America to sing a new song. Our voices create a chorus of solidarity. They sing a song about dignity and opportunities. Are you prepared to add your voice to the new American song? Because I am. So, let's do it! Ladies and gentlemen, please give a huge Texas greeting to the next President of the United States, Vice President Kamala Harris."
Tina Knowles, Beyoncé's mother, introduced the two, with Rowland expressing her support for Harris first. "We cannot go backwards, guys," Rowland reminded the audience. "Too many people have died for us to be free. In my heart, I know that all of our previous experiences have lead us to this point. We need to show up and do our share."
Since Harris was elected as the Democratic candidate in the election, Beyoncé's 2016 song "Freedom" has been Harris' campaign anthem and has appeared in campaign advertisements, implying an endorsement on Beyoncé's part. Beyoncé attended a rally in her hometown of Houston tonight to officially announce her support for Harris.
Shortly after Harris chose "Freedom" as her campaign song, Donald Trump's team utilized the song in an advertisement shared on his spokesperson Steven Cheung's X account. Beyoncé issued a cease-and-desist letter to the Trump campaign shortly after, and the video was removed from Cheung's page.
At the gathering, Willie Nelson played his 1978 song "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys," a rendition of Ed Bruce's original. Introducing the song, which spent four weeks at number one on the country charts, he addressed the audience, "Are we ready to say Madame President?" He also sang his 1980 favorite "On the Road Again," thanking the audience and raising his guitar in the air.
Additional addresses were delivered by Texas Senate candidate Colin Allred, Jessica Alba, and local OBGYN Dr. Todd Ivy, who emphasized the significance of reproductive rights. Several women and couples who have been affected by the overturning of Roe v. Wade delivered comments during the protest.
With fewer than two weeks to the election, recent polls indicate that the presidential race is largely deadlocked, with Harris and Trump separated by similar margins. Harris is campaigning in the seven important swing states that might decide the election, and earlier this week she launched her "When We Vote, We Win" campaign in those states.
Harris has received support from well-known singers and celebrities throughout the campaign, particularly in the last stretch before the election. On Tuesday, Eminem appeared in Detroit to present former President Barack Obama and to support Harris and her values. Bruce Springsteen performed at a Harris rally in Atlanta on Thursday and will return to Philadelphia on Monday.
Between songs at his Atlanta show, Springsteen praised Harris and her vision for America's future, while criticizing Donald Trump. "She is running to be the 47th President of the United States. "Donald Trump is running to become an American tyrant," he stated. "He doesn't comprehend this country, its history, or what it is to be truly American. And that is why, on November 5, I will vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. I urge everyone who believes in the American way to join me."
