Beyoncé gave viewers the performance of a lifetime with the first-ever live-streamed NFL Christmas Day halftime show. Dubbed Beyoncé Bowl, the performance happened at Houston’s NRG Stadium during halftime of the Baltimore Ravens versus Houston Texans game and was streamed by Netflix. Featuring a Western-themed medley of songs from her most recent album COWBOY CARTER, Queen Bey garnered over 27 million views alone for the halftime event, which not only was an outstanding showcase of talent but a beautiful representation of Black Cowboy culture and Black Southern culture overall.
The superstar began her halftime extravaganza with a pre-taped segment. Dressed in all-white from her cowboy hat to her boots, she was led into the stadium on a white horse while singing her viral hit “16 CARRIAGES,” a ballad about her journey coming up in the music industry. As she rode the horse down a walkway lined in red and white stripes, a huge marquee reading “COWBOY CARTER” came into view on the side of an 18-wheeler with added pyro effects. Bey and the horse continued trotting along past vintage white Cadillacs on either side of the walkway. When she came to a stop, the camera panned to a multicultural group of trick riders posed standing on and next to more white horses.
Beyoncé hopped off the horse and continued down the walkway on foot. She flashed the camera her killer smile before launching into her next selection “BLACKBIIRD,” her cover of the Beatles’ classic written by Paul McCartney about discrimination during the Civil Rights Movement. Bey’s version of the meaningful song features Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts and Tiera Kennedy, four up-and-coming Black women in country music, and they stepped into the frame alongside Beyoncé to add their beautiful harmonies.
The mood instantly switched when the camera went live to Beyoncé on the field dressed in a bedazzled white outfit. The upbeat track “YA YA” began, and she rocked out with her dancers. This song touches on the history of Black Americans not just in country music but in America overall. Bey’s vocals and energy combined to bring this story to life on the 50 yard line.
Texas Southern University’s Ocean Of Soul marching band helped Beyoncé transition into “MY HOUSE,” which was released as a single in between act i. RENAISSANCE and act ii. COWBOY CARTER. The band and dancers, which included Bey’s eldest child Blue Ivy, stood on risers behind the singer reminiscent of her iconic headlining performance at Coachella 2018 (later repackaged in Netflix’s Homecoming concert film). Her former dance captain Ashley Everett was also on the field and back in the mix in her first performance with Beyoncé since skipping out on the RENAISSANCE World Tour in 2023.
The music then transitioned to a “RIIVERDANCE” and “SPAGHETTII” mashup, and the Houston native strutted down the red and white runway with the band and dancers flanking her. She came to a stop and was then joined by Shaboozey who rapped his verse from “SPAGHETTII” as Beyoncé disappeared from view. Once Shaboozey finished his verse, she immediately segued into “SWEET HONEY BUCKIIN’” for a quick dance break.
“LEVII JEANS” came next, and Bey shimmied over to a pickup truck covered in denim patches. She sang and danced in front of the pickup’s headlights as the Ocean Of Soul majorettes danced in unison behind the vehicle to spice up the performance even more. The camera followed Beyoncé when she walked to the back of the truck to reveal featured artist Post Malone sitting there. He hopped down to join her on their duet before the band transitioned into “JOLENE.”
Bey switched it up yet again with a parade-style caravan of convertible Cadillacs driving on the field. She led the parade, riding in the back of a vintage Caddy and singing her infamous cover of Dolly Parton’s hit song. Pulling up behind her were Miss Rodeo Texas Princess 2004 and Miss Rodeo Texas 2015, as well as the owners of the Houston Texans in another vehicle.
- Advertisement -Everything’s bigger in Texas, and Beyoncé went big for her final number “TEXAS HOLD ’EM.” Before jumping into the song, she addressed the audience in the stadium and those streaming on Netflix. “It’s only right that we do ‘TEXAS HOLD ’EM’ for the first time in Houston, Texas on Christmas! Y’all help me sing!” she exclaimed.
She began the song standing on a stage situated in a carriage covered in white flowers, which many fans online have noted is similar to those seen historically at Juneteenth celebrations held in Houston. Blue Ivy returned to join her mother front and center, and the crowd went wild as she broke out into the line dance with the rest of the dancers. A few of the male dancers lifted Beyoncé into the air to carry her back to the stage. The music then switched to “TEXAS HOLD ’EM (PONY UP REMIX)” with its New Orleans Bounce for one last turn-up before the dramatic final scene.
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Beyoncé stood on a platform that slowly raised her into the air while she belted out the “TEXAS HOLD ’EM” lyrics. Suspended high above the field, she ended the performance by pointing a finger gun as a banner reading “BANG” unfurled beneath the platform. She wished everyone a Merry Christmas to close out Beyoncé Bowl.
This halftime performance was epic on so many levels. The symbolism, musicality, attention to detail and celebration of Black Southern culture were everything we could’ve expected from Queen Bey in her COWBOY CARTER era. Time and time again, Beyoncé has managed to outdo herself, and she did it with this spectacular production. To experience Beyoncé Bowl on-demand, you can stream it on Netflix or watch right here.
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