Beyoncé has as many detractors as she does adoring fans. There are those who deride her for being a seemingly vacuous superstar and chide her for what they perceive to be a hollow pop creation who benefited from the Svengali manipulations of an ambitious stage-father. I’m sure the diva could care less about what her critics have to say about her — its part and parcel of being a pop superstar.
But after the 2009 VMAs, even the most vocal naysayers have to give Knowles her due. She is inarguably the queen of popular music. Her not winning in a somewhat-secondary video category, prompted Kanye West — one of the biggest, most erratic and mercurial superstars in the industry — to jump onstage and make a drunken ass of himself by hijacking winner Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech. When Beyoncé did win the biggest award of the night, she invited the 19-year old Swift to take the stage and resume her speech. It was unquestionably a classy move, affirming that Beyoncé was alpha female at the awards show that night.
When her hubby, hip-hop megastar Jay-Z, took the stage with another pop chanteuse, Alicia Keys, to perform their hit single “Empire State of Mind,” Beyoncé was seen mouthing along and enjoying the performance. If there is any female artist that can stand next to Beyoncé in terms of popularity and visibility, it’s most likely Ms. Keys. But Bey showcased a spirit of sisterhood and spousal support throughout the entire night. And while the world rose up in waves to rebuke the ridiculously rude behavior of Mr. West; we should have been equally as passionate in our praise of the poise and polish of Beyoncé. – todd williams
