Beyoncé Surprises Fans at Brazil ‘Renaissance’ Film Premiere: ‘It Was Very Important to Be Here’
The Renaissance is far from over. On Thursday (Dec. 21), Beyoncé made a grand return to Brazil to celebrate the premiere of her Renaissance documentary concert film in a slew of new international territories, marking her first visit to the country in a decade.
Queen Bey had days earlier shared on Instagram the latest KNTY 4 News update: Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé would premiere in 15 new countries, including Brazil, on Dec. 21. “Y’all didn’t have to break my website,” she said in a voiceover. “But I told y’all, the renaissance is not over.”
To celebrate the film’s release around the world, Parkwood Entertainment and TV Globo teamed up to co-sponsor an event in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Fan-captured footage shows what appears to be a replica of the Renaissance World Tour stage and exclusive Club Renaissance merchandise.
Beyoncé teased her arrival in Brazil with a cheeky meme of the Renaissance disco horse — nicknamed Reneigh by fans — peeking out of a private jet. Sure enough, the music icon surprised fans with her first public appearance in Brazil in 10 years. She last visited the country during her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour back in 2013.
Once at the event, a visibly overwhelmed Beyoncé addressed the crowd, saying in fan-captured video, “I was not able to come for the Renaissance tour, but I’m so happy to give y’all the Renaissance film … You are the Renaissance!”
“I came because I love you so much … It was very important to be here, right here,” the “Cuff It” singer continued. “Thank you for all your support over the years. There is no one like y’all. You are one of one, No. 1 and the only one!”
Immediately following her brief appearance — during which she wore a stunning silver hooded grown — Beyoncé shared some snaps on her Instagram page featuring her chucking up the deuces on her private jet, holding the Brazilian flag, and taking in the enraptured crowd.
The “Break My Soul” singer originally hosted two premieres for her film: a private premiere at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles on Nov. 25 and a public premiere at Leicester Square in London on Nov. 30. At both events, Beyoncé sported brand new platinum blonde hair.
The film made its U.S. debut on Dec. 1, topping the domestic box office in its first weekend and earning acclaim from critics and fans alike. The behind-the-scenes look at her Renaissance World Tour and accompanying Grammy-winning album featured Beyoncé at her most vulnerable in years.
Beyoncé’s record-breaking tour visited the U.S., Europe and Canada, selling more than 2.7 million tickets and grossing $579 million. The trek, which was in support of her Billboard 200-topping Renaissance album, is the highest grossing tour by a woman, by a Black artist and by any American soloist in Billboard Boxscore history.
Check out some fan-captured footage of the Beyoncé’s momentous visit to Brazil below:
Kyle-Brandon Denis
Billboard
