Beyoncé’s star power undeniable at Kamala Harris campaign rally

HOUSTON — Beyoncé Knowles-Carter told an energetic crowd Friday she was not attending Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign rally as a celebrity, but her fame made an impact, anyway.

Even before the “Cowboy Carter” creator graced the stage in support of Harris with her mom, Tina Knowles, and her longtime friend and collaborator Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé’s influence was felt outside and all throughout the venue.

Excitement and a sense of pride permeated the air as fans waited in a long line ahead of the event outside Shell Energy Stadium in Houston.

Harris faces former President Donald Trump in the race for U.S. president. Election Day is 10 days away on Nov. 5.

Charelle Fluker, 25, said she had already signed up for Harris’ rally before knowing Beyoncé would be there. She came to celebrate who she hopes will be the first Black female to become president, and a Beyoncé appearance was a plus.

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Meanwhile, 27-year-old Cassidi Williams said Beyoncé definitely influenced her interest in the rally. It wasn’t until she heard the superstar would be there that she registered. She said the event “feels like home.”

The energy continued throughout the night inside the 22,000-person venue, as a unifying “mute challenge” moment kicked off the rally with nearly everyone going silent during part of Beyoncé 2016 hit “Energy” as the song suggests.

Houston native Tatiana Urdialez, 17, said over the noisy crowd that she encouraged her entire family to vote for Harris as a way to fight for her own rights. She said Beyoncé was an added “incentive.”

Haley Wyatt, 19, a first-time voter, echoed the same sentiments. She said the evening was all about the Democratic nominee who she hopes will be the first Black female president. However, Wyatts said the “Cowboy Carter” creator was the “cherry on top.”

Isaiah Alston, 26, summed up the impact of a superstar like Beyoncé.

“I’m a huge Beyonce fan, but I think that the great win is that those who came for Beyonce get to hear and see the impact that Kamala Harris has,” he said.

It was obvious others were equally excited about Beyoncé. Some folks arrived in their silver attire, a clear reference to the singer’s “Renaissance” era.

Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, had the crowd on their feet as she spoke of her H-Town pride and the importance of being in attendance.

“It’s been powerful to encourage young people and my own children,” she said before before introducing Beyoncé and Rowland.

Beyoncé said it was impossible not to “feel the energy in this room” on what she called the brink of history.

Of course she made sure to shout out her hometown, neighborhood by neighborhood. She also spoke about her own star power and her intention for it to take backseat for the evening.”I’m not here as a celebrity. I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother,” she said.

Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network’s Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.