Watching Beyoncé in this performance feels like a nudge, perhaps even a push, to step up and embrace your own brilliance. But here’s the thing: stepping into your power doesn’t require a stage or audience of millions. It starts within. It begins with self-love—a deliberate, radical choice to honor and nurture yourself every day.  

And once you do that, the ripple effect is unstoppable. You begin to move through the world with purpose. You align yourself with opportunities that fuel your growth. You become magnetic—not because of anyone else’s validation, but because of the love and light you’ve cultivated from within.  

As you may know the first pillar of 10 Faces of She™  is BRAVE.  While the Beyoncé’ Bowl performance was a moment of brilliance, her journey to creating and sharing this piece of art was not without challenges. Let’s take a moment to reflect on her courage in pursuing her "Cowboy Carter" project—which included the country hit Texas Hold 'Em—and the resistance she faced simply for daring to bring her authentic story into a genre deeply rooted in Black traditions. We will get back to the masterpiece, "Texas Hold 'Em" in a moment, because this track propels this album to step boldly into Americana while flipping conventional narratives, like only Bey can.

“Cowboy Carter” was Beyoncé’s tribute to her Southern heritage and a nod to the complex layers of family, love, and resilience, all told through the rich narrative style of Country Music. Despite the song’s deeply authentic storytelling, which resonated with listeners across genres, Beyoncé’s inclusion in the Country Music space was met with backlash, rooted in the misguided belief that her presence was intruding and didn’t belong. The Country Music Awards (CMAs) notably snubbed her—ignoring her groundbreaking album despite its critical acclaim, commercial success, and cultural impact. 

This pushback—whether from the establishment and/or segments of the fan base—reflects a deeper ignorance about the very origins of Country Music. The truth is, Country as a genre owes much to Black culture, particularly the contributions of enslaved Africans who brought their rhythms, narrative styles, and instruments like the banjo to the Americas. Beyoncé wasn’t intruding on Country Music—she was reclaiming space that had always belonged to Black voices, a truth the industry continues to grapple with.

So back to "Texas Hold 'Em, for me, this track is one of Beyoncé’s finest, blending blues grit with that unmistakable confidence we live for. To me, this song feels like a standoff in a saloon, with Bey at the center, serving up high stakes, deep storytelling, and hooks that can get you out of your head and on the dance floor. The cross-generational "Texas Hold 'Em" line dances are proof that Beyoncé can master any genre she touches while making it her own. 

The other track I L-O-V-E is "16 Carriages," and  her cover of "Jolene"is as awesome as it is unique. Beyoncé is redefining what an artist can do, not just bending genres but building bridges. Here’s the thing: Beyoncé designed *Cowboy Carter* like a radio broadcast, and it’s GENIUS. This album spotlight legends in the Country Music genre like one of my favorites, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Linda Martell—the first commercially successful black female artist to play the Grand Ole Opry-was a pioneer that paved the way for many black Country music artists to follow.

A critical part of that bridge building was the tracks that featured other black country artists. Beyoncé highlighted Shaboozey, Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy, Brittney Spencer, Willie Jones and Reyna Roberts. It’s the ultimate collab of heritage and fresh talent, blended together in Beyoncé’s one-of-a-kind style. 

I'm doing my best not to make this article forever long but I must mention the amazing music played by Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Nile Rodgers, Jon Batiste and Rhiannon Giddens.

Oh who else was there! The Texans Cheerleaders,  200 members of Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul Marching Band, shining light on an HBCU band! Beyoncé showcased Black country artists, but the entire performance was a homage to Western and rodeo culture. I was also wondering who the people she spotlighted. If you were wondering too, here ya go! 

Other guests included: Mexican Cowgirl Melanie Rivera; bull-riding legend Myrtis Dightman Jr., known as the “Jackie Robinson of Rodeo”; Miss Rodeo Texas Princess 2004 and Miss Rodeo Texas 2015 Nikki Woodward; and the first Black Rodeo Queen in Arkansas, Ja’Dayia Kursh. They were joined by Houston Texans owner Cal McNair and his wife, Hannah - USA Today.

What makes Beyoncé extraordinary isn’t simply her talent—it’s her unwavering commitment to her WHY. She never allowed the resistance, born from racism and white supremacy, to silence her or keep her from pursuing her purpose. She could have turned away from the backlash, stayed in more “acceptable” genres, or abandoned her love for storytelling through Country Music. But Beyoncé persisted, driven by the courage to honor her story and the stories of others who came before her.  

Her tenacity serves as a powerful reminder for all of us: Let your dreams fuel you, no matter the obstacles along the way. Whether it’s doubt from others, systemic barriers, or even your own fears, remember that your passion—your WHY—is more powerful than any naysayer. Allow your purpose to lift you over hurdles and carry you forward.   As Beyoncé has shown us time and again, greatness lives on the other side of being brave enough to let your passion lead, even when others resist. 💪🏽

You know what makes this so special for me? This album isn’t just music—it’s storytelling with purpose. We’re talking about celebrating the history of Black cowboys, the deep roots of blues and country music, and reclaiming these narratives that have been overlooked for way too long. Beyoncé is basically saying, “Hey, Americana didn’t just materialize out of nowhere—let’s talk about the FULL history.” And can we just take a moment to appreciate how she’s making space for voices that deserve to be heard loud and clear?

We love an inclusive queen. Where Renaissance made us dance like nobody was watching, Cowboy Carter feels like a soulful road trip across history. It’s raw, it’s real, and it reminds us that Beyoncé is always thinking bigger—pushing creative boundaries and empowering others at every turn.  

Also, how do we not talk about how brilliantly versatile* she is? To go from disco vibes to reimagining Americana, all while keeping us hanging on her every move?! Like, can she breathe for one second so we can keep up? (Spoiler: She cannot, and we love her for it.)   This is Beyoncé at her most daring and dynamic, and honestly—it’s inspiring. Whether it’s her dropping albums, dancing alongside Blue Ivy on tour, or just continuing to connect with fans in ways that feel personal and profound, Bey never misses. And Cowboy Carter? It’s proof that she’s out here not just telling stories, but rewriting the entire cultural narrative.

One of the most breathtaking elements of Beyoncé’s Bowl performance wasn’t just her own brilliance but the way she passed the torch to her daughter, Blue Ivy. Watching Blue Ivy perform with poise, confidence, and undeniable excellence on one of the largest stages in the world (streaming across Netflix to over 200 countries!) was a profound reminder of the power of legacy.  

This wasn’t just a mother-and-daughter moment; it was a demonstration of what happens when women embrace self-love and courage and then pass those gifts forward.

Beyoncé’s unwavering commitment to her craft, her purpose, and her authenticity created the platform. And Blue Ivy seized the moment, standing tall and radiant in front of a packed stadium, proving that age has no bearing on confidence when you’re given roots to grow and wings to fly. 

I realized the global resonance of this moment as I was watching a reaction video on a YouTube channel called, “Beyoncé Thailand.” Think about the number of watch parties with conversations in living rooms across the globe—is proof that confidence and self-love don’t just empower the person practicing them; they inspire and ripple outward. Blue Ivy’s performance wasn’t just a remarkable moment for her family; it was a reminder to all of us to invest in the next generation—to raise daughters, nieces, and mentees who are unapologetically bold and brilliant. You gotta love it! 🙌🏾

Just for facts sake, based on current reports, Beyoncé’s Netflix Bowl halftime performance streamed to over 200 countries, reinforcing its global reach, ❶ according to NPR.  As for viewers, the event saw exceptional engagement, with 27 million viewers in the United States alone, making it a major draw on Netflix, ❷ as seen here reported by USA Today. These details affirm how truly monumental the performance was, not only for its cultural significance but also for its capacity to unite a global audience.