UNBELIEVABLE! Beyoncé’s halftime concert earns over TWICE the viewers of the awards show where she “didn’t feel welcomed”!

Beyoncé achieved a significant ratings triumph with her NFL Christmas halftime performance, which took place at NRG Stadium in her hometown of Houston. The 43-year-old pop icon’s 15-minute, eight-song medley attracted over 27 million American viewers, according to a press release from Netflix. This performance marked the end of an outstanding year for Beyoncé, who released her debut country album Cowboy Carter in March, receiving widespread praise from her fans.

The album, a surprising shift in her career, was inspired by a personal experience that Beyoncé had years ago, when she felt unwelcome in certain circles. While Beyoncé never directly named the event that sparked the creation of this album, many of her fans speculate that it refers to her controversial performance at the 2016 Country Music Association Awards, where she sang “Daddy Lessons” alongside the Dixie Chicks (now known as “The Chicks”). The performance was met with backlash from some viewers, who questioned her inclusion in a country music event, especially due to her support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Country Music Association (CMA) had to publicly defend itself against accusations that it had excluded Beyoncé from the show’s promotional materials because of the controversy. The Dixie Chicks responded to the backlash by posting a studio version of their collaboration with Beyoncé on Twitter, with the message: “If we all turn this up really loud, together we can drown out the hate.” Years later, in 2020, the Chicks’ lead singer, Natalie Maines, revealed that they, along with Beyoncé, were treated awkwardly backstage at the CMA Awards. Maines described the experience as “weird” and condemned the online “disrespect” toward Beyoncé as “disgusting.”

When Beyoncé released Cowboy Carter this month, she issued a statement on Instagram that many interpreted as a response to the CMA Awards. “This album has been over five years in the making. It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t,” she wrote. In her post, Beyoncé also shared how that experience led her to delve into the history of country music, studying the genre’s rich musical archive. She expressed how fulfilling it was to see how music can unite people globally while amplifying the voices of those who have dedicated their lives to educating others about the history of music.

Despite the positive reception of Cowboy Carter worldwide, Beyoncé did not receive any nominations at this year’s CMA Awards, which angered her fans. Many expressed their frustration on social media. This was compounded by Beyoncé’s complete snubbing at the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards, even though her album topped the Billboard charts, becoming the first country album by a Black woman to reach the number-one spot on the Top Country Albums chart. Globally, the album also reached number one in the UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Regarding her Christmas halftime show, Beyoncé once again demonstrated her ability to captivate audiences. Of the 27 million viewers who tuned in live, 24.3 million were watching the football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans, which ended in a dominant 31-2 victory for the Ravens. However, Beyoncé’s audience numbers were considerably higher in past performances, such as in 2016, when she performed at Super Bowl 50 with Coldplay, drawing 115.5 million viewers. In comparison, the 2024 Super Bowl, featuring Usher, became the most-watched television program in American history, with 129.3 million viewers.

For her NFL halftime performance, Beyoncé enlisted her 12-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, to perform as a backup dancer. She also brought Post Malone and Shaboozey onto the field for a collaboration. During her performance, Beyoncé caused a stir with a finger-gun gesture, just as a large “Bang” banner unfurled beneath her platform. This gesture, though visually striking, is illegal for NFL players to make on the field.

As for her professional life, Beyoncé remains a dominant force in both the music industry and popular culture. Her husband, Jay-Z, who was appointed in 2019 as the NFL’s live music entertainment strategist, played a pivotal role in securing Beyoncé’s $20 million contract for the Christmas halftime show. Despite the ongoing legal battles Jay-Z faces, including a civil lawsuit filed by an Alabama woman who accuses him and Diddy of assaulting her in 2000, the couple’s relationship with the NFL remains strong.

With her foray into country music, Beyoncé has once again proven herself to be a multidimensional artist who is not afraid to challenge conventions and explore new musical territory. Despite being overlooked by the country music elite, her global success and ability to connect with audiences worldwide further cement her status as one of the most influential artists in contemporary music.