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Beyoncé turned NRG Stadium into the Beyoncé Bowl on Christmas Day, and Billboard was there to watch history in the making.
From the moment fans drove into the stadium’s parking lot, it was clear this wasn’t just any NFL game — it was the Beymas of our dreams. Even though the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens were battling for a spot in the AFC Championship, the real anticipation was for the mid-game Beyoncé concert.
The stadium felt like something out of a holiday movie. Holiday decorations were everywhere — Christmas trees, glowing lights and even the Grinch made a few appearances. Each concourse was a true seasonal scene, even featuring photo setups throughout for fans to snap pictures in their Cowboy Carter getups.
And the crowd? Outfits were split 50% NFL gear and 50% Cowboy Carter/Beyoncé merch. Rhinestone cowboy hats, custom denim jeans, fringe jackets, and lots of cowboy boots took over.
Music was everywhere. DJs posted across different levels of the stadium kept the Texans fans turnt up before, during and after the game. And let’s talk about the food: Bun B’s Trill Burgers were being served in custom Beymas and Trillmas boxes that felt more like collectibles than packaging. And on every seat, a Cowboy Carter-themed light-up wristband sat waiting, ready for what was to come at halftime.
The celebration of Houston pride extended beyond the performers. Throughout the day, some of Houston’s brightest stars were spotted in the crowd, including Liza Koshy, Tobe Nwigwe and Mo Amer.
Pentatonix kicked off the performances of the day with their stunning version of the national anthem. The Texas-born a cappella group nailed every note, giving the stadium a powerful and emotional moment. What made it even more special was that three of the group’s members — Kirstin Maldonado, Mitch Grassi and Scott Hoying — have their roots in Arlington, Texas, showcasing how the great state produces artists.
But when the lights dimmed for the halftime show, you could feel every single person freeze in place. The big screens came alive as Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts and Tiera Kennedy performed “Blackbiird” together. Their voices were soft and enchanting, echoing through the stadium as well as the big screens, but the crowd was anxious, looking around — scanning the field, all thinking the same thing: Where’s Beyoncé?
And then — BANG! — she appeared. The second she hit the field, the stadium erupted, Texas style. It wasn’t just loud; it was visceral. We get chills just thinking about it.
For 13 minutes, nobody moved. Sure, people screamed, clapped, maybe even cried, but mostly, everyone just stared. It felt like time had stopped. Beyoncé wasn’t just performing; she was commanding. Every look, every step, every note — it was all sharp, deliberate and locked in. It felt bigger than a halftime show. This wasn’t just another stadium stop. It wasn’t another performance to check off a list. It was home.
And then came Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s daughter Blue Ivy. The second the crowd noticed her on the field, the vibe shifted from excitement to being in awe. At age 12, she walked onto that field with purpose. Her focus was sharp, her steps confident and her presence undeniable. It was special because of how she carried herself. There wasn’t an ounce of hesitation in her movements. No nervous glances, no second-guessing, just confidence. Blue Ivy didn’t step onto that field to prove anything; she stepped onto it because she belonged there.
And this wasn’t about Beyoncé passing the torch because Blue Ivy is the torch. She’s not waiting for her moment; she’s already living it. Holding her own next to one of the greatest performers of all time, she isn’t following her mother; she’s walking alongside her, carving her own path. Blue Ivy isn’t next. She’s now.
One of the most powerful parts of the night came from the Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul Marching Band, one of the most respected HBCU bands in the country — and it’s Houston’s band. For Beyoncé to feature TSU on this stage, in this moment, in this city, wasn’t just meaningful. It was intentional. It felt like a tribute to her roots, to her community and to the legacy of HBCUs and the role they play in culture and music.
Then Shaboozey hit the stage, and it felt like the energy shifted again. His voice was deep and steady as it rolled through the stadium. Their collaborations on Cowboy Carter — “Spaghettii” and “Sweet Honey Buckiin” — are timeless at this point. And seeing him up there, standing next to Beyoncé, solidified that this wasn’t just an artist who got a lucky break. He is someone who deserves to be here.
The biggest Texas surprise was Post Malone coming out to perform “Levii’s Jeans,” and the crowd lost it all over again. Two Texas Titans — Beyoncé from Houston and Posty from Dallas-Fort Worth — standing side by side together. To be in Houston, it wasn’t like they were just performing together. They were representing being Texans in a way that couldn’t have happened anywhere else but here.
As “Texas Hold ’Em” marked the finale, Beyoncé rose above the stage on a platform before a massive “BANG!” banner dropped, and the wristbands across the stadium lit up in perfect unison.
As the show ended and the platform lowered, Beyoncé raised her fists in the air. She didn’t need to say anything. That moment said it all — pride, triumph and gratitude were written all over her face and the stadium did nothing but clap and cheer, unbelievably thinking about what they had just witnessed.
Beyoncé is more than just the greatest pop star of the 21st century. She creates experiences. And on Christmas night, in her hometown, she delivered what will go down as one of the greatest performances of her career.
Record producer Jay David Saks, who died last month, left behind a rich and unique legacy, one that spanned the worlds of classical music and Broadway cast albums. But it all began a member of a “one-hit-wonder” group which had a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
Saks died on Nov. 16 of Parkinsonism-related causes. He was 79. News of his death was confirmed by Peter Gelb of The Metropolitan Opera.
Saks won 13 Grammys between 1983 and 2014, eight for classical music and five for his work on Broadway cast albums.
He won best opera recording four times, all for work with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra/The Metropolitan Opera Chorus. He won for Verdi: La Traviata Opera Recording; Adams: Doctor Atomic; Wagner: Der Ring Des Nibelungen and Adès: The Tempest.
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He won best musical show album five times for cast albums from Into the Woods and Jerome Robbins’ Broadway and revivals of Guys and Dolls, Chicago and Gypsy.
In addition, Saks won two Daytime Emmys, both for his work on Great Performances at the Met. He won outstanding individual achievement in any area of the performing arts – audio (1983) and outstanding individual achievement in the performing arts – audio (1984).
Born in New York City, Saks grew up in The Bronx. His older sister was the cellist Toby Saks.
During the 1960’s, Saks played bass guitar with The Balloon Farm, which had a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1968 with the psychedelic pop/rock song “A Question of Temperature.” Saks wasn’t the only member of The Balloon Farm who went on to success in the industry. Fellow member Mike Appel managed Bruce Springsteen from 1972-75 and co-produced his first three albums. Their sole hit was produced by Peter Schekeryk, who went on to produce hits for his wife, Melanie, including the Hot 100-topping “Brand New Key.”
Saks studied at the Juilliard School, and later continued his studies at the Mannes College of Music, from which he graduated in 1970.
As an audio producer for CBS Masterworks, RCA Red Seal (RCA Records), Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG), and Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Saks was responsible for engineering and master recording hundreds of titles.
Beginning in 1980, Saks worked with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City to record and produce more than 1,600 of its telecasts, radio broadcasts and live HD transmissions.
Saks was nominated for 53 Grammys between 1977 and 2018. He received at least one Grammy nomination in 30 different years. He was nominated 10 times for classical producer of the year, but he never won in that category.
Saks’ other cast show album nominations (in addition to his five wins) were for Starting Here, Starting Now, Anything Goes, Assassins, Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying!, Ragtime the Musical (for two different recordings), Cabaret, Fosse, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Man of La Mancha, Avenue Q—The Musical and The Color Purple.
Saks was also nominated for best compilation soundtrack album for a motion picture, television or other visual media for Fantasia/2000.
Saks was nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 2007 – outstanding sound mixing for a variety or music series or special – as audio producer for PBS’ The Magic Flute (Great Performances at the Met).
An avid runner, Saks completed one of the earliest New York City marathons.
Saks is survived by his wife, Linda Saks; their two sons, Jeremy Saks and Greg Saks; and three grandchildren, Bo Saks, May Li Saks, and Ben Saks.
Taylor Swift and Dolly Parton have fans working 9 to 5 trying to figure out if a collaboration between the two blonde country–pop crossover superstars is in the works.
That’s because the “Jolene” singer appears to have given the Eras Tour headliner a “follow” on Instagram, as reported by Uproxx and a number of fan accounts on social media. That tiny movement alone has sparked a wave of speculation that Parton may be gearing up to get in the studio with Swift — or, better yet, that the former might just be featured on the latter’s highly anticipated Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version).
“I’ll never shut up if Queen Dolly is on Debut TV,” one Swiftie tweeted Wednesday (Dec. 25), while another person commented, “IF DOLLY IS ON DEBUT TV I WILL NEVER RECOVER IT WILL BE THE BEST THING THATS EVER HAPPENED.”
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“IF DOLLY IS ON DEBUT TV IM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PERSON I’LL BECOME,” wrote a third fan.
Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version) is one of two re-records — the other being 2017’s Reputation — that Swift has left to release in her Taylor’s Version series, which has found the star dropping revamped versions of her first six albums since 2021. So far, she’s unveiled re-recordings of 2008’s Fearless, 2010’s Speak Now, 2012’s Red and 2014’s 1989.
Released in 2006, the 14-time Grammy winner’s self-titled debut LP marks the most distinctly country-sounding album in her discography — so it only makes sense that she would enlist Parton, one of the genre’s biggest legends, to help out. Swift has previously tapped other stars to duet on From the Vault tracks for her Taylor’s Version projects, including Keith Urban for “That’s When” from Fearless (Taylor’s Version), Phoebe Bridgers for “Nothing New” from Red (Taylor’s Version) and Paramore’s Hayley Williams for “Castles Crumbling” from Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).
Plus, Parton and Swift are openly fans of each other. In November 2023, the “Anti-Hero” singer told The Hollywood Reporter, “Dolly is a force of evolution and transformation in our industry, but she does it with such playful levity it almost looks effortless. Her sense of humor and mischief are easily my favorite things about her, because I think it forces the world to reconcile that a woman can be a serious artist and writer who also has raucous fun with it, can make people laugh and be in on every joke.”
“Taylor Swift is amazing what she has done with her career,” Parton said of Swift in an interview with Variety the following September. “I just admire her very much and how she’s handled her business, her personal life and what all she has meant to so many young people. [She’s] been a great inspiration.”
Beyoncé may have wrapped her Christmas Day Halftime Show performance, but famous fans such as Serena Williams and Reneé Rapp still aren’t over it.
Following the 32-time Grammy winner’s high-production showcase midway through the Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens game Wednesday (Dec. 25), the tennis legend took to X to gush about Bey’s star power. “Honestly can’t get enough of you,” Williams wrote moments after Bey exited the field.
A certain Mean Girls star had paragraphs’ worth of praise to share about Bey’s performance on Instagram Stories. “I’m not f—ing kidding ya’ll don’t GET IT!!!!!,” Rapp wrote over a black background. “WHY AM I CRYING DURING A DRUMLINE?? SHE’S BEEN IT SHE’S STILL IT SHE WILL ALWAYS BE IT!! BEYONCÉ TILL I DIE.”
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“like this is the worlds most beautiful person alive,” the “Snow Angel” singer continued in a second post. “you wanna talk about being a FAN?! SHE MADE A FAN OUT OF ME YOUNG AND KEPT IT THAT WAY HOW ARE YOU STILL THAT FINE AND PERFORMING LIKE THAT!!! full body chills.”
The “Break My Soul” vocalist’s halftime offering was certainly one for the history books, with the show marking the first time Bey performed any songs from her Billboard 200-topping album Cowboy Carter. Shaboozey, Post Malone, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts all joined her to help sing their respective collaborations from the Grammy-nominated LP — including “Sweet Honey Buckiin,’” “Levii’s Jeans” and “Blackbiird” — while Bey’s eldest daughter, Blue Ivy, accompanied her mom on the field for a few dance numbers.
During and after the show, Bey also received support from both of her Destiny’s Child bandmates. Michelle Williams was on hand at NRG Stadium to cheer the Ivy Park founder on, sharing an on-site photo on Instagram Stories during the performance, while Kelly Rowland reposted a clip on her Story of the “Irreplaceable” musician and Blue Ivy dancing together during “Texas Hold ‘Em” and wrote, “SHUT IT DOWN!!!!”
Luckily for Williams, Rapp, the Destiny’s Child women and every other person in the Beyhive who loved the musician’s showcase, Netflix will soon drop a Beyoncé Bowl special featuring footage from the 12-plus-minute set. The streamer aired the performance — plus the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers and Texans-Ravens games — live on Christmas Day.
Shortly after the show, Bey also teased that she has a new project coming in 2025, dropping a cryptic video of her riding a horse and swinging an American flag. “1.14.25,” reads a message at the end of the clip, which Live Nation reposted on socials — a move that has many fans convinced the star is planning to embark on a tour next year.
Kendrick Lamar was rap’s undoubted MVP of 2024 and Billboard‘s Greatest Pop Star of the Year, and Eminem thinks his epic run is going to continue into 2025. While Em and Lamar will be facing off in the best rap performance category at the 2025 Grammy Awards, Eminem believes that K. Dot is going to […]
Paris Hilton wants you to unwrap her, but she didn’t leave much to take off in a cheeky holiday video set to Ariana Grande‘s “Santa Tell Me” on Christmas Day. In an NSFW clip posted to Instagram on Wednesday (Dec. 25), the businesswoman leaves little to the imagination while wearing red pumps and matching fingerless […]
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce celebrated their second Christmas as a couple this year, and part of their to-do list appears to have been sending holiday presents to the Kansas City Chiefs tight end’s teammates and their families.
Two people who received gifts from the pop superstar and Kelce were Sheawna Weathersby and her boyfriend, Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones. The women’s clothing entrepreneur shared a photo of a cluster of presents sent by Swift and the tight end — which included an orange Louis Vuitton bag — on Instagram Stories Wednesday (Dec. 25) and wrote, “So blessed and grateful this holiday season … Thank yoouuu Tay Tay!”
The haul also featured two boxes with velvet ribbon and mixed-and-matched holiday wrapping, on one of which Swift wrote in her famous loopy handwriting, “Merry Christmas She She! Love, Tay Tay!”
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On a tag attached to a large Santa-print gift bag, the “Anti-Hero” singer drew a few stars and wrote, “Merry Christmas She She and Chris! Travis and Taylor.”
Swift and Weathersby have become pals in the year and a half since Swift first started dating the New Heights podcaster over the summer of 2023. In September, the two women shared selfies from their shared suite at Arrowhead Stadium following the Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals game, as well as posed for photos with Chariah Gordon — who is engaged to Kansas City wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. — which Weathersby shared on Instagram.
On Christmas Day this year, Kelce and his teammates were busy facing off against the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning 29-10. Exactly one year prior, Swift — wearing a custom “#87” Santa hat — celebrated Christmas at Arrowhead, where the Chiefs defeated the Las Vegas Raiders just two months before the Kansas City team won the 2024 Super Bowl.
The 14-time Grammy winner wasn’t present for the Chiefs’ Christmas Day game this year, but she did attend her boyfriend’s match against the Houston Texans four days prior. Swift arrived at Arrowhead Dec. 21 dressed for the season in a furry red coat and black cap, marking the first game she was able to catch since the early December close of her historic Eras Tour.
“The unbelievable Eras Tour has come to an end,” Kelce recently congratulated his superstar girlfriend on New Heights. “Shout out to everybody that was a part of that show. Obviously, it’s her music, her tour and everything, but that was a full production, man. That thing was the best tour in the world because of a lot of people, but mostly because of Taylor.”
Ozuna is bringing his success and life story to a new film called Odisea (Odyssey), marking his debut as executive producer; the project will be released under his own production company Bear with Oz Films. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Named after the artist’s 2017 debut […]
Mexican singer Dulce, an iconic figure of ballad and romantic music who conquered several generations in Mexico with her powerful voice, died at the age of 69 in Mexico City after medical complications, her family and staff announced on Wednesday (Dec. 25).
“With deep sorrow and sadness, we confirm the sensitive passing of our beloved Dulce, an exceptional artist and a wonderful person who left an indelible mark in the hearts of all those who knew her,” reads a statement posted on Dulce’s Instagram account, along with a photograph of the artist.
The news of the death of the singer born Bertha Elisa Noeggerath Cárdenas was confirmed by the National Association of Actors (ANDA), the union to which the singer belonged, in a message on social media.
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“The National Actors Association deeply regrets the passing of our colleague Bertha Elisa Noeggerath Cárdenas, ‘Dulce’, a member of our union. Our condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. May she rest in peace,” reads the message published on X.
After the artist’s sister Isabel Noeggerath announced the singer’s death in a brief Facebook post, a wave of messages from various Mexican show-business figures appeared on social networks.
“My dear Dulce, your departure makes me so sad, you don’t know how much I will miss you, dear friend, thank you for all the wonderful moments we shared my doll, thank you for your love, your friendship, for always joining your voice with mine and for always being for me. Fly very high my Dulce, I will always keep you in my heart, I adore you and I will admire you forever! A tremendous artist won the sky, lots of light on your path,” wrote singer Rocío Banquells on X.
“Farewell my dearest Dulce! What a great gift it was to share with you! I’m going to miss you!” expressed singer Manoella Torres on Instagram.
“Today we have to face a loss that fills us with sadness. Dulce was a person who left her mark on those of us who were fortunate enough to know her. Our hearts go out to her family, friends and colleagues in this difficult moment. Rest in peace,” wrote Argentine singer Amanda Miguel in a message on X.
Dulce was born on July 29, 1954, in the border city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, and was a renowned artist in the Latin music scene. According to what she told on several occasions, in 1974 she met José José, who by then was already a great figure in music, and who was captivated by her voice. He was the one who got her an audition with Polygram record executives, said the artist in an interview with Imagen Televisión. In 1978 she achieved fame by participating in different musical events, such as the Mallorca Festival and the Yamaha Song Festival in Tokyo.
With her fusion of ballad and pop, she made a place for herself in the music industry in Mexico and Latin America with hits such as “Tu Muñeca,” “Lobo,” “Déjame Volver Contigo,” “Aún lo Amo,” “Hielo,” “Fui Demasiado Fácil,” “Soy Una Dama,” “Cara Cara,” “Pájaro Herido,” “Échame la Culpa a Mí” and “Cuál de los Dos.” She also performed “Amor en Silencio,” the main theme of the 1988 soap opera of the same name, written by Marco Antonio Solís.
Between 2011 and 2018, Dulce was part of the GranDiosas tour, along with Rocío Banquells, María Conchita Alonso and Karina.
SEVENTEEN made sure its CARATs had a shiny and bright Christmas this year. The K-pop group delivered a rollicking take of Brenda Lee’s holiday classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” during The Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade special, which aired on ABC and Disney+ on Wednesday (Dec. 25). “These superstars have been selling out […]
