Photo Story Of How Blue Ivy Prepared to To Slay The Cowboy Carter Stage

From Beyoncé’s 2011 pregnancy reveal all the way to the performing in arenas, Blue Ivy was bound to be an icon.

If there’s any one celebrity kid we’re all rooting for, it’s Blue Ivy Carter! The oldest daughter of Beyoncé and Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has been a star all her life, but in recent years, Blue Ivy stepped into the spotlight and onto the big stage, making a name for herself and showing off her moves.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Fashion Icon Andre Leon Talley’s Best Style Statements

After touring and performing at stadiums with her mother for the “Renaissance World Tour,” Blue Ivy is back for more on the “Cowboy Carter Tour.” And this time, she’s showing out! To celebrate just how far the 13-year-old has come from when we watched Beyoncé reveal her pregnancy in 2011, here’s the story of how Blue Ivy Carter became a dancing star.

Beyoncé at the 2011 VMAs

In order to tell the story, we have to start with the moment the world found out about Beyoncé’s pregnancy. Dressed in a glittery tuxedo, the Texas superstar performed “Love on Top,” and literally dropped the mic before revealing she and her husband were pregnant with their first born. Beyoncé went on to perform several more times as her due date approached, and that’s probably how Blue got all her moves.

Blue Ivy in Rehearsals With Beyoncé

@popniche

Adorable moment of blue interrupting her mamas performance #beyonce #fyp #beyhive #backstage #rehearsal

♬ original sound – Pop niche

When Blue was as young as two years old, she was spotted helping Jay and Bey rehearse. Most notably, ahead of the couple’s 2014 Grammy performance of “Drunk in Love,” Blue could be heard singing along to the lyrics while watching her mom practice.

‘Brown Skin Girl’

We first got a glimpse of Blue Ivy’s stardom on the Grammy Award winning song, “Brown Skin Girl,” in 2020. Blue was featured on the track and in the music video.

Performing in Dubai

What better way to perform your award winning song than at an exclusive performance in Dubai with you own mother??

Watching Blue Ivy Grow

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Winter

Throughout her early childhood, Blue Ivy stayed mostly away from the spotlight… but obviously, she had bigger and better dreams for herself.

The Story Behind Blue Ivy at the ‘Renaissance’ Tour

Photo: Getty Images Ezra Shaw

According to Beyoncé, it was Blue who told her mom she wanted to perform. Bey was hesitant at first, saying “Blue told me she was ready to perform, and I told her no.” She continued saying “I did not think it was an appropriate place for an 11-year-old on a stadium stage.” Eventually, the mother and daughter made a deal: “If you practice and you show your commitment, I’ll let you do one show,” the singer said.

Blue Ivy Joins for the ‘Renaissance’ Tour

Screenshot: Instagram

In 2023, Blue Ivy officially hit the stage at the Paris stop of the “Renaissance World Tour.” The crowd went wild as the then-11-year-old showed off her moves during the “Power” dance break.

Haters Gon’ Hate

Following Blue’s debut, the reviews were mixed. While many folks were proud of her for performing on one of the biggest stages in Europe, others had a lot of criticism for her dance skills. @Lumiiii2028 wrote on X saying “So stiff. Shaped like her dad… Please stop lying to this child.” Another user, @sisibah4, tweeted “i’m sorry no disrespect but she’s so boring.”

Getting Better

Blue didn’t let the haters get to her. Instead, she kept practicing and performing as the tour went on. If you look close enough, you can tell when Blue became more confident on stage.

Blue Ivy and Amari Marshall

As the shows went on, Blue got better and better. Here, you can see Beyoncé’s dance captain, Amari Marshall, in close proximity to Blue. According to Bey herself, she trusts Marshall with watching over her daughter.

The Final Night

By the final night of “Renaissance,” Blue Ivy was a certified star.

World Premiere Of Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King

Photo: Getty Images Jesse Grant

Blue Ivy wasn’t just trying her hand at dancing. She was also getting into her acting bag with Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” in 2024. In the film, she voiced Kiara.

Beyoncé Bowl

Even though the “Renaissance Tour” was over, that didn’t mean Blue Ivy was! She joined Beyoncé during the 2024 Christmas NFL halftime show.

Night 1 of ‘Cowboy Carter Tour’

It looks like fans can expect to see Blue Ivy perform throughout the “Cowboy Carter Tour.” She helped kicked off the summer tour in Los Angeles. Not only did she steal the shine during “America Has a Problem,” but Miss Carter also held her own during a dance break for “Deju Vu,” one of Beyoncé’s earliest hits.

Blue Ivy, Rumi Carter and Beyoncé

Photo: Mason Poole

Rumi Carter also hit the stage alongside her older sister and mother to perform “Protector” off the “Cowboy Carter” album.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Proof Trump’s Plan to Dismantle the Black Middle Class Is Actually Working

Proof Trump’s Plan to Dismantle the Black Middle Class Is Actually Working

Trump claimed to be the best president for Black folks since Abraham Lincoln, but his recent track record tells a totally different story …
Best Michael Jackson Videos, Ranked by Viral Views

Best Michael Jackson Videos, Ranked by Viral Views

Michael Jackson’s upcoming biopic has us looking back at the music videos he left behind that will allow us to enjoy his gifts for years to come. Let’s take a look at his most popular! …
Fans Are Obsessed With Blue Ivy's New Body guard

Fans Are Obsessed With Blue Ivy’s New Body guard

A viral clip of Blue Ivy’s security detail has sparked comparisons to Beyoncé’s longtime bodyguard “Julius,” igniting a new wave of buzz across social media …
Rochester Family Cremates Missing Woman After Being Told She Was Dead, Only to Learn That She's Really Alive

Rochester Family Cremates Missing Woman After Being Told She Was Dead, Only to Learn That She’s Really Alive

A Rochester, New York, family is now suing after they say police told them their missing daughter died, when she was really alive in another state …
Ex-Alabama Football Player Allegedly Used Wigs and Durags in Sophisticated Scheme to Defraud NFL Stars

Ex-Alabama Football Player Allegedly Used Wigs and Durags in Sophisticated Scheme to Defraud NFL Stars

Federal authorities allege that Luther Davis and CJ Evins committed wire fraud that targeted several NFL players …
'The Blind Side' Actor Quinton Aaron Addresses Fake Wife Scandal In New Interview

‘The Blind Side’ Actor Quinton Aaron Addresses Fake Wife Scandal In New Interview

Quinton Aaron’s road to recovery has been overshadowed by the drama surrounding his ‘wife.’ And now, he’s speaking up about it for the first time …
Junelle Lyles Defends Husband Noah Lyles From Online Outrage to His 'First Look' Reaction

Junelle Lyles Defends Husband Noah Lyles From Online Outrage to His ‘First Look’ Reaction

Olympian Junelle Lyles is standing up for her new husband after a viral video seemingly painted him in a negative light. But folks online aren’t open to hearing it! …
A Full Timeline Of Singer D4vd's Mysterious Case of Celeste Rivas' Death

A Full Timeline Of Singer D4vd’s Mysterious Case of Celeste Rivas’ Death

D4vd has been arrested in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas. Now, we’re catching you up on everything that led to his arrest …
Louisiana Father Kills His 7 Kids in One of the Nation's Deadliest Mass Shootings in Over 2 Years

Louisiana Father Kills His 7 Kids in One of the Nation’s Deadliest Mass Shootings in Over 2 Years

In a tragedy described as the most devastating event in the history of Shreveport, Louisiana, a dad killed eight children in a mass shooting Sunday …
Exclusive: Rev. Al Sharpton on How the Country Can Recover From the Damage Trump Has Done

Exclusive: Rev. Al Sharpton on How the Country Can Recover From the Damage Trump Has Done

In an exclusive interview, Rev. Al Sharpton explains exactly how the country can recover from the damage done by the Trump administration …
Prince's Bassist Details His Unusual Behavior Months Before Passing

Prince’s Bassist Details His Unusual Behavior Months Before Passing

Mark “BrownMark” Brown breaks his silence to shed light on Prince’s troubling behavior before his devastating passing …
Dementia Starts Earlier Than You Think. Here's Why Black America Must Protect Brain Health Now

Dementia Starts Earlier Than You Think. Here’s Why Black America Must Protect Brain Health Now

Black Americans are twice as likely to get dementia, but it’s not inevitable. An expert breaks down the types, early warning signs, the factors behind the disparity, and what you can do now …
Cardi B Tour Finale Offers Viral Lesson on Why Nobody Is Too Powerful to Be Polite

Cardi B Tour Finale Offers Viral Lesson on Why Nobody Is Too Powerful to Be Polite

Cardi B crashed out on Instagram live after State Farm Arena staff were rude to her before her final concert in Atlanta …
Why The Black Barbershop Is The Only Space For Black Men To Be Pampered and Safe

Why The Black Barbershop Is The Only Space For Black Men To Be Pampered and Safe

For Black men, the barbershop is more than just a place to get a haircut, it’s a place where they are truly cared for and seen …
Black Law Workforce Hits Decade Low Under Trump Anti-DEI Shifts

Black Law Workforce Hits Decade Low Under Trump Anti-DEI Shifts

Following the 2026 NALP report, experts warn that the systematic dismantling of DEI policies under the Trump administration is reversing a decade of progress for the Black middle class …
Expert Tips to Help Black Families Navigate Dementia Care

Expert Tips to Help Black Families Navigate Dementia Care

In many Black families, caregivers pour their hearts into taking care of loved ones. Here’s what an expert wants families to know about managing dementia care …
5 Things You Won't See In New Michael Jackson Movie

5 Things You Won’t See In New Michael Jackson Movie

‘Michael’ arrives this week—but don’t expect these storylines to make the final cut …
Charles Barkely And Michael Jordan Squash Their Decades-Long Beef

Charles Barkely And Michael Jordan Squash Their Decades-Long Beef

After more than ten years of silence, the two NBA icons have set aside their differences and reconciled …
Why Millions are Risking AI Medical Advice Despite Fading Trust

Why Millions are Risking AI Medical Advice Despite Fading Trust

A new study found that consumer trust in AI as a medical decision-making tool is waning …
No, Janet Jackson Isn't In the New Michael Movie and Here's Why

No, Janet Jackson Isn’t In the New Michael Movie and Here’s Why

Michael and Janet Jackson shared a close relationship, but she won’t be featured in his highly-anticipated biopic. We’re breaking down why she’s not in the film …