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
New York County Ballot Lawsuit Sparks Election Integrity Firestorm on Social Media

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

Screenshot: Instagram

The Life and Times of Soul Singer Al Green

In honor of his 80th birthday, we’re looking at the life of the legendary soul singer, Al Green …
Inside the Unnecessary Renovations Trump Is Making In and Around the White House

Inside the Unnecessary Renovations Trump Is Making In and Around the White House

Here’s all of the changes Trump’s made to and around the White House, including his controversial ballroom construction and latest triumphal arch …
Black Elected Official Raises Alarm as Louisiana GOP Moves to Axe His Office

Black Elected Official Raises Alarm as Louisiana GOP Moves to Axe His Office

Louisiana Republicans are on a mission to get rid of an elected office held by an exonerated Black man …
The Bizarre Reason a Black TikTok Psychic is Appealing $10M Judgement in Idaho Murder Case

The Bizarre Reason a Black TikTok Psychic is Appealing $10M Judgement in Idaho Murder Case

Ashley Guillard is officially appealing the $10 million verdict against her after a jury ruled her TikTok claims about the Idaho student murders were defamatory …
Victor Glover, The First Black Man to Travel To The Moon, Has a Family You Will Love

Victor Glover, The First Black Man to Travel To The Moon, Has a Family You Will Love

Black Excellence: Victor Glover’s deep love for his “Cocoa skin” family will make you proud …
Papoose Gives Claressa Shields Engagement Rumors a Reality Check

Papoose Gives Claressa Shields Engagement Rumors a Reality Check

During a VladTV sit-down, rapper Papoose addressed long-standing engagement chatter regarding his relationship with boxer Claressa Shields …
Incarcerated Mothers Are on the Frontlines of the Black Maternal Health Crisis

Incarcerated Mothers Are on the Frontlines of the Black Maternal Health Crisis

This Black Maternal Health Week, we’re looking at the impact of reproductive injustice on incarcerated Black mothers who face increased health risks …
Pastor Joel Osteen Stuns Fans With New Reaction to Druski Megachurch Parody

Pastor Joel Osteen Stuns Fans With New Reaction to Druski Megachurch Parody

Months after Druski’s viral parody of Christian megachuches broke the internet, Houston televangelist Joel Osteen is finally breaking his silence …
Family Seeks Justice For Influencer, Ashlee Jenae, After Suspicious Death While On Vacation in Tanzania

Family Seeks Justice For Influencer, Ashlee Jenae, After Suspicious Death While On Vacation in Tanzania

Influencer Ashlee Jenae’s family is demanding answers after she died on her birthday trip to Tanzania …
Why Anti-Redistricting Ads Targeting Black Voters in VA Have Civil Rights Leaders Outraged

Why Anti-Redistricting Ads Targeting Black Voters in VA Have Civil Rights Leaders Outraged

Ahead of a special election in Virginia, Black residents received shocking messages via phone and mail invoking Jim Crow’s dark past …
Massive Faith Strategy Summit at Yale to Save the 2026 Midterms

Massive Faith Strategy Summit at Yale to Save the 2026 Midterms

Barber is hosting the 2026 Public Theology & Public Policy Conference to organize Churches for the midterms this fall …
Maryland Mother Devastated After Learning Her Baby’s 'Ashes' Weren’t Human At All

Maryland Mother Devastated After Learning Her Baby’s ‘Ashes’ Weren’t Human At All

Michelle Bivens thought she was keeping her son close after she cremated him, until an expert determined the ashes weren’t human …
Why the Deeply Racist Nixon-Reagan Tapes Are Only a Surprise to Those Not Paying Attention

Why the Deeply Racist Nixon-Reagan Tapes Are Only a Surprise to Those Not Paying Attention

While the explicit nature of the “monkey” and “cannibal” slurs is jarring, it sits within a long, documented tradition of presidential prejudice that has shaped the nation’s policies …
Zendaya's Character in 'The Drama' Was Bad, But We Need to Talk About the Real Villain

Zendaya’s Character in ‘The Drama’ Was Bad, But We Need to Talk About the Real Villain

There’s a lot of rightful online chatter about Zendaya’s character in her latest movie. But there’s an even bigger person we need to talk about! …
Why Black Women Are More Affected by Postpartum Depression, But Less Likely to Receive Help

Why Black Women Are More Affected by Postpartum Depression, But Less Likely to Receive Help

Black mothers are disproportionately affected by postpartum depression, but often go without proper diagnosis or care. During Black Maternal Health Week, we highlight the urgent gaps in maternal mental health support …
The Truth About Why This Former Congolese President Was Sentenced to Death

The Truth About Why This Former Congolese President Was Sentenced to Death

Even after a death sentence forced former Congolese President Joseph Kabila back into exile, his story is not over yet …
Why Parents of the 'Black-ish' Generation Are Choosing HBCUs Now

Why Parents of the ‘Black-ish’ Generation Are Choosing HBCUs Now

As more parents rethink what college readiness looks like, historically Black colleges and universities are emerging as a preferred path in today’s shifting educational landscape …
Judge Mathis Finally Secures His Wife Back and the Internet Is Overjoyed!

Judge Mathis Finally Secures His Wife Back and the Internet Is Overjoyed!

Judge Greg Mathis told his fans and followers that he was going to do whatever it took to get his wife back. Now, it looks like his efforts have finally paid off! …
NAACP Joins the Growing Call to Remove Trump From Office Now

NAACP Joins the Growing Call to Remove Trump From Office Now

As President Trump’s approval rating continues to drop, there is a growing call for his removal from office from both sides of the aisle …
Everything You Need to Know About Jackie Young, The WNBA’s First Million-Dollar Player

Everything You Need to Know About Jackie Young, The WNBA’s First Million-Dollar Player

The Las Vegas Aces guard made history as the league’s first seven-figure player …