Beyoncé's Effect on Houston

My experience at the Renaissance World Tour

It's been a month since I attended the Renaissance World Tour and I am still having flashbacks to the moments that will forever be engrained in my mind. The city of Houston had prepared all week for the "homecoming" of Queen Bey and I was no different. Meticulously placing rhinestones and pouring glitter on my shoes was one of my top priorities of the week I had been planning since the album dropped in July 2022.

As a member of the #BeyHive, one knows that when Beyoncé changes her profile picture on her social media accounts, it's big news. The bloggers, influencers, and fan accounts all swarm to the internet to shout the news that something big is coming. I waited with bated breath for the upcoming news that would be "RENAISSANCE act 1." Fans were guessing which mystery merch boxes in the album pre-order set would have the coolest t-shirt design, and I just went with #1. I remember thinking, "Only Beyoncé would have me ordering merch for an album I haven't even heard yet."

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When the album dropped in July, there were mixed reviews. Some were confused and said they didn't like house music and pleaded for Bey to bring back her R&B music...but they totally missed the mark. The lyrics, the samples, and the carefully thought-out euphoric rhythms made the album what it was ––– love. It was an outpouring of love that resonated among The Hive...and eventually, the nay-sayers caught on. Songs like "Church Girl," "Break My Soul," "Cuff It," "Pure/Honey," and "Summer Renaissance" were the catalysts to letting go of any fears and breaking through that barrier in order to feel uninhibited and free. Yep. I caught all that she was throwing...including her sexier love letters like "Plastic Off the Sofa," "Virgos Groove," and "All Up in Your Mind." As a fan who loves when Beyoncé articulates love, hurt, and cockiness, this album just does it!

Needless to say, I knew a tour was coming. So, I started making a list of different disco, metallic, and even alien-inspired outfits/costumes I might want to wear. I still hadn't decided on my costume when the RWT began in May 2023. As the internet, once again, was set ablaze by her couture outfits, I felt even more excited to choose my outfit...because silver wasn't the only color Queen Bey had chosen to rock, and that meant I could let my imagination concoct whatever outfit made me feel free and ready to experience the Renaissance!

I decided on a metallic magenta outfit, a magenta sequined captain hat (resembling the costuming in the "Love On Top" video), and bedazzled nails. My gel nail kit came in handy with this outfit and I was ready to bring all of my hard work together to pull off an amazing outfit. I was ready for night one of the Houston concert.

Me and hubby's pre-show photo session

The city of Houston was buzzing. Restaurants, radio stations, bars, and clubs all celebrated "Queen Bey's Homecoming." All week long, there were ads and Instagram Reels trying to convince me to spend money pre-gaming for the concert of the century. However, I didn't give in. Instead, I drank water and tried to eat my veggies because I knew that I would be –– unapologetically –– singing and dancing the night away.

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My husband and I decided we could beat traffic and the surcharge of Uber and Lyft by parking at the Metro Park & Ride, and then catching the MetroRail to the NRG Stadium. This turned out to be the greatest idea my husband ever came up with because it was seamless. We arrived around 5:30 pm and got the chance to see everyone rocking merch tees, chrome, metallic dresses, glittery cowboy boots, hats, veils, futuristic goggles, and more! The clips from concerts before ours had set the tone and everyone knew the assignment. The closer we got to the stadium, the more beauty we saw.

There were people snapping photos and videos of themselves in their outfits, people taking pictures in front of a sign that said "Htown Beyhive," and people complimenting each other and showing each other love.

As the sun was setting, we merged into "lines" in order to slowly enter through our gates and the sunlight shimmered off of everyone's metallic garb. The hum of excitement was in the air as we entered and my excitement grew. We had the chance to eat, grab bracelets some of the stadium workers were handing out, and were in our seats by 7:30 pm. I had no idea of the compelling experience I was in for. The wait was more than worth it. I was now witnessing the evolution of the best performer alive, serving us a connection of love, positivity, and badassery.

The Gates of NRG Stadium

How I Almost Met Debbie Allen

“Who is your role model?” This is the question that stopped my thoughts when my 8th grade dance teacher was in the process of creating our “Blackout” show programs. I toiled over this question in my head for what seemed like an hour before I wrote down, “Oprah Winfrey.” After all, she did seem like the perfect role model, if I had to choose from the limited encyclopedia of women in power that everyone undoubtedly adores and respects. When my mother saw the finished version of the dance show program, she expressed that she was hurt that I didn’t choose her and I felt conflicted.

I knew that a “role model” was someone I should aspire to be or someone whose characteristics I admired, so I could have chosen my mother. However, I was still thinking of someone I could become and someone whose steps I could follow to reach my ultimate goal of success…but what did I want? Who did I want to become in life? I didn’t find this answer until I left Austin, TX to experience college life in Houston.

Lam Nguyen (Left); Zondra Victor-Johnson (Right).

In Fall 2013, I was an office intern for Aurora Picture Show, a non-profit cinema not too far from the University of Houston. I got to work events during the Houston Cinema Arts Festival and earned the chance to attend any events my pass gave me access to! I saw a few movies, but also attended the highly anticipated Houston Ballet documentary showing that would be followed by a Q & A. The program displayed featured guests and I saw Debbie Allen on that list. I knew I had to at least be in her presence. I was still a part-time dancer at the time, taking classes whenever I could manipulate my college credit hours to align with my Media Production degree program.

I dragged my fellow classmate, Lam, along with me to sit in the crowd, which was a sea of unknown faces. For the record, I also knew no one on the panel…except for the star I came to see. As everyone was murmuring and preparing for the presentation to begin, I heard boots walking down the aisle. I thought, “That’s her!” It had to be since she was the only female on the panel today. I turned to my left, with all the casualness I could muster, and I felt like I was in slow motion. Ms. Allen had on high boots, a dark-colored peacoat, and perfect, long hair that flowed when she walked. After she passed me by, I had an unending smile on my face.

I waited impatiently until the end of the documentary for the Q&A. There was question after question for the other panelists and then…Ms. Allen’s turn. She had a few questions, but not as many as the other panelists. I thought, “Maybe it’s because she was a last-minute addition to the program. Or is it because no one else in this room understands exactly how much she has contributed to the dance and film industries?” There was silence when the time came for her to ask if there were any more questions. Now was my chance. If not now, then when?

The most unnerving thing happened during that silence…I couldn’t speak or think of the one question I had thought to ask. My mind was racing as my palms became clammy. Suddenly, my thoughts and lower-level panic attack were interrupted by the announcement that the Q&A was now over. Should I run down these stairs and introduce myself? My friend, Lam, tried to encourage me to go up and speak, but I was too shy.

My heart was torn and my mind was puzzled as we trailed out of the theater. This was the very first time I had been starstruck, but I knew it had been something more. I realized that Debbie Allen was my first role model.