6 details you may have missed from Beyoncé’s Christmas halftime show on Netflix
Beyoncé performed at halftime during the Netflix-streamed game against the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans on Christmas Day.
Beyoncé took over the field at halftime during the Christmas Day game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans, which streamed live on Netflix. And it was such a visual and musical spectacle that you might’ve missed some things.
The Houston native performed eight songs from her “Cowboy Carter” album during her 12-minute performance at NRG Stadium in Houston. The spectacle fittingly included several nods to Texas, Mexican, and rodeo culture and an appearance from her daughter, Blue Ivy.
Since you might have missed some easter eggs, cameos, references, and details, we rounded them up:
Beyoncé’s performance included several nods to her hometown culture of Houston.
Beyoncè riding a white horse during her Christmas Day performance on Netflix.
During her performance, Beyoncé included several nods to Texas and Houston culture, superficially Western and rodeo culture.
She began the sprawling show singing “16 Carraiges” while sitting on a white horse. She wore a custom white cowboy hat designed by ASN Hats, a Cowboy Carter sash, and a Roberto Cavalli coat from the designer’s archive.
The horse was pulled by a man always wearing a cowboy hat, wide belt buckle, and cowboy boots.
As the horse walked into the stadium, it passed several low-rider cars, popular in Houston, that sat in front of an American flag seemingly wrapped in plastic.
Later in the performance, Beyoncé performed a line dance, another nod to Texas and rodeo culture.
Cameos in the performance also made clear that Bey wanted to celebrate rodeo culture, such as the inclusion of bull-riding icon Myrtis Dightman, Jr. and the first Black Rodeo Queen in Arkansas, Ja’Dayia Kursh.
Beyoncé also paid tribute to Mexican culture.
Beyonce on a floating stage during the halftime performance.
During her performance on the field, Beyoncé said, “One, two, tres!” It seems as if the pop star was attempting to include the 2.7 million Spanish speakers in the city of Houston.
One of her outfits also resembled the pattern of a mariachi singer.
Lastly, Mexican Cowgirl Melanie Rivera was spotted among the crowd of performers.
Beyoncé performed with her daughter, Blue Ivy.
Beyoncé performing with her daughter Blue Ivy.
Beyoncé has collaborated with her firstborn, Blue Ivy, many times over her career, and Christmas Day was the latest. It marked the first time the 12-year-old performed onstage with her mom since 2023’s Renaissance World Tour.
While Blue Ivy performed choreography behind and beside Beyoncé, she notably appeared to be the only dancer on the field who didn’t wear a platinum blonde wig.
Beyoncé’s longtime dance captain, Ashley Everett, returned.
Ashley Everett (center) performing with Beyoncé.
The biggest Beyhive fans spotted Beyoncé’s longtime dance captain, Ashley Everett, was among the hundreds of dancers on the field. Her appearance comes after she was absent from Bey’s Renassaince World Tour.
Everett became famous as one of two dancers in Beyoncé’s iconic “Single Ladies” music video.
Even the Houston Texans owners got in on the fun.
Houston Texans owner Cal McNair and his wife, Hannah.
During the performance, Beyoncé recreated a traditional homecoming parade, complete with a car caravan and the appearance of two “homecoming” queens — Miss Rodeo Texas Princess 2004 and Miss Rodeo Texas 2015.
In one of the cars was also Texans owner Cal McNair and his wife Hannah — another nod to Houston.
The performance had a homecoming feel.
Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul Marching Band.
Beyoncé had her own homecoming, as the Houston native returned to perform during this Christmas Day performance. She made that plain by bringing a Texas homecoming game vibe to her performance, complete with drum majors, line dancing, and performers sporting sashes. She also featured 200 members of Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul Marching Band.
