If you haven’t heard, the secret to surviving Hollywood is not talent – it is keeping Beyoncé happy.
At least according to the internet, it is.
Welcome to the world of celebrity conspiracies, a place where fame and admiration easily twist into suspicion, and the glitz of stardom becomes a screen for dark, unseen forces. In this world, public figures are more than performers; they are thought to be architects of hidden agendas, puppeteers whose strings extend beyond the stage.
Beyoncé has been called many things: a queen, an icon, a mogul. For her fans, she is a symbol of power and grace, a woman who has mastered the art of performance and built an empire on talent and resilience. Yet in some corners of the internet, there is a much darker portrait being painted.
A grainy YouTube video here, a TikTok theory there, another Reddit post over there – all claiming that Beyoncé has been pulling the strings behind the scenes. From obscure symbols to “hidden” messages in lyrics, fans and theorists alike are piecing together “evidence” that Queen Bey is not just a pop icon but the queen of dark secrets, too.
Destined child of conspiracy
For many, Beyoncé’s journey from Houston’s modest beginnings to global superstardom feels almost too monumental to attribute solely to talent and hard work. To them, her success is not just remarkable; it is suspicious.
Conspiracy theories have only grown alongside Beyoncé’s career. The speculation that she is connected to the Illuminati – once a dominant theory – has since shifted to claims of orchestrated murders linked to her rise and her involvement in shadowy, powerful circles that control the music industry.
Oops! They Diddy it again
The recent arrest of Sean John Combs, AKA Puff Daddy/P. Diddy, has reignited old conspiracy theories involving Beyoncé and the powerful elite in the entertainment industry. Diddy has long been embroiled in rumours of being linked to mysterious celebrity deaths.
These claims often refer back to the infamous East Coast-West Coast rap rivalry of the 90s, where Diddy’s business dealings were entangled with personal vendettas and escalating violence, which ultimately led to the deaths of Tupac and Biggie. Given his close friendship with Beyoncé, the idea that someone with his influence could manipulate Beyoncé’s rise to fame seems to some disturbingly plausible.
With his current legal troubles, conspiracy theorists have latched onto the notion that Diddy has done Beyoncé’s “dirty work,” orchestrating the fall or death of other celebrities to ensure her dominance in the entertainment industry (that is what friends are for, right?).
TikTok has revived these theories with a popular phrase “She Knows” trending widely, which theorists argue has a double meaning. The internet claimed that “She Knows” is a wordplay on “Sean Knowles,” which is a nod to Beyoncé’s last name, “Knowles,” combined with Diddy’s real name, Sean.
Adding fuel to the fire, J. Cole’s lyrics in his song “She Knows” (which inspired the popular phrase) have become a cornerstone of these theories, with many taking his words out of context to support claims of Beyoncé’s alleged connections to a “celebrity body count.”
Rest in peace to Aaliyah
Rest in peace to Left Eye (Left Eye)
Michael Jackson, I’ll see ya
Just as soon as I die (I die)
These lyrics are taken as a cryptic admission, with theorists pointing out that Aaliyah, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Michael Jackson all reached similar levels of fame as Beyoncé, and posed a threat to her dominance in the industry, only to meet untimely deaths. The theories surrounding Aaliyah’s passing are particularly detailed, often painting her as Beyoncé’s most direct competitor during the early 2000s.
Aaliyah, widely regarded as the “Princess of R&B”, was on the verge of breaking into superstardom before her tragic death in a plane crash in 2001. At the time, Beyoncé was transitioning from her role in Destiny’s Child to a solo artist, and theorists argue that Aaliyah’s immense popularity could have overshadowed Beyoncé’s emergence as a solo powerhouse. Aaliyah was not only dominating the R&B charts but was also gaining traction in Hollywood, starring in major films like Romeo Must Die and Queen of the Damned. Her influence extended beyond music into fashion and culture, and she was positioned to redefine the landscape of R&B and pop music.
Therefore, she must go.
Fuelling the speculation, theorists argue that J. Cole’s lyrics hint he knows too much. The phrase “Just as soon as I die” is taken as a warning that Diddy and Beyoncé might retaliate against him for exposing their supposed secrets. Fans point to this interpretation as evidence of an elaborate network of power and fear in the industry, with Beyoncé positioned at the centre.
This specific part of the song has become a popular background track in TikTok videos, often paired with clips of celebrities thanking Beyoncé during their acceptance speeches. According to theorists, these public acknowledgements are not merely gestures of gratitude but acts of self-preservation that celebrities do to avoid “falling out of favour” with Beyoncé, fearing they might share the alleged fates of stars who failed to show her proper respect.
These claims often cite high-profile incidents. For instance, Adele’s 2017 GRAMMYs moment, where she broke her Album of the Year award and dedicated it to Beyoncé, is frequently interpreted as more than just an emotional gesture. It is seen as an act of allegiance to maintain goodwill with Beyoncé. Similarly, Kanye West’s infamous interruption of Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMAs – where he declared Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” is one of the best music videos ever – has been reframed as Kanye “protecting” Taylor from potential backlash or worse, aligning her with Beyoncé’s success. According to theorists, Taylor has even allegedly acknowledged this as a heroic act on his part.
Theories like these flourish, where quick clips and catchy hashtags breathe new life into narratives that might otherwise fade away.
Guilty until proven innocent?
To understand why some people are genuinely convinced by such theories and why Beyoncé often becomes the target of blame for events seemingly unrelated to her, I interviewed Naythan, a die-hard believer in the darker side of Beyoncé’s fame.
For Naythan, the evidence is everywhere – if you know where to look.
One of Naythan’s strongest beliefs centres on Beyoncé’s song “Daughter,” which he interprets as a criminal confession. “She clearly admitted to murdering Jay-Z’s mistress here, lol,” he claimed. He referenced long-standing rumours about Jay-Z’s alleged affair with Cathy White, who was reportedly pregnant with his child in 2011 but tragically passed away shortly after giving birth.
“And guess what? Beyoncé announced her pregnancy in 2011 too, but she’s lying,” Naythan added, showing me a video of Beyoncé’s pregnant belly allegedly deflating as she sat down during a talk show, which he claimed was proof she faked her pregnancy. Naythan pointed to specific lyrics from “Daughter” to support his theory:
Your body laid out on these filthy floors
Your bloodstains on my custom coutures
I really tried to stay cool
But your arrogance disturbed my solitude
Now I ripped your dress and you’re all black and blue
Look what you made me do
“She killed Cathy because she was jealous of her,” he concluded. “Blue Ivy is Cathy’s child, not hers.” Naythan further argued that Beyoncé admitted everything herself through the song’s description, which mentions her “struggling with violent thoughts in the face of infidelity.” To Naythan, this aligns perfectly with the timeline of Cathy’s death.
Another striking example Naythan brings up is the recent trend tied to Diddy’s arrest (again). He insists that Beyoncé is fully aware of the alleged “manipulations and sacrifices” required to maintain her position and also complicit in them.
“They’re BFFs. How could she not know?” he argued.
Imagining secrets where none exist
When I asked Naythan about his sources of evidence, he told me, “The entire internet is talking about it. Facebook, Instagram Shorts, Reddit posts – you just have to look.”
He was dismissive when I questioned why he did not rely on traditional or credible outlets. “The news can write and report anything. How do you know it’s the truth? It’s all controlled by the government. They only show us what they want us to see,” he said, as though the mainstream media were part of a larger conspiracy to suppress the “real story.”
Conversely, the internet is not controlled by the government, according to him. That is why it is more trustworthy. “It’s people like us sharing what we find.” To Naythan, the chaos of unverified online posts was not a flaw but a feature; the lack of oversight made it more authentic in his eyes.
It became evident, however, that his browsing habits likely shaped the conclusions he was defending. By engaging mainly with platforms and communities that fed into his pre-existing beliefs, Naythan seemed caught in a loop of confirmation bias. Rather than seeking diverse perspectives or critically analysing his sources, he gravitated toward content that reinforced his narrative.
In Naythan’s view, the “truth” was not about facts or logic – it was about rejecting the mainstream story and believing he was part of an exclusive group that knew the “real” story. This made the online sources he relied on feel trustworthy and essential, like a hidden treasure of secret information only a few people could access. Being in the know gave him a sense of power, even if it was not based on anything solid, which played into the age-old human desire to uncover secrets and expose supposed hidden agendas.
However, the sources conspiracy theorists like Naythan cite are often unreliable – frequently snippets of fan-made videos, half-remembered rumours, and selective readings of interviews or song lyrics. The evidence is usually circumstantial, often reliant on vague interpretations or dubious associations that do little more than feed into pre-existing narratives.
Dr McNaughton-Cassill explains that conspiracy theories operate in a self-sustaining loop: when confronted with disconfirming evidence, believers often dismiss it as propaganda or cover-up. This helps explain Naythan’s distrust of traditional media and his reliance on social media platforms for information. His insistence that mainstream outlets are controlled and untrustworthy fits McNaughton-Cassill’s observation that conspiracy theorists favour sources that align with their worldview, even when those sources lack credibility.
While these Beyoncé rumours might seem outlandish to many, it speaks to a broader tendency to dehumanise public figures, viewing their success as evidence of secret, sinister forces rather than the culmination of talent and effort. For some, this version of reality is infinitely more entertaining – and perhaps even more comforting – than the idea that Beyoncé’s success is simply her own.
Houston’s Pride
On the other side of the conspiracy debate are those who view Beyoncé not as a shadowy figure but as a cultural icon who has leveraged her fame to advance social change, empowerment, and philanthropy. To them, Beyoncé’s story is one of transformation – from a Houston girl with dreams to a global powerhouse who uses her influence to amplify marginalised voices and break barriers for women of colour.
I talked to Lisa, a Beyoncé fan who sees Beyoncé’s legacy in this light and finds the conspiracy theories misguided and dismissive. “If you look at her works, from the Black pride message in ‘Formation’ to her creation of scholarships for young women of colour, she’s committed to uplifting communities and not some evil witch that these people are saying,” Lisa explained as she told me about Beyoncé’s philanthropic work, much of it under the radar.
In 2017, Beyoncé launched the Formation Scholars program to award scholarships to “female incoming, current, or graduate students pursuing studies in creative arts, music, literature, or African-American studies,” signalling her support for the next generation of Black women leaders. She has also been a steadfast donor to charities like UNICEF and Global Citizen, responding to global crises and supporting health and educational initiatives for underprivileged communities. These highlighted a woman who has continually chosen to channel her resources toward meaningful change.
Lisa continued about how Beyoncé’s music has been a tool for empowerment. Songs like “Flawless,” “Run the World (Girls),” and “Brown Skin Girl” have served as anthems for women’s empowerment and pride in Black identity, reaching listeners across the globe with messages of self-love, resilience, and solidarity. Her albums, often references to Black history and Southern culture, connect her listeners to a deeper heritage.
Beyoncé’s commitment to using her art for advocacy has also come with personal risks. By aligning herself with movements like Black Lives Matter, she places herself at odds with audiences who view such stances as political or controversial. But for her, the risks are outweighed by the possibility of inspiring change. Through her work, she has opened dialogues about identity, race, and power – discussions that often provoke discomfort in those who would rather focus on conspiracies than confront systemic issues. Her high-profile support of movements such as #MeToo and her outspoken support for the LGBTQ+ community add to her role as an advocate for inclusivity and equality, far removed from the secretive figure conspiracy theories paint her to be.
“Honestly, I think some people just have a hard time believing in the success of strong, independent women, especially women of colour,” Lisa said.
Curious, I asked Lisa how she felt about Naythan’s interpretation of Beyoncé’s song “Daughter.” Her disappointment was evident. She explained that Naythan’s theory completely misrepresents the deeper themes of the song. “It’s about exploring her imperfections, not admitting to some made-up crime.”
While the official description of “Daughter” did portray a character (Beyoncé) grappling with violent impulses in the face of infidelity, the main focus was how those impulses prompted her to reflect on inherited traits from her father – both protective and destructive. The song explores her dual role as a defender and a potential aggressor, highlighted by her warning that she is “not harmless” and capable of embodying her father’s combative nature. However, this is not a confession of violence; instead, Beyoncé reflects on these traits to delve into broader themes of human flaws and inherited behaviours.
To Lisa, Beyoncé is far from a shadowy puppet master; she embodies a public figure who has succeeded in an industry where few Black women have reached her level, and she uses that success to make a difference.
The Bey-lief System
The contrast between these perspectives is stark. Conspiracy theories try to reduce Beyoncé to a puppet in some hidden plot, ignoring her real power and complexity. On the other hand, those who see her in a more grounded way recognise her as more than just a celebrity – she is an artist, entrepreneur, activist, and mother, with a positive impact that goes beyond entertainment and touches on real cultural and social issues.
Today, with so much information at our fingertips, it is easy to find “evidence” to back up any opinion, no matter how unlikely. For believers, it feels exciting to spot hidden symbols or patterns—it gives them the thrill of thinking they know something secret and powerful, even if the evidence is shaky at best. On the flip side, skeptics focus on hard facts and actual actions, writing off the wild theories as pure fantasy.
These polarised perspectives highlight a deeper issue: the human tendency toward selective belief. When seeking information that aligns with our existing feelings, we often construct narratives that feel comfortable and affirming. The real challenge is to identify this bias within ourselves and critically evaluate our interpretations – whether they pertain to celebrities or the broader world.
It is easier to imagine hidden forces or secret dealings than to accept that someone could rise through talent and hard work alone. Beyoncé, in this sense, becomes a mirror, reflecting our tendency to distrust success and explain it through fantastical narratives. For many, these conspiracies fulfil a need for mystery or entertainment, turning her every move into hidden “meaning,” her lyrics into codes, and her public appearances into puzzles.
In the end, these stories tell us less about Beyoncé and more about ourselves – our biases, fears, and the desire to find patterns where none exist. As her legacy continues to grow, we have a choice: embrace her achievements as they are, or distort them into tales that satisfy our preconceptions. Perhaps the next time we encounter a sensational story, we should ask if it is true and why it resonates with us.
Pseudonyms are used to respect the privacy of the interviewees.
