We thought Beyoncé's year of success in 2018 [1] was unbeatable — that is, until 2019 rolled around. Not only did she bless our Netflix queues with a documentary, but she also dropped some of the year's most inspirational songs [2] and returned from a red carpet hiatus to promote her role in Disney's The Lion King [3]. Away from the spotlight, she enjoyed living carefree with friends and family at fun get-togethers. Look ahead to reflect on some of Bey's best moments and accomplishments of the year!
She serenaded her mum at a surprise birthday party.
In honour of Tina Knowles Lawson turning 65 in January, Beyoncé sweetly led the crowd [5] through a happy birthday chorus.
She turned heads at JAY-Z's annual Roc Nation brunch.
It's hard to imagine anyone else rocking this structured Balmain masterpiece [6]. Bey and Jay were the embodiment of glamour [7] at the February get-together.
Her nod to Meghan Markle at the Brit Awards was a major cultural moment.
While Beyoncé and JAY-Z accepted the Brit Award for best international group [8] in February, they honoured Meghan Markle [9] by standing in front of a portrait of the duchess [10] wearing a tiara and pearls. And while that earned widespread praise [11], Bey's personal Black History Month ode to Meghan [12] also warmed hearts. "She and Prince Harry have continued to push the race relations dialogue forward both near and far," Bey wrote on her website [13]. "We bow down to one of our Melanated Monas."
She encouraged people to love and support each other at the GLAAD Media Awards.
In March, Beyoncé took the stage with JAY-Z to accept the vanguard award for their support of the LGBTQ+ community. During their speech, the singer spoke about the importance of loving others [14]. "Change starts with supporting the people closest to you," she said. "Who you make love to, and take that ass to Red Lobster, is your human right."
Her appearance at the NAACP Awards was a blessing to us all.
Donning a breathtaking Balmain gown [15], Beyoncé attended the NAACP Image Awards [16] with JAY-Z in March and won the entertainer of the year award.
She and JAY-Z celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary.
The mother and father of 7-year-old Blue Ivy [17] and 2-year-old twins Sir and Rumi [18] celebrated another year of marriage, over a decade after they tied the knot on April 4, 2008 [19].
Beyoncé joined forces with Adidas for an Ivy Park relaunch.
She announced a major partnership with Adidas [20] through which she will rerelease activewear from her Ivy Park line. The news in April came shortly before a report surfaced that she declined to work with Reebok [21] over diversity issues within the company.
She let fans to relive her Coachella set through the Netflix documentary, Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé . . .
When Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé dropped in April, we were changed forever [22]. Giving viewers a sneak peek into the making of her historic Coachella performance [23], Bey revealed a handful of behind-the-scenes clips and anecdotes [24], including her tough pregnancy with the twins [25] and Blue Ivy walking [26] in her musical footsteps. The film is truly inspiring from start to finish.
. . . and she kept the Homecoming fun going with a brand new album.
Because Beyoncé knows the Hive is always aching for more [27], she also dropped Homecoming: The Live Album [28], allowing fans to enjoy the audio version of her high-energy Coachella set [29]. She even included a few bonus tracks, notably a clip of Blue Ivy belting "Lift Every Voice and Sing [30]."
A dance phenomenon was born from her Homecoming Live album.
Beyoncé's track "Before I Let Go" [31] — a rendition of Frankie Beverly and Maze's 1981 hit — sparked a dance challenge in which fans all over the world shared videos of them grooving along to the tune. Even Jenna Dewan got in on it [32]!
Beyoncé penned a beautiful essay about Michelle Obama for Time's 100 Most Influential People issue.
Two impactful women supporting each other is always heartwarming, so it's no surprise that Bey's essay about Michelle [33] in Time's April issue received so much praise. "I'm honoured to know such a brilliant black woman who's spoken about the sacrifice it takes to balance her passions while remaining a supportive partner and mother, and now a best-selling author with Becoming," she wrote about the former First Lady. "She has continued to open herself up, even if it meant being criticised. She has continued to be a portrait of grace."
Her support of the Houston Rockets didn't waver.
Bey, a Houston native, made time to watch her hometown Rockets battle the Golden State Warriors [34] during the NBA finals in May. (And she looked amazing [35], of course.) The following month, Bey and JAY-Z also sat courtside at a Golden State Warriors game where Nicole Curran — the wife of Warriors owner Joe Lacob — leaned over Bey [36]. The moment went viral as fans cringed [37] at the sight of Nicole invading the queen's personal space. But Beyoncé's publicist reminded the Hive to be kind and loving.
She couldn't help but to dance at Janet Jackson's concert.
During Janet's Metamorphosis Vegas residency in May, Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland [38] joined Rhythm Nation as they grooved along to the music in the crowd — and their dance moves were eerily synchronised [39].
Her Lion King-inspired gown at the Wearable Art Gala was wild in the best way possible.
Since Beyoncé voices Nala in Disney's remake of The Lion King [40], it was only right that she went all out for the Wearable Art Gala [41] in June. Rocking a golden jumpsuit with a lion's face [42], Bey absolutely stunned at the Lion King-themed gathering. And Blue Ivy looked just as amazing [43]!
She honoured longtime friend and director Melina Matsoukas at the AFI Gala.
Beyoncé made a surprise appearance [44] at the AFI Gala in June [45] to present Melina — who directed the "Formation" music video [46] — with the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal. "After over a decade of collaborating with Melina, we've become family," Bey said. "In 2005, she managed to shoot five videos with me in three days, creating beautiful imagery with little to no budget. We've come a long ways since those days."
She hit the red carpet for the first time in nearly three years.
Beyoncé and Blue Ivy stunted on the red carpet [47] at the LA premiere of The Lion King [48] in July. Bey also united with former Destiny's Child members [49] Kelly Rowland [50] and Michelle Williams [51] at the event.
She finally met Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
After her endearing ode to Meghan back in February, it happened at last: Beyoncé met the Duchess of Sussex [52]. At the UK premiere of The Lion King [53] in July, the two powerhouse women crossed paths [54] and enjoyed a nice chat. As they embraced, Bey even called the former Suits actress [55] "my princess." Gah!
Beyoncé glorified Mother Nature in an awe-inspiring music video for "Spirit" and "Bigger."
Bey's visually stunning music video for "Spirit" and "Bigger" [56] left jaws aplenty on the ground when it dropped in July. Rocking a number of colourful ensembles [57], the singer croons the uplifting tracks — which are featured on her Lion King-inspired album, The Gift [58] — against the background of Mother Nature. And it should come as no surprise that Blue Ivy was by her side [59] throughout the video.
She sent fans into a tailspin with a rare interview on Good Morning America.
In July, Beyoncé also spoke to Good Morning America's [60] Robin Roberts to promote her soundtrack The Lion King: The Gift. "This soundtrack is a love letter to Africa, and I wanted to make sure we found the best talent from Africa," she said. Considering she doesn't do very many sit-down interviews, this was quite the treat.
The Lion King remake came out, and we immediately stanned Nala.
Beyoncé made her official debut as Nala [61] in The Lion King remake when the film hit theatres on July 19. The cast was packed with big-name stars [62] — Donald Glover, James Earl Jones (who voiced the original Mufasa [63]), Seth Rogen [64], Billy Eichner — but we got just a little more excited when we heard Bey's voice come out of a fierce lioness.
Beyoncé and JAY-Z had a swingin' night out at their niece's Great Gatsby-themed birthday party.
Sure, Bey and Jay's schedules are busy, but they have time for family! In late July, they celebrated their niece Teanna's birthday [65] in NYC. The bash was inspired by The Great Gatsby, which you might be able to gather from JAY-Z's black and white tuxedo and Beyoncé's glitzy red gown [66].
A photo from her September 2018 Vogue feature was admitted into the Smithsonian.
The month of August started off with some pretty amazing news in the Bey world: one of the pictures from her historic September 2018 Vogue spread [67] was admitted into Washington DC's Smithsonian museum [68]. The snapshot — which was shot by 24-year-old photographer Tyler Mitchell — shows Beyoncé modelling a golden Valentino gown with a spiked Philip Treacy London hat. We already knew the singer is a work of art, but we appreciate the confirmation!
She showed her support for Lizzo at JAY-Z's Made in America festival.
Beyoncé was happily aboard the Lizzo train [69] at the Made in America event in August. She was photographed enjoying the "Truth Hurts" singer's concert in Philadelphia, which naturally sent Lizzo into a tizzy [70].
Beyoncé celebrated her 38th birthday surrounded by friends and family.
On Sept. 4, Bey turned 38 [71] and celebrated the special day alongside friends and family as they sang and danced together [72].
