Beyoncé’s documentary premiere in Beverly Hills was a star-studded affair with glitz, glam, and pops of colour
The feature-length film companion to Beyoncé’s Renaissance – her seventh studio album and subsequent world tour – has made its world premiere at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills, playing for a star-studded audience just under a week ahead of its wide release.
Dubbed “the greatest disco in the known universe” in The Telegraph, and declared to be pushing “21st-century live entertainment another lavish leap forward” by the Guardian, Renaissance – which spanned five months and two continents – has become the eighth highest-selling concert tour of all time.
A variety of celebs attended the premiere of its documentary counterpart last night, its guest list calling upon an array of R&B singers (Janelle Monae, Normani, Chloe x Halle), drag performers (keeping with the album’s ballroom spirit), and famed bees of the hive such as T.S. Madison.
All former members of Destiny’s Child (with the exception of Farrah Franklin) appeared at the event, recalling the origins of Beyoncé – now a figure of such messianic regality – in public consciousness. Dressed in head-to-toe black, Michelle Williams, LeToya Luckett, and LaTavia Roberson hit the chrome carpet in an angular bodysuit, leather dress, and single-sleeved gown respectively, while Kelly Rowland sparkled silver in a shapely garment with a conical bra and flounced bottom.
“Cosy opulence” was the dress code of the evening, producing an eclectic but largely unified display of interpretations. The prevailing hues of the night’s wear were black, white, and – of course – silver.
Lupita Nyong’o looked iridescent in a metallic Mach & Mach blazer, and Janelle Monae glided through the theatre in a black-and-white polka-dot dress with a balloon skirt and gloved sleeves. Exemplifying “cosy opulence” was Halle Bailey, who took to the premiere in demurely starry boots and a high-hemmed dress asprout with ostrich feathers.
Suspended in a sky of achromatic apparel, certain stars shone in vivid colour. Laverne Cox served periwinkle in a 1995 vintage Mugler bustier; Chloë Bailey, Coco Jones, and Kaci Walfall graced the gala in deep and deeper purple with selectively exposed cutouts, and Vanessa Bryant stunned in strapless cyan.
In amongst these cooler tones were splashes of bold red, which cascaded over Victoria Monét in a hooded Theophilio gown, hesitantly enveloped the legs of Ty Hunter – Beyoncé’s former stylist – with voluminous pants, and draped over the arms of drag queen Kevin Aviance – whose song “Cunty” was sampled on the Renaissance track “Pure/Honey” – along with hot pink and the bluest of blue.
Beyoncé herself opted out of the carpet preamble, but later touched down in a galactically classy ensemble, arriving in a top-to-bottom silver in a Versace evening gown, skin-tight gloves, and waist-length platinum hair.
Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé is slated for wide release on December 1.
Words By Harrison Jones.
