Beyoncé’s concert film “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé” is poised to have a $30 million global opening, potentially reaching $40 million.
As “Renaissance” aims to captivate audiences worldwide, Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, has come to her daughter’s defense amid claims of the all-time leading Grammy winner bleaching her skin. Beyoncé’s appearance at the premiere of “Renaissance” led to accusations of skin whitening, which Knowles vehemently disputed on social media, criticizing such allegations as perpetuating racism and double standards.
The Controversial Appearance
On Nov. 25, Beyoncé appeared her film premiere’s “chrome carpet” dressed in silver and with platinum blond hair, NBC News reported. Soon after photos from the event prompted accusations that the singer was trying to be “white.”
Knowles stressed her daughter’s appearance was part of the silver attire. “And you bozos decide that she’s trying to be a white woman and is bleaching her skin?” Knowles’ post railed. “How sad is it that some of her own people continue the stupid narrative with hate and jealousy. Duh, she wore silver hair to match her silver dress as a fashion statement…”
Knowles blasted the accusations with an Instagram post shared on Nov. 28. The post included a lengthy caption that accused users and media of perpetuating racism, sexism, and double standards.
“Came across this today and decided to post it after seeing all of the stupid ignorant self, hating racist statements about her, lightening her skin, and wearing platinum hair wanting to be white,” Knowles wrote at the top of the post.
The post included a video compilation of Beyoncé and started with a still photo of the singer’s premiere appearance. Quotes from users online appear over the image, with some reading, “She’s white now?” and “She whitens her skin!”
Focusing On the Film
While “Renaissance” marks the second concert movie this year to receive wide distribution by an exhibitor, following Taylor Swift’s “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” concert film. It is expected to open domestically with approximately $20 million and another $20 million internationally, Deadline reported.
Presales for “Renaissance” have been strong at AMC and Regal theaters, which have a substantial Black moviegoing audience presence. However, Cinemark, the third-largest circuit, has reported lower presales. Despite this, an opening weekend of $15 million to $20 million for a wide-release concert movie in the United States is considered quite good.
Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never,” for example, opened to $29.5 million in 2011 and Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” had $23.2 million in 2009, according to Deadline.
“Renaissance” was directed by Beyoncé herself and combines concert footage and documentary elements, with a runtime of two and a half hours.
The film’s major markets during its opening weekend will include Mexico, the U.K., South Africa, Kenya, Australia, and Germany.
I agree with Tina, how stupid and childish are you to think that she wants to be white!! The black community really needs to stop with all the inner racism and racial self hate. The other races hate us as it is, why can’t we support and uplift each other instead of trying to pull each other down! Once we as a race start loving ourselves and our skin!! Then and only then will all the other races see that the names that they call us and the way they think about us won’t matter anymore. Because we love ourselves and each other first!!