Tina Knowles Reflects on Beyoncé’s Challenging Performance While Expecting Blue Ivy
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Tina shared on Instagram that Beyoncé would rush offstage to vomit between songs before returning to perform.
Taking the stage was especially challenging for Beyoncé during the early stages of her pregnancy with daughter Blue Ivy Carter.
On Tuesday, Jan. 6, Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, shared a throwback video from ITV’s A Night with Beyoncé (2011) on Instagram and reflected on just how difficult the performance was for her daughter, who was about two months pregnant at the time. Tina recalled that the superstar, now 44, was dealing with intense nausea behind the scenes.
In the caption, the Matriarch author, 72, said the clip resurfacing on her feed brought back vivid memories. She described the show as one of the most demanding Beyoncé had ever done, noting how physically ill she felt while still pushing through the performance.
Tina explained that between songs, Beyoncé would rush backstage to get sick before returning to the stage to continue the set. She said witnessing her daughter persevere under those conditions confirmed just how tough and committed she was as a performer. At the time, the pregnancy was being kept private.
According to Tina, only a small circle—including herself and stylists Ty Hunter and Tim White—were aware that Beyoncé was expecting. Everyone else involved in the production simply believed she was unwell.
Despite how sick she felt, Tina said Beyoncé delivered a powerful show and performed at an exceptional level, with the band and crew unaware of the true reason behind her condition.
The ITV special aired in the U.K. on Dec. 4, 2011, though it was likely recorded months earlier. Beyoncé publicly revealed her pregnancy at the MTV Video Music Awards in August 2011. She and Jay-Z welcomed Blue Ivy on Jan. 7, 2012. Now 14, Blue Ivy has since joined her mother onstage, dancing during both the Renaissance World Tour and the Cowboy Carter Tour.
In a more recent post from November, Tina also shared a behind-the-scenes story involving Beyoncé and Blue Ivy helping her record vocals for an Ulta Beauty commercial promoting the Cécred hair care brand.
Tina explained that she had been battling a sinus infection when filming her portion of the ad, so Beyoncé invited her into the studio and produced her vocals. Blue Ivy also helped by adding harmonies to improve the final result.
Joking about the experience, Tina said the extra help saved her from becoming an internet meme, thanking both her daughter and granddaughter for stepping in.