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Beyoncé's 'Homecoming' Documentary Puts Black Excellence On Full Display -- Get Your Recap HERE!

Five major takeaways from Beyonce's Homecoming documentary on Netflix.

It’s finally here!!!
As promised, Beyoncé just dropped her brand spanking new documentary with Netflix called Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé.
The concert special debuted on the streaming platform on Wednesday, April 17, with very minimal promotion or advance notice from Queen Bey (not surprising!).
But we have to say, the piece really delivered!
Related: Beyoncé Backed Out Of Deal With Reebok Due To Lack Of Diversity??
Fans hardly needed another excuse to revisit her iconic 2018 Coachella performance, which is truly unforgettable in its own right. The headliner’s set smashed records as it garnered 41 million viewers from 232 countries across the world during its first run at weekend one, making it the most viewed live festival on YouTube… ever.
It sounds like the Formation singer wanted that impact to continue on a larger, long-lasting scale by bringing its production story to Netflix. At a private screening of the film at the company’s headquarters in El Lay, Parkwood Entertainment COO Steve Pamon marveled over the 37-year-old’s overall vision:

“She had a vision for redefining the concert experience and to show the best of blackness to the world in a way that unites all of us. You will see the fruits of doing the best that you can do. It’s a concert film that refutes the notion that concert films aren’t relevant—and raises the bar.”

Well said!
And now, let’s jump right into the five biggest takeaways from Homecoming:

The Inspiration Behind BeyChella

A true country girl at heart, Beyoncé admits that she dreamed of attending an historically Black college or university (HBCU) just like her father Matthew Knowles did. For those who didn’t know, the patriarch graduated from Fisk University in Nashville. The star had her sights set on Texas Southern University in her hometown of Houston, but life had other plans! The time spent as part of iconic girl group Destiny’s Child essentially became Bey’s “college” experience.
She explains that it was important to showcase her love for historically Black institutions, despite having not attended one. And she intended to do so, on the biggest stage possible:

“I felt like people wanted me to stay in my little box. I could have worn my flower crown, but it was more important to bring our culture to Coachella.”

That ode to HBCU’s is woven throughout each segment of the doc, which is segued by quotes from prominent black historical figures.

Fulfilling Beyoncé’s Vision

Mrs. Knowles-Carter left no stone unturned throughout the months-long process of creating her show. Credited with writing, producing, and directing the documentary, Beyoncé was the point person in every step of the production process for her two-weekend Coachella stand. 
Raw backstage footage shows viewers just what it’s like to have the Love On Top singer calling the shots: from making adjustments to the band, and leading practice with her backup dancers (with the help of Blue Ivy!), to giving the entire crew a pep talk when production deadlines were looming near.
The singer can be heard making her intentions crystal clear in one segment of the doc, saying:

“How do we become united but have different characters that stand out. I was very adamant that we were all well-rehearsed and knew the show front to back—but also did things unconventional.”

Mrs. Carter Gets Vulnerable

As many surely know, the superstar had to push back her Coachella set by a year, (it was originally slated for 2017), after becoming pregnant with twins Rumi and Sir Carter. In the doc, the entertainer lets her guard down, and opens up about the “extremely difficult pregnancy” and challenging process of getting back into concert-ready shape after welcoming her children.
At her first post-baby rehearsal, she admits:

“There were days when I felt like my endurance and physicality would never be the same.”

WOW!

We know that creating another human life is undoubtedly a huge physical feat. But considering the way JAY-Z‘s wife absolutely tore up the stage, we almost forgot the woman took time off to give birth!

One segment of the film dramatically counts down the remaining days left till show time, while tracking Bey’s weight loss goal at the same time.
We see her “rebuild” her body at 115 days out, and limit herself to no bread, carbs, sugar, dairy, meat, fish or alcohol at 65 days out. And at 38 days before showtime, we see Beyoncé giddy with excitement, and gushing to her husband over finally being able to fit into her costume.
We love a relatable moment like this!

Family Comes First

Homecoming provides us with plenty of behind-the-scenes footage of the icon’s inner circle, but most importantly the kids!
It’s almost like she heard the BeyHive’s pleas for more Blue Ivy, Rumi, and Sir because we get more than a few glimpses of the precious little ones during one segment.

Y’all remember that glimpse of Blue Ivy leading dance practice?

Well much to everyone’s delight, the young superstar in the making showcased her singing talent, too! During an a cappella version of Lift Every Voice and Sing, known as the black national anthem, proud momma Bey compliments her saying, “You sound so pretty.”
Feeling confident in herself, the seven-year-old says:

“I want to do that again. It feels good.”

BeyHive & All It’s Glory

A large chunk of the documentary shows major love to the fans who make Queen Bey’s reign possible: the BeyHive!
Homecoming beautifully captures the “ride or die” spirit of Beyoncé’s fan base, as well as the diversity of it, too. Though Coachella is usually a predominantly white crowd, we see white, black, gay, straight, male, female, and non-binary fans alike lose themselves in the moment. It’s made clear here that you don’t need to be one specific type of person to enjoy and be a part history in the making.
The feature ends with the singer’s final words of wisdom as she is escorted off stage by JAY. She addresses her brothers and sisters around the world one last time, saying:

“May this spark a vision in people to show them [they can] achieve something. If my country ass can do it, they can do it.”


To add even more excitement today, a surprise Homecoming: The Live Album dropped for fans! See some of the best Twitter reacts to ALL of the newness (below)!


https://twitter.com/fentychill/status/1118526524813205507


Have YOU checked out the Netflix film yet? What part of the doc stood out most to you?
Sound off in the comments (below)!
[Image via WENN]

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Apr 17, 2019 10:06am PDT

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