Rhiannon Ingle
Beyoncé has left fans seriously divided with what same are branding a 'tone deaf' act during one of her most recent performances.
The 43-year-old 'TEXAS HOLD 'EM' singer kicked off her Cowboy Carter tour at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Monday night (28 April) but it's clear that one specific number on the setlist has raised quite a few eyebrows on social media.
The addition to the set in question was Beyoncé's rendition of the United States' national anthem, 'The Star-Spangled Banner', which has left a fair few of her fans questioning whether it was appropriate to sing a song all about American patriotism under the rule of Donald Trump.
Critics argue his right-wing policies have had seriously detrimental impacts on people of colour, women and the LGBTQ+ community just to name a few.
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One X user hit out: "All this during Trump’s administration… So weird and tone deaf."
"Honouring American nationalism while Trump's deporting babies. She's a sellout," declared a second while a third chimed in: "Bad choice given what Trump and Elon are doing to the world. Everyone hates America at the moment, and the anthem is the last thing she should perform… at least around the world."
A fourth echoed: "Singing the national anthem while our country commits atrocity after atrocity to the Middle East and global south. Going on a tour using Americana aesthetics especially during a time like this… disgusting actually.
"Tone deaf as f**k or she literally just doesn’t care."
"No shade, but with everything going on in our country right now this feels like the last song we should be singing," a fifth added.
Some fans of Bey, however, were far more supportive of her 'artistic vision' - referencing the fact that she remixed the national anthem with 'Freedom' which was previously used as an anthem during the George Floyd protests.
Another X user praised: "Soulful, captivating, stirring, breathtaking, unforgettable."
And a final person snapped back: "People don't understand the artistic vision of singing the national anthem half way until it gets to freedom. Some of you guys are f**king stupid yo."
Beyoncé first announced the tour the night before this year's Grammy Awards, which saw the 'BODYGUARD' star take home the gong for best country album as well as the ceremony's most-coveted prize - album of the year - for the eighth studio album.
The monumental win made her the first Black woman to take home the award for best country album.
Tyla has contacted Beyoncé's representatives for comment.