Beyonce is helping kick off the 2024 Paris Olympics.
On Friday (July 26), the superstar singer surprised viewers by introducing Team USA in an epic pre-recorded video that aired during NBCUniversal’s primetime coverage of the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony.
“We’ve got superstars and we’ve got legends. We’ve got big dreamers who fought their whole lives to get here. Who gave up everything for one shot, and made it,” Beyonce, draped in a red, white and blue leotard, declares in the clip.
“That pride and that joy? That’s what gets me about this team. And that’s what makes me believe in this team. And that’s why I can’t wait to see what they pull off over these next 16 days. America, give it up for Team USA, the very best of who we are. What a vision to behold. What a team to believe in. What a night to celebrate.”
The approximately two-and-a-half-minute video features a patriotic rendition of Beyonce’s song “YA YA,” from her Cowboy Carter album, and appearances by dozens of top American athletes, including gymnast Simone Biles, swimmer Caeleb Dressel, and track and field stars Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles.
Cowboy Carter debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in April 2024, and “Ya Ya” reached No. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Earlier on Friday, the opening ceremony launched on Paris’ Seine with each participating country’s athletes sailing in on boats in a parade down France’s famous river. The four-hour event featured show-stopping performances led by international superstars including Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and Aya Nakamura. Check out Billboard‘s top moments from the opening ceremony here.
Watch Beyonce introduce Team USA in the video below.
