Beyonce’s fan community is highly diverse, spread globally, and is evident both online and offline. Her presence is noted on several major social media sites, on which millions of fans follow her activity. These include twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and beyonce.com. Offline platforms include interview shows, radio and her concerts, which are often sold out events. These platforms offer a place for fans to discuss her music, as well as gain insight into her personal life and engage in conversation with other fans.
In summary, her fans are often female in gender and aged in their teenage, adolescent and early adult years. This can be identified for a variety of reasons. Beyoncé is an enormous promoter of female empowerment, targeting women of all ages to respond and appreciate her message. However, she also aims to target males in an attempt to question gender norms and expectations. This is portrayed through her music and music videos, as well as all offline platforms, as discussed.
For instance, “songs with her former band Destiny’s Child, such as ‘Independent Woman Pt. 1’, display a basic, if perhaps naïve and postfeminist, ‘girl power’-inspired feminism” (Weidhase, 2015, pp.128). Furthermore, “in Beyoncé’s second solo album, B-Day (2006), an album concerned with the politics of romantic, sexual, emotional, and economic labour, Ann Brooks identifies ‘a particular kind of black feminist surrogation’ (2008, p. 183) that articulates Beyoncé’s control over and ownership of her own work, body, and property” (Weidhase, 2015, pp.128).
Her release of fashion lines, perfumes and other consumer products are designed for females of all ages, such as Ivy Park, consequently gaining her a strong female fan base.
Beyoncé derives from an African American, middle-class family, in which she draws on in her lyrics. This is very relatable to the vast majority of the population as they are placed financially in this bracket. It is also relatable, as racism still remains a big issues in todays society. As stated by Cashmore, “Beyoncé has debouched from a confined space and unfolded as a visibly successful black person for whom racism and discrimination have presented neither impediment nor limitation” (Cashmore, 2010, pp.137). Becoming an icon of sorts, and therefore gaining fans in that regard.
“Her considered silence on social or political issues ensures that she avoids controversy and endears herself both to advertisers and a mainstream audience.” (Cashmore, 2010, pp.137). Overall, Beyoncé has not necessarily gained a sense of dislike, in any means, and continues to have a growing, world-wide, fan base.
Beyoncé 