Beyoncé has announced that her forthcoming world tour will be named ‘The Mrs Carter Show.’ It is now being widely debated whether this shows that she is abandoning her trademark ‘independent woman’ status, marked out since her Destiny’s Child days, for that of the traditional wife and mother. The Mancunion joins the debate:
Abandoning the independent woman, says Beth Currall:
When we think of Beyoncé, what images do we conjure up? Do we see a beautiful, curvaceous woman on stage, belting out powerful lyrics such as, ‘If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it?’ Normally, I would argue yes, but this latest turn of events has changed minds, including my own.
I understand that when a woman marries, she willingly takes her husband’s name and legally becomes his ‘other half.’ There is no problem with that, but, when a woman has built her entire career and persona on her maiden name, such flighty abandonment of her surname makes her entire career seem like a bit of a sham. This is the Beyoncé who, up until now, has inspired millions of women to go out and enjoy being single and independent, rather than sit at home crying every Saturday night because they don’t have a man.
What message does this new tour name send to all of Beyoncé’s fans across the globe? Being an independent woman is cool until you reach about 25, and then you should mature and surrender your liberties to your man because that’s what ‘love’ and ‘marriage’ are all about? Work hard, build a fortune in your own name, but don’t think twice about giving all that up in one fell swoop?
I just didn’t think that Beyoncé would ever be part of this frankly out-dated cliché, and can’t help but wonder whether we are turning our backs on the female independence our ancestors worked so hard to gain.
Reinventing herself, says Lauren Arthur:
Beyoncé and Jay-Z – music’s royal couple. Announced as the Power Couple of 2013, the pair beat real royalty, Kate and Wills, to the top spot. However, there can be no doubting that Beyoncé is still strikingly successful on her own. Announcing a huge worldwide tour, fifth studio album and a personal documentary, 2013 is set to be a big year for B.
Outnumbered though I may be, I see absolutely no problem with ‘The Mrs. Carter Show.’ Having been married to Jay-Z for five years and being mother to year old Blue Ivy, Beyoncé has come a long way from being a third of the (admittedly amazing) flare-wearing 90s pop group.
True, much of her musical image has been based upon the idea of female independence and empowerment, yet I don’t believe that this is lost by her choice to use her married name. The fact that she is comfortable enough to do so shows her security and happiness: independence in another form.
Beyoncé herself told Oprah that she considers motherhood to be her greatest achievement. She has not lost her unremitting independent attitude, but is merely merging her two worlds. The tour promo hardly shows her as an apron- wearing 50s housewife; she looks amazing as ever, wearing a Thierry Mugler haute couture corset, a crinoline, crown fascinator and a satin robe. It is clear Queen B is still very much self-governed.
Beyoncé’s albums mirror her growth and maturity both as an individual and as a musician. Mrs. Carter has arrived as a more mature Sasha Fierce. It is unfair to criticise Beyoncé for wanting to celebrate the fact that she is also a wife and mother. She may be a superstar, but she is also an individual. It’s not like she’s given up her career as result of marriage and motherhood – far from it. It’s hardly like this is the start of her transformation into a dependent submissive wife either. After all, this is Beyoncé we’re talking about.
