Beyonce Bounces thru San Diego

Last Sunday several female and male models from my agency were hired to work the Beyonce concert at San Diego State University's Cox Arena. Now, I wouldn't call myself necessarily a fan of hers - but I have certainly respected her talent and determination starting at such a young age and especially for writing and producing most of her music.

Upon arrival none of us had any clue as to what we were doing. But I was pleased to see my favorite male model of the agency, Elzie, was working as well as one of my favorite young promo models, Madison. We were herded into a VIP room sponsored by Samsung and given black dresses, style "Sasha" from her clothing line of Derreon (you can get it for $69.99 here).
Even though the dresses were light we were sweating a ton and it was definitely not a good hair day for anyone, especially us wavy and curly-haired girls.
As exhausted, hot and uncomfortable as we were the job ended being a blast. Essentially we were paparazzi taking digital pictures of the crowd and then giving them a card with their number on it so they could download it for free later (you see the attached pictures as examples). People really got into it. Most of her fans were African-American (of course) and very fashionable gay men (you know I love my gay men!) so they got crazy or super sexy in front of the camera :)

My group was chosen for having most energy an enthusiasm to work the main red carpet at the entrance of the Cox Arena. Thank God - because we had a GREAT DJ spinning next to the red carpet to dance to as well and people loved posing on the red carpet (whereas the other teams had to just wander the crowds and offer to take pictures).
The best part was that we got to enter and watch for free most of the concert at the ground level close to the stage! Like I said before: I am not a huge fan, but it was a very energetic spectacle. I noted that her band was all women and mixed ethnicities - VERY cool! Of course there were tons of dancers - several women of various colors and then 5 African-American, very cut men. hahaha. I screamed and closed my eyes to Elzie's laughter when they got too raunchy and sexual with their dancing - I actually don't like that gyrating stuff.

Also worth noting - in person, Beyonce looks younger - what is she only 25 or so? I mean: she is young and in her videos or on awards shows she has so much hair and makeup going you almost forget how young she is. Don't get me wrong - she was sporting butt-long extensions, false eye lashes and silver glittering eyeshadow - you know, stage makeup, more than beautiful makeup - she actually resembled a drag queen at times to me. Her outfits were horrible. I know her mommma, Tina, designs all her clothes and obviously they are going for flash and pizazz most of the time - but even Elzie - a gorgeous man who is a fan of hers said, "She shouldn't wear that" or "that one outfit really doesn't flatter her." HAHAHHA

Of course she had several costume changes, the worst being this one leotard - yes, LEOTARD (have you seen this gal's thighs and ass??) that was half nude-colored (making her from stage look naked) with strategically-placed patches of bright silver sequins and fake diamonds on her chest and big old butt. The worst is that her very toned dancers wore it, looking amazing and you couldn't help compare her and say, "deammn her legs and ass are HUUUUGEEE!" God Bless her for not giving a flying fig and trying to pull it off. Don't get me wrong - the woman has had some gorgeous moments in some videos and in the movie, "Dreamgirls" where she lost 25 pounds to beautifully show off the great period costumes, but when there is no air brushing or dieting involved and she is busting a move all over the stage with girls that weigh half her weight - well sheeit, there be a whole lotta jiggling going on. I also loved how she had across the entire front bottom of the stage very strong blowing fans that constantly kept her extensions flying wildly off her face (and kept her from sweating enormously with all that jiggling go on). Editor's note - J-Lo is a fan of this technique also- hahahaha :)
I also have to mention my recent pet peeve how everyone is jumping on the Middle Eastern belly dancing train. Columbian ex-rocker (she has sold out) Shakira can authentically do it and has trained in it since a little girl (and is half-Lebanese at least). But now everyone is doing it. I saw that pipsqueak excuse of a singer, Hilary Duff, even try it the other day on TV. Please. Well, Beyonce recently did a duet with Shakira with a fabulous video and so when she came out to perform the song (not as a duet) she came out in a belly-dancing outfit with her thong showing through the see-through material. Let's just say she ain't as petite, sexy or toned that way as the 5'1 Shakira is. Okaayyyyy????

Not to dwell on the negative, I do appreciate that she did a long medley of her Destiny Child hits (man, some of their earlier stuff was g-h-e-t-t-o!!!) She also can dance and shake it like crazy and at least sings for real in her concerts - not this lip-syncing bologna that seems to be accepted by younger and newer pop stars nowadays. Good for her - it was a very entertaining concert - I really enjoyed her energy and commitment. I can certainly recognize a lot of hard work went into it.