Why Taylor Swift Was Not at Beyoncé’s Renaissance Movie Premiere

On Saturday night, Beyoncé premiered Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. The event was absolutely star-studded, attended by Lizzo, Chloe and Halle Bailey, Gabrielle Union, Lupita Nyong’o, Janelle Monae, Kris Jenner, and many more. But notably absent was Eras Tour singer Taylor Swift.

Swift debuted her own concert film last month, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour. For her premiere, Beyoncé showed up and was photographed on the red carpet by Swift’s side.

Fans are probably wondering why Swift didn’t reciprocate, but her schedule has kept her in South America all month for the continuation of her tour. On the night of Beyoncé’s premiere, she played a concert in São Paulo, Brazil. Swift had intended to have more breaks during this leg of her tour, but tragedy changed her schedule. 23-year-old fan Ana Clara Benevides Machado collapsed at the Nilton Santos stadium in Rio de Janeiro on November 17. She passed away at the hospital soon after, which Swift said was “devastating” in a statement.

The heat in the stadium was too extreme, and Swift delayed her next concert to give it a chance to cool off. The postponement made it too difficult for her to return to the U.S. for the Thanksgiving holiday as she had planned. Of course, she may not have had the chance to get to Los Angeles in time for the premiere before the unforeseen events, but the week has been unpredictable.

Not only that, invited guests were reportedly not told where the premiere would be held until 24 hours before the event. Variety reports that the dress code was called “chrome carpet” and described as “cozy opulence.”

The star’s look must fit the description, because she certainly appeared both metallic and opulent. Beyoncé shared photos of herself on her website from the night wearing a strapless form-fitting silver dress by Versace with a structured bustier bodice. On her arms, she wore matching silver-gray opera gloves.

Her hair was down in a straight platinum blonde curtain, and she wore a natural makeup palette with a hint of shimmery powder on her eyelids and long lashes. On her feet were a pair of silver high-heeled sandals.

Aimée Lutkin is the weekend editor at ELLE.com. Her writing has appeared in Jezebel, Glamour, Marie Claire and more. Her first book, The Lonely Hunter, will be released by Dial Press in February 2022.