DINH DOONG

This week, videos of celebrities praising Queen B have been trending across TikTok. Clips of Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV VMAs to declare Beyoncé had one of the best albums of all time and Adele breaking her Grammy in half to dedicate it to Beyoncé in 2017 have resurfaced.

As these clips gained attention on social media, theories spiraled out of control – why do so many celebrities, from Lizzo to Lady Gaga to Britney Spears, heap endless praise on Beyoncé? Why do they choose to highlight Beyoncé when it’s their moment to shine at award shows?

Many believe these public acknowledgments are linked to Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s long-standing friendship with P. Diddy, who was recently arrested on conspiracy, racketeering, and sex trafficking charges. Some TikTok users are convinced she’s a leader in a secret, cult-like group in the music industry (yes, it sounds far-fetched). But with P. Diddy being compared to the entertainment industry’s version of Epstein, it’s no surprise that wild “conspiracy theories” are thriving.

TikTok users are also speculating that the power couple played a role in the deaths of Aaliyah, Michael Jackson, and Left Eye.

One particular video, which gained 7.8 million views, implies that Jay-Z and Beyoncé were involved in suspicious activities. The background music was J. Cole’s song “She Knows,” with the names Shawn (Jay-Z’s real name) and Knowles circled. The user suggested that “She Knows” sounds like “Shawn [and] Knowles.” Others believed it could refer to “Sean” for Sean “Diddy” Combs.

The clip included images of Aaliyah, Michael Jackson, and Left Eye. The situation wasn’t helped by the fact that “She Knows” was removed from YouTube due to legal issues.