Beyoncé fans in Paris to honor Juneteenth, singer with 'Freedom' surprise at June 19 show

USA Today

5 hours ago

Beyoncé fans in Paris to honor Juneteenth, singer with 'Freedom' surprise at June 19 show
Beyoncé-Knowles-Carter will deliver her first "Cowboy Carter" concert in Paris on a significant holiday in the U.S. — Juneteenth — and some France-based fans are planning a powerful surprise at her concert to celebrate it.
The Grammy-winning singer will kick off the first of three shows at Stade de France in Paris on June 19 as part of her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour. The date, Juneteenth, is a U.S. federal holiday known as the second Independence Day, which celebrates the end of slavery in the United States.
It commemorates the events of June 19, 1865, when the last Black slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned that they were free — more than two years after U.S. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, freeing enslaved people in Confederate states.
The Juneteenth tour stop makes the concert by the Texas-born singer — who weaves the complex and oppressive history of America into her "Cowboy Carter" album — all the more significant. And French fans are taking notice. One group, in particular, is rallying others to send a powerful message at Beyoncé's show.
Those eight fans first came together when attending Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour in 2023. They eventually formed the group ParisYoncé and grew a following.
"We were all in 'Club Renaissance' (section) and we didn't know each other back then," says Sarah Farajaoui, who was born in Morocco but now lives in Paris. "So we just interacted, and after the concert ... we created a group chat. Since then we talk about Beyoncé 24/7."
ParisYoncé is run by Farajaoui, Nadia Da Costa, Megane Froidure, Dana Limani, Laetitia Dujardin, Julien Hadda, Robson Palheta Lino and Julien Begue. They live in different parts of France.
How the Juneteenth Project started
"We chose the Paris concert, and we saw that it's on June 19. And the set list actually has the 'Freedom' song. So that was perfect. That was actually how the Juneteenth project started," Farajaoui says.
As for the project, the group is planning to fill the stadium with Juneteenth flags and wave them as Beyoncé sings her song "Freedom" during the show.
"We chose 'Freedom' as a song (because) it's very powerful. It marks a very important date because Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the U.S., especially in Texas — which is Beyoncé's hometown," Farajaoui says. "And Beyoncé has been, you know, teasing and talking about Juneteenth in her songs such as 'Black Parade.'"
Farajaoui hopes Beyoncé appreciates their display.
"I think it will make her feel proud because she sings music not only to sing music but to send specific messages, and I would say choosing this date is very powerful," says Farajaoui.
After receiving a load of interest from fans attending the June 19 show, ParisYoncé has been organizing the project and helping others get their flags. They have also been committed to ensuring more fans are aware of the U.S. holiday and its significance.
"We made some videos to explain the (importance) of this date" Farajaoui says. "It's a project in which people are learning at the same time. We will enjoy it once we see Beyoncé's reaction and she sees the stadium lighting up with Juneteenth flags."
'We are standing in solidarity'
Farajaoui and the members of the group say they want to send a meaningful message and create a lasting impact.
"We want to say, 'Beyoncé, we hear you. We want to make you feel proud. And we also are standing, I would say, in solidarity with you,'" Farajaoui says. The group invites fans attending the show to bring flags and join.
As fans know, Beyoncé first debuted her "Cowboy Carter" tour at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on April 28 with 39 songs on the set list. Her shows have been filled with family, fashion, different music genres, and most notably country music and cultural commentary.
"We discovered country music through Beyoncé because before we didn't listen a lot to country music," Limani says.
These fans also recognize the added significance of the Juneteenth date alongside the barriers Beyoncé has faced in gaining acceptance within the country music landscape.
"We know actually it was challenging for her to be accepted (in) country music," Farajaoui says. "So what we wanted to make her feel is that she belongs to country and she's the best in whatever genre."
Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.