Beyoncé’s extraordinary payday in Dubai

While most of us dread checking our bank accounts on Monday mornings, there’s no doubt Beyonce will grin at the sight of her account. On Saturday night, the singer returned to the stage for the first time in more than four years, performing at the grand unveiling of Atlantis the Royal, a new luxury resort in Dubai.

Beyonce was reportedly paid $35 million for an hour-long show that was attended by over 1,000 people, including celebrities and “special guests,” according to a press release. On the hour-long set, the singer performed 19 songs from her back catalog and began with a rousing rendition of Etta James’ Last but not least.

She was also joined on stage for a live performance by her eldest daughter, 11-year-old Blue Ivy Brown Skin Girlfrom Beyonce’s soundtrack to Disney’s 2019 remake The Lion King. The show was kept secret, with a limited number of tickets available to a star-studded guest list including Kendall Jenner, Empty Panther Stars Letitia Wright and Amir Khan.

There were also a few Australian guests including Rebel Wilson, Olympia Valance and Sonia Kruger, all by invitation.

Also on the list: Scott Cam. Who would have thought that Beyonce would be such a huge fan of The block?

While Beyonce’s lavish return to the stage, complete with fireworks, dance troupes and multiple outfit changes, was predictably spectacular, she caused quite a stir due to the UAE’s stance on homosexuality and the fact that the 41-year-old has been that way for a long time herself as a champion for LGBTQ communities.

In 2019, she received the Vanguard Award at the GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Media Awards for helping accelerate acceptance of the LGBTQ community and her 2022 album, RenaissanceIt was hailed as a declaration of love to pioneers of black and queer dance music.