14 DAY TRIAL // “Run the World (Girls)” may have been received with somewhat mixed reviews by fans and critics when an incomplete version leaked online ahead of release, but things have changed since then. At the Billboard Awards 2011 the other night, Beyonce showed just what an extraordinary performer she is – precisely on her first single off the upcoming album.
As the video below will confirm, Beyonce was officially the biggest winner of the night, as she was honored with the Billboard Millennium Award.
At just 29, the singer is already an icon and a role model for all women and girls out there, huge stars said in an opening speech about Beyonce.
First Lady Michelle Obama, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce’s mom, dad and sister, and even Bono and Lady Gaga, all spoke about some of the reasons why Beyonce deserved the award.
She’s a consummate artist, a singer, a performer and a songwriter, she’s an actress, a fashion designer and, most important of all, a humanitarian – and she’s not even 30 yet, they all seemed to say.
After the very touching intro, Beyonce took to the stage to perform her first single off the album “4.” As with every other performance from her, this too was something worth watching.
Set against a white screen on which various shapes and images played, Beyonce danced and interacted with the images onscreen, while also singing – as always – live.
The performance culminated with countless dancers taking over the stage to reinforce the message of the song: girls run the world.
While the star was catching her breath, her mom, Tina Knowles, handed Beyonce the award. The following speech was perhaps even more touching than the introductory part.
After thanking her family for their support and unconditional love throughout the years, Beyonce thanked the original members of Destiny’s Child and Kelly and Michelle, who came later, without whom she’d be “nothing” today.
Towards the end, she thanked her best friend, saying, “I don’t want to put you on the spot because I know they must be shoving a camera in your face right now… but I love me some Jay-Z.”
Check out the entire performance and acceptance speech below. Enjoy.