• Newsfeed

Watch Pregnant Beyoncé Mesmerize in a Regal Performance at the Grammys

2 minute read

A resplendent Beyoncé ascended to her throne once more at the Grammys on Sunday night, where she took to the stage to perform two songs off of Lemonade—”Sandcastles” and “Love Drought”—while very pregnant with twins.

Beyoncé’s mom Tina Knowles introduced her daughter in a touching prelude to the performance, which ultimately served as ode to motherhood. Singing in all her glowing, expectant glory, the Queen incorporated the poetry of Warsan Shire and trippy digital projections of herself and her dancers into a mesmerizing all-woman show.

Grammys 2017: See Celebrities Hit the Red Carpet

Adele attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Adele attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
Lady Gaga attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Lady Gaga attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
Rihanna attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Rihanna attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
Katy Perry attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Katy Perry attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
Jennifer Lopez attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Jennifer Lopez attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
Halsey attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Halsey attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
Laverne Cox attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Laverne Cox attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty Images
CeeLo Green attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
CeeLo Green attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
Paris Jackson attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Paris Jackson attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty Images
Rick Ross attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Rick Ross attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty Images
Taraji P. Henson attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Taraji P. Henson attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
Chance the Rapper attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Chance the Rapper attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty Images
Leon Bridges and Brittni Jessie attend The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Leon Bridges and Brittni Jessie attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
Nick Jonas attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Nick Jonas attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty Images
Charli XCX attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Charli XCX attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
Solange Knowles attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Solange Knowles attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw attend The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw attend The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty Images
Skrillex attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Skrillex attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
The 59th GRAMMY Awards - Red Carpet
Celine Dion attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
Desiigner attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Desiigner attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty Images
Drew Taggart and Alex Pall of the Chainsmokers attend The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Drew Taggart and Alex Pall of the Chainsmokers attend The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
Carrie Underwood attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Carrie Underwood attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
Steve Aoki attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Steve Aoki attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty Images
Diplo attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Diplo attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
Kris Jenner attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Kris Jenner attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty Images
Mark Hoppus, Travis Barker and Matt Skiba of Blink-182 attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Mark Hoppus, Travis Barker and Matt Skiba of Blink-182 attend The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
Ziggy Marley attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Ziggy Marley attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty Images
Heidi Klum attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Heidi Klum attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
Demi Lovato attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Demi Lovato attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
DJ Khaled, Nicole Tuck and Asahd Tuck Khaled attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
DJ Khaled, Nicole Tuck and Asahd Tuck Khaled attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
2 Chainz attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
2 Chainz attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
Schoolboy Q and daughter Joy Hanley attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Schoolboy Q and daughter Joy Hanley attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
Dierks Bentley attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Dierks Bentley attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
Josh Dun and Tyler Joseph of Twenty One Pilots attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Josh Dun and Tyler Joseph of Twenty One Pilots attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
Katharine McPhee and John Cale attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Katharine McPhee attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
Jason Derulo attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Jason Derulo attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
Keith Urban attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Keith Urban attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty Images
Michael Keaton and son Sean Douglas attend The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Michael Keaton and son Sean Douglas attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
Betsey Johnson and John Cale attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Betsey Johnson and John Cale attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty Images
Patton Oswalt attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Patton Oswalt attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty Images
Maren Morris attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Maren Morris attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
Kelsea Ballerini attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Kelsea Ballerini attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty Images
Gary Clark Jr. and Nicole Trunfio attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Gary Clark Jr. and Nicole Trunfio attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
Cynthia Erivo attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Cynthia Erivo attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
The 59th GRAMMY Awards - Red Carpet
Girl Crush attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images

“Your mother is a woman, and women like her cannot be contained,” went the poetry as Beyoncé showcased her growing belly. Decked out in a gold glittering gown and dramatic headdress, the regal star—who’s generally known for her athletic dancing—instead chose to keep it relatively sedate for the evening with “Love Drought” and “Sandcastles,” powerful downtempo songs about love, heartbreak, and healing. At the end of the songs, she thanked the audience, which had risen to its feet in a standing ovation—Blue Ivy and Jay Z included.

She’s nominated for nine awards, the most of any artist this year.

 

 

More Must-Reads from TIME

Write to Raisa Bruner at raisa.bruner@time.com