Fans in silver hats, pants and boots flooded movie theaters on Thursday night as they came to see Houston’s own Beyoncé on the silver screen.
The premiere of her nearly three-hour concert movie, “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé,” featuring performances and behind-the-scenes footage from her worldwide tour, had finally come to town. Movie theaters nationwide prepared to receive the BeyHive, and at the AMC Houston 8, special cocktails were served in a silver disco ball, with souvenir soda cups and popcorn buckets.
“Whatever gets me the Beyoncé cup,” Paris Louis, 25, told the cashier at the concession stand as he purchased empty receptacles, no popcorn or soda needed. Mr. Louis bought his tickets for Thursday’s premiere a month in advance and already had tickets to see the movie again.
In Houston, some theaters had sold out their evening shows.
Tasha Lamkin, 27, came alone to the premiere wearing silver stilettos and a see-through pearl top. Excited to attend the movie, she hadn’t been able to go to the live show, due to its high price, she said. “This is going to be my concert opportunity.”
Many in Beyoncé’s fandom have become long-lasting friends through social media, gathering together on occasions like this.
Nicole Blanto, 32, a native Houstonian who works as a public relations manager, went to Beyoncé’s concert with a friend she met through a fan club on Twitter a decade ago. “That is how you build community,” said Ms. Blanto, who, after seeing Beyoncé on tour eight times, joked that she would declare the artist as a dependent on her taxes because of all the money she had spent.
The movie theater remained filled as the hours passed while members of the BeyHive stuck around to take pictures and socialize.
Jonathan Champ, 32, a singer at the Houston Opera, was dressed in full silver with every element of his outfit from Beyoncé’s brand Ivy Park. He wore a silver shirt featuring Reneigh, Beyoncé’s tour horse.
“Champ, as in the Champ of the BeyHive,” said Mr. Champ, who had bought tickets for that night and for two more showings. He joked that in supporting Beyoncé he had spent the equivalent of a down payment on a house.
“I remember walking in with my grandmother into her room, and I see Beyoncé walking down in the ‘Bug a Boo’ music video,” Mr. Champ said. “I immediately knew I was part of the BeyHive before the BeyHive even started.”
Agnes Moon, 96, watched the movie with her daughter and granddaughters. Her daughter Kim Odom, 60, said she had to bring her mother to see Beyoncé since she could not take her to the concert. She had attended the live show with her two daughters, Maysen Odom, 22, and Kamryn Odom, 25. Though she said she expected the ticket prices to be lower than they were, the experience was worth it.
“I paid $800 per ticket, but I thought, This is a moment for me to have with my daughters,” Kim Odom said.
“We are from her neighborhood,” Maysen Odom said. “We grew up around the corner of her house.”
The family wanted to see the film version of the live show because of the memories it brought up for them.
“It’s more nostalgic,” Kim Odom said. “She is still outdoing herself even through generations.”
Kim Odom wanted her mother, Ms. Moon, to understand why she loved Beyoncé so much. Though initially skeptical about the artist, and unhappy about the heavy price tag on her concert tickets, Ms. Moon said that watching the movie had changed her perspective.
“I had to see her for myself,” Ms. Moon said. “She gives your money’s worth. She is such a beautiful girl, a beautiful person and a beautiful spirit. This is who I want to be when I come back around.”
