The Windy City was buzzing with excitement last night as Tyler Perry, the renowned filmmaker and actor, was spotted at Beyoncé’s highly acclaimed Cowboy Carter Tour stop in Chicago. The event, part of Beyoncé’s ongoing tour celebrating her genre-defying album Cowboy Carter, drew a massive crowd, and Perry’s presence added a touch of star power to the already electric atmosphere.
A photo of Perry in a VIP section surfaced online, showing him rocking a cowboy hat, denim jacket, and shades, fully embracing the Western aesthetic of the tour. The image quickly went viral, racking up thousands of likes and comments as fans celebrated the media mogul’s attendance at Queen Bey’s musical rodeo. The Cowboy Carter Tour, which kicked off in Los Angeles on April 28, 2025, has been a cultural phenomenon, blending country, Americana, and R&B influences while spotlighting Black contributions to these genres—a narrative that resonates deeply with Perry’s own work in highlighting Black stories.
This isn’t Perry’s first rodeo with Beyoncé. He reportedly attended the tour’s opening night in Los Angeles, where he was seen dancing alongside Oprah Winfrey, even doing a “dosey-doe” in the stands. The two media titans shared a joyful moment, with Winfrey’s best friend Gayle King also joining the festivities in cowboy attire. Perry’s Chicago appearance further cements his status as a Beyoncé superfan, with fans online noting his enthusiasm. One user commented, “He’s so Beyhive,” while another shared that Perry was “all smiles” during the LA show, especially when joining Oprah on the dance floor.
The Cowboy Carter album, the second act of Beyoncé’s trilogy project following Renaissance (2022), has made waves for its exploration of Black cowboy heritage and its fusion of diverse Southern musical styles like zydeco, blues, and bluegrass. The tour has attracted a slew of celebrity attendees, including Brie Larson, Renee Rapp, and Gabrielle Union. Beyoncé’s daughters, Blue Ivy and Rumi Carter, have also been highlights, with Blue Ivy’s solo dance going viral and Rumi making a memorable stage appearance.
However, Perry’s presence at the event also sparked playful commentary online about his iconic Madea character. Users jokingly remarked, “Madea in the building” and “He should’ve came as Madea,” referencing the beloved, tough-talking grandmother Perry has portrayed in numerous films. While the comments were lighthearted, they also echo ongoing cultural conversations about Perry’s Madea role, with some critics arguing that the character perpetuates patriarchal ideology and misappropriates drag culture, raising questions about its impact on perceptions of Black women in society.
Despite the debates, Perry’s appearance at the concert was a moment of celebration, reflecting the tour’s broader mission of cultural reinvention and inclusivity. Fans captured his “swag,” with one noting, “So much damn swag,” and others humorously likening him to a “proud auntie” watching from the sidelines. As the Cowboy Carter Tour continues to captivate audiences across the country, Perry’s attendance underscores the event’s star-studded appeal and its significance as a platform for Black cultural expression.
Beyoncé’s next tour stop remains highly anticipated, with fans eager to see which celebrities will join the ride. For now, Tyler Perry’s Chicago cameo has added yet another memorable chapter to the Cowboy Carter legacy.
