An 84-year-old grandmother battling dementia has become an internet sensation after a heartfelt plea to Beyoncé for concert tickets went viral, and the global superstar answered in a big way.
In a now-viral Instagram video filmed by Ida Mae Macklin’s granddaughter Gabrielle earlier this year, Macklin asked Beyoncé for tickets to her Cowboy Carter Tour, citing the rising costs of attending live shows.
“Look, Beyoncé, we have supported you so much… we have followed you, and I’m 80-something years old,” Macklin said in the video. “I can’t afford to see you no more. I hate this. We need some tickets, we in hard times. I used to have a lot of money.”
The video resonated deeply, garnering 1.6 million views on TikTok and over 7.2 million combined views across platforms. The message eventually made its way to Beyoncé, who gifted Macklin floor seats to her Fourth of July weekend concert in Washington, D.C.. During the show, Beyoncé gave Macklin a heartfelt shoutout while performing one of her favorite songs, “Boots On The Ground x HEATED.”
“I love you, grandma, wherever you are,” Beyoncé called out to the crowd.
Gabrielle captured the unforgettable night in a series of videos showing her grandmother dancing, singing, and beaming in her green-and-white cowboy outfit.
While she’s out on tour, Beyoncé’s presence is also felt in the movie space. Earlier this week, Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar’s “Freedom” was heard in the explosive new trailer for Leonardo DiCaprio’s upcoming film, One Battle After Another.
