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Beyoncé supports Kamala Harris for president at Houston rally

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Queen Bey returned the favor.

Nearly seven months after Vice President Kamala Harris hailed Beyoncé's newly released album “Cowboy Carter,” saying she had “redefined a genre and reclaimed country music's Black roots,” the global superstar said it was time for “America, to sing a new song.” ” and vote for Harris.

On Friday, Beyoncé joined singer and actress Kelly Rowland in declaring her support for Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, at an abortion rights rally in her hometown of Houston. Texas has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country.

“We are on the precipice of incredible change,” she said. “Your voice is one of the most valuable tools and we need you.”

“Our moment is right now. It’s time for America to sing a new song,” Beyoncé added. “A song that began 248 years ago.”

The pop star said she was not there as a celebrity or a politician.

“I'm here as a mother who cares deeply about the world, my children and all of our children,” she said. “A world where we have the freedom to control our bodies.”

And so K-Hive and Beyhive are now united, the online community that supports Harris and the pop star's fan base.

Harris has been a long-time fan of Beyoncé, as Beyhive and rally-goers surely know. Harris attended her concert as sitting vice president and performed at rallies to “Freedom,” the pop star's song released in 2016.

When Beyoncé released her album earlier this year, she wrote in an Instagram post that it was “born from an experience” years ago in which “she didn't feel welcome.”

Fans say it's a reference to her performance at the 2016 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards and the country music industry's reaction to it.

“The criticism I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to overcome the limitations placed on me,” she wrote. “This is not a country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album.”

The Beyoncé Effect: A look at the singer's most important political moments

Harris, the country's first female vice president who is of Indian and Black descent, welcomed the sentiment.

“Thank you for reminding us to never feel limited by other people’s perspectives on our lane,” she wrote on X. “You have redefined a genre and reclaimed country music’s Black roots. Your music continues to inspire us all.”

This is the second high-profile pop star endorsement Harris has received since September, when Taylor Swift voiced her support for the candidate.

A poll released Friday by The New York Times and Siena College shows Harris and former President Donald Trump tied 48% to 48% heading into Election Day. Time will tell whether Beyoncé's support helped move voters “to the left.”

Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is the White House correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal.

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