Entertainment

What We Learned About Her Marriage During the VMAs

by Kate Ward

The last time the television viewing public saw Beyoncé on stage, they saw the pop star perform PDA-filled declaration of love for husband Jay Z at the 2014 Grammys. And the last time Beyoncé performed at MTV's Video Music Awards, fans saw the pop star announce the impending birth of her child, Blue Ivy. So there's little wonder why, prior to Beyoncé's 2014 VMAs performance, fans speculated that the singer would reveal something else about her personal life, particularly in lieu of the many, many divorce rumors running rampant about her reportedly troubled marriage to Jay Z. Would she confirm what's been speculated with a rousing rendition of "Single Ladies"? Would she quiet the haters by bringing out her husband for a repeat of their steamy Grammys performance? Or would she just invite more questions with something as simple as a troubling lyric change? (Hey, she's done it before.) So, during the 2014 VMAs, when the moment approached and Beyoncé began singing, we all expected something — but only seemed to get quiet confirmation that Jay Z and Beyoncé are in fact still together... for now.

After the superstar and former Destiny's Child front woman performed a medley of her hits from Beyoncé as the recipient of this year's Vanguard award, Jay Z and the couple's daughter took the stage for a very public declaration of the status of their relationship. Jay Z presented the "greatest living entertainer" with the award, while Beyoncé followed it up with a statement that was clearly directed towards fans and media clamoring for her to make a public statement. "I have nothing to say," she said, "but I am filled with so much gratitude." She did, however, have something to say to her family — turning to Jay Z and Blue Ivy, she said, "Blue, I love you. My beloved, I love you."

Clearly, this was precisely what sources were referring to when they said told Hollywood Life that Beyonce was hoping to "tackle the rumors in the best way she knows how, on stage." That said, the same source followed that statement up with, “During her performance, she is looking to do something to hopefully silence all the haters and the critics but, in true entertainment fashion, to make even more questions come out of it."

And, of course, we are still questioning it. Beyoncé and Jay Z didn't refer to one another as husband and wife. Beyoncé wasn't wearing a wedding ring. And Beyoncé sang the lyrics to "Flawless" that referenced that infamous elevator incident following the MET Gala: “We escalate up in this bitch like elevators / Of course sometimes shit goes down when it’s a billion dollars on an elevator."

That said, her performance also featured a touching tribute to Blue Ivy via "Blue," which came complete with footage of Beyoncé, her daughter, and Jay Z, and plenty of tears. But were those tears celebrating her life with her family? Or were they tears celebrating the end of her life with her family? In "true entertainment fashion," Beyoncé is most definitely having us asking questions.

Now, one thing is for certain — girl is adorable, right?

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Image: Getty