Beyonce and Ed Sheerans performance at the Global Citizen festival on the weekend was remarkable.
Truly.
We love a great collaboration and this one, with two of the biggest artists out there, was one for the history books.
However, their beautiful performance of their Perfect duet from Eds Divide album has now been overshadowed by a gender debate ignited by their choice of stage outfits.
While were sure neither Bey nor Ed deliberately felt they were making any sort of message known with their costumes, more so just thats what they felt like wearing there and then, it has caused a total gender debate online over the expectations of female artists versus male.
Beyonce was wearing some flamboyant frills in bright pink as she took to the mic alongside Ed, who was wearing a black tee and jeans.
Its quite the contrast. And the Internet noticed and called out the industry on it.
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And we can see their point – both are arguably leading their respective lanes, with Beyonce one of the biggest performers of all time and Ed not doing so bad himself.
But to be fair, Ed has always worn such outfits, and Beyonce the same. Her act is known as showcasing a range of amazing couture and bespoke styles. It doesnt take away from her music at all. It just…is. While Ed has either worn a shirt or tee on stage, and again, it doesnt really add or lessen the performance.
A photo of them onstage, however, began circulating on Twitter as Shon Faye underlined the perceived double standard between male and female pop stars and how theyre expected to look onstage.
She wrote: Ed Sheeran is a 27 year old man the fact weve enabled him to feel its ok to dress like this at all, let alone next to Beyoncé really boils my piss.
Others soon replied and gathered their pitchforks for the great stage costume lord, who they evidently wanted to set some rights to this juxtaposition.
I get this, one replied. Even tho I appreciate good musicians in normal clothes the double standard is ridiculous… what is expected of female vs male artists. [sic]
Another added: This photo is v v v v representative of what we expect from men and women at the top of their game, isnt it?
Race was also added into the debate, as one Twitter user felt the expectation for black women was higher again.
On the debate on Beyoncé's and Ed Sheeran's outfits at the Global Citizen Festival:
Interesting how the discussion mentions gender and not race. Make no mistake – the standard is definitely higher for Black women than it is for white women.
And that's my tea for the day
— Attou (@black_bi_babe) December 4, 2018
Others directed the heat directly at Ed.
Its nice that Ed Sheeran still dresses like a busker even if he's on stage with Beyoncé possibly the most glamorous woman on the planet. pic.twitter.com/wjzHzMW52m
— Becky (@GRravski) December 4, 2018
We should add, again, Ed usually just croons onstage with his guitar, loop pedals and not much more else; whereas Beyonce goes the multiple-costume, all out route. And thats fine. If thats what they want to do.
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That was definitely reflected on the other side of the debate, as Ed had some punters in his corner who called BS on the whole gender debate.
Both artists are on brand here, one said. Ed Sheeran would look off in a suit & Beyonce keeps wearing more & more lavish outfits. Each artist is ultimately in control of how they look. Beyoncé can wear whatever she wants, right? Same with Ed.
This is part of Ed Sheerans gimmick. He always wears stuff like this. Also do you really think Beyonce cares? She wanted to perform with him and he wanted to perform with her. Stop worrying about the outfits and listen to the music. You are part of the problem in music. https://t.co/jAY7xI0AYo
— Andy Piluk (@AndyPiluk) December 4, 2018
Another followed it up with: I see two artist who are wearing outfits that represent them. Ed is being Ed and Beyonce is being her fabulous self.
More: Beyonce Knowles
Why impose gender double standard where there is none. You think Beyonce lets anyone tell her what to do?
We have to agree with their logic – no one tells Beyonce what to do. No one.
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