Beyoncé Bans Photographers From Taking Pictures Of Her At Kobe Bryant’s Memorial
Image via JStone / Shutterstock.com
Beyoncé sang beautifully at the public memorial for Kobe and Gianna Bryant. However, it was a closed-door appearance, as photographers were reportedly prohibited from taking photos of the singer during her performance.
The New York Post reported that organizers of the memorial told editors at the Associated Press and Getty Images they were not allowed to take photos of Bryant’s children nor photograph Beyoncé herself.
An insider told Page Six that Beyoncé is very selective about which photos of herself get released, and called it “surprising” that there was no such photo ban at other memorials such as that of Michael Jackson. The source also imagined this would be “offensive to Kobe’s family and the fans.”
During Beyoncé’s performance of XO and Halo, a Staples Center staff member was sent out to ensure no photographer had snapped pictures of her. Photographers were also restricted from pointing their cameras in her direction on stage.
The insider explained that this photo ban might “hurt Beyoncé’s image” as the memorial was about Bryant’s family, and not herself. “The only shots of her that emerged were screen grabs from TV,” they said.
Other singers who sang at the memorial included Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera, who did not express issues about being photographed on stage.
Beyoncé opens Kobe & Gianna's Celebration of Life with one of his favorite songs.
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2020
(via @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/SfcdOhtbLx
[via Page Six, opening image via JStone / Shutterstock.com]
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