Kamala Harris with Beyoncé? Yes, but the star singer was only heard through loudspeakers

Kamala Harris introduced herself to the country she hopes to lead in the climactic moment of the Democratic national convention on Thursday — and despite chatter about potential mystery guests, Beyoncé's only appearance was over the loudspeakers.

In the end, it was the most traditional of convention moments coming through television screens: the candidate, her running mate and their families bathed in the cheers of supporters, with balloons floating from the rafters.

There had been an anticipatory mood as the night took shape, and it wasn’t just for Harris. For days, there were rumors of an appearance by mega-stars Taylor Swift or Beyoncé, whose song “Freedom” has been adopted by the vice president as a campaign theme.

“If she’s not, they better come up with something,” said NBC News’ Savannah Guthrie.

Looking for the big star

An NBC reporter wandering the convention floor asked delegates what they would think about a Beyoncé appearance. NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell, stationed to the side of the stage, noted shortly before Harris appeared that a curtain was blocking a view that she had throughout the convention of people who had milled about backstage.

Rumors were spreading online to the point where Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, posted on X: “Contrary to false news posts, I am not the surprise guest at the DNC tonight. My guess is that it will be Beyoncé or Taylor Swift. So disappointing, I know!”

<bsp-list-loadmore data-module="" class=«PageListStandardB» data-gtm-region=«RELATED COVERAGE» data-gtm-topic=«No Value» data-show-loadmore=«true» data-gtm-modulestyle=«List B»> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> RELATED COVERAGE </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Kamala