Beyoncé's 'I'm hungry' comment in new film resonates — but also raises concerns: 'She was literally starving herself'
It was through hard work — and serious hunger pangs — that Beyoncé made her big return to the stage at Coachella in 2018 — just 10 months after having twins.
In her Netflix Homecoming documentary, the performer talked about having to cancel her headlining gig at the music festival in 2017 after “unexpectedly” getting the news that she was pregnant with Sir and Rumi. It was an “extremely difficult” pregnancy, she detailed with preeclampsia and her weight hit 218 pounds on June 13, 2017, the day she gave birth. She also revealed that the heartbeat of one of the babies she shares with Jay-Z had paused “a few times” in the womb, necessitating to an emergency c-section.
Needless to say, it was a lot to overcome, but she didn’t have time to sit around, signing on to do Coachella the following April. Bey, the first black woman ever to headline the event, had four months of vocal rehearsals before four months of dance rehearsals leading up to the show, meaning pretty much no time off. And once she was back on the dance floor, it took her time to adjust. Her body was awkward, she wasn’t feeling like herself — and her extreme diet left her feeling hungry.
"I had to rebuild my body from cut muscles,” the songstress, 37, said in the doc. "In the beginning, there were so many muscle spasms and just internally, my body was not connected. My mind was not there. My mind wanted to be with my children. What people don't see is the sacrifice. I would dance and then go off to the trailers to breastfeed the babies. On the days that I could, I would bring the children,” also including Blue Ivy, 7.
While she was losing 1,500 to 2,000 calories a day between dance rehearsals and SoulCycle workouts, she wanted to do even more.
"I want to be able to do SoulCycle, the stairs and rehearsal in the same day,” she said in one scene. Though she added, “It's not like before, when I could rehearse 15 hours straight," she later added. "I have children, I have a husband, I have to take care of my body."
As for her diet, Beyoncé chomped an apple while detailing, “In order for me to meet my goals, I'm limiting myself to no bread, no carbs, no sugar, no dairy, no meat, no fish, no alcohol — and I'm hungry."
She admitted, "I definitely pushed myself further than I knew I could and I learned a very valuable lesson. I will never, never push myself that far again."
Despite how hard it was, it gave her the results she wanted. In another scene, Beyoncé excitedly FaceTimed Jay-Z to report that she was finally able to fit into an old costume."This is actually a huge accomplishment, because I never thought I'd get back into my old costume and I'm actually in it,” she said. “I still have a ways to go, but this makes me feel good. I've been sacrificing and working hard — huge, huge, huge accomplishment."
Beyoncé’s “I’m hungry” comment — delivered the way it was — was relatable to many. On social media today, there are endless comments from people — mostly women — saying they “felt” her comment or made them “feel seen.”
When Beyonce was talking about how she was restricting carbs, meat, dairy, etc. and she said "...and I'm hungry..." I felt that. pic.twitter.com/gKDmAcPWNp
— Twerkflo Dollar (@theearthprecise) April 17, 2019
Hearing Beyonce say “I was hungry” about that diet makes me feel seen because same.
— hopes the Central Park duck is doing okay (@Muhrsaydeez) April 17, 2019
Beyoncé saying “I’m hungry” while on a diet is the most relatable thing. #BeyonceHomecoming
— Lexi Welch (@lexiskywalker) April 17, 2019
Beyoncé: “I’m limiting myself to no bread, no carbs, no sugar, no meat, no fish… I’m hungry.”
Me, day 51 of keto: “Girl, me too” pic.twitter.com/fQOmth4Be3— ?𝕒𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕟𝕒 (@Rashona) April 17, 2019
I really respect Beyoncé...she gave up everything beside fruit and vegetables ! She said “I’m hungry” 😂😂😂😂 i aspire to have that much determination and discipline!
— Lou. (@TreasureB_) April 17, 2019
But many comments expressed concern over the internet’s somewhat excited response to the star admitting she was hungry. Especially because she was breastfeeding.
Please DO NOT try to replicate Beyoncé’s diet she adopted on #BeyonceHomecoming ! She probably had a team of docs that made sure she had the proper nutrients/supplements/amino acids necessary to sustain her. Don’t just starve yourself please.
— Call me Kari (@LyricalPhetish) April 17, 2019
Don’t get the game fucked up. The point of Beyoncé talking about her intense ass diet was not an endorsement to treat one’s body like that.
— alexis (@imm_AMazing) April 17, 2019
That diet she went on to prep for Beychella was harmful. She did it, and she produced something spectacular, but she was literally starving herself (& somehow feeding twins, too). These diets are not sustainable and really are not necessary.
— #Justice4IASF (@_iAmRoyal) April 17, 2019
Although she is Queen B, keep in mind this article when watching Beyonce's new documentary! It is so important to nourish your body, and, if breastfeeding, your baby! #nutrition #RDN #RD https://t.co/LbTi1A5RY1
— Cassidy Pont MPH RD (@CassidyPont1) April 17, 2019
And more than one person just wanted to feed the superstar.
When Beyonce said "no meat, no bread, no dairy, no carbs.. I'm hungry"
Someone feed her! pic.twitter.com/OUZ0HAlvlZ— rosiepr (@Ro_Dubb) April 17, 2019
That Beyoncé diet sounds like she was just eating air & drinking water
— Nick? (@iNimz) April 17, 2019
The documentary was released today — and that’s not the only thing out of Camp Bey. She also dropped a surprise live album with music from her triumphant and historic performance called Homecoming: The Live Album.
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