Gen Z Universe (#Beehive)
IDOLS TURN RIVALS: IS QUEEN B OVERRATED OR ARE YOU JUST BROKE & BITTER?
By: Petty Prophetess
In this week’s messy but make it media, we’re diving headfirst into the hot honey pot: Is Beyoncé still the Queen, or has the crown slipped? Is she the culture or just cosplaying it in high fashion and Ivy Park?
Let’s talk, cousins.
We grew up booty poppin’ to "Crazy in Love," crying in our rooms to “Resentment,” and feeling powerful AF to "Formation" — but now? Some of y’all scrolling through TikTok like “She mid.” MID?! Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter? The woman who gave us visual albums before we even knew we had attention spans shorter than IG Reels?
Let’s not get it twisted. Sis worked for that crown. Like, seriously, from “Crazy in Love” to “Formation,” she’s been the soundtrack to our glow-ups, heartbreaks, and late-night soul searches. She brought black culture front and center and taught us how to own our power, even when the world tried to box us in.
But here’s the thing: the real controversy might not be about her being “overrated.” Maybe it’s about how she sets a bar that makes us feel we’re not enough — or worse, makes us question if we’ll ever get there.
WHEN PRAISE BECOMES PRESSURE
We’re living in a generation that searches for idols until they become rivals. We hype them up, throw them on the timeline altar, then side-eye them when they get too powerful. It's giving: “I love you but not too much.” Why? Because deep down, we’re wrestling with envy, burnout, and the constant reminder that success doesn’t come with WiFi and a ring light.
IDOLS TURN RIVALS — OR DO WE TURN ON OURSELVES?
We’re the generation that loves to build idols up only to drag them down the second they get too perfect, too untouchable. Why? Because it’s easier to pick apart a queen than to work on being your own. It’s easier to call Beyoncé “mid” than to face the hard work of self-love, growth, and accountability.
The truth? Sometimes, when we say “Beyoncé is overrated,” what we’re really saying is, “I’m not where I want to be — and it scares me.” She’s the mirror showing us what we want but don’t yet have the courage to chase.
THE IMAGE ISSUE
Y’all mad at Beyoncé for being an image, but also mad at yourselves for not being one. Be real: is it that Beyoncé is “overrated,” or is it that she reflects a level of mastery, mystery, and meticulous PR control none of us can seem to replicate?
She don’t overshare. She don’t tweet through breakups. And she damn sure ain’t doing Hot Cheeto mukbangs for streams. That makes her less relatable, sure — but more overrated? Nah. Just less available. And in this economy of oversharing, that’s currency.
RENAISSANCE vs RESENTMENT
"Renaissance" came and gave the girls culture, ballroom, freedom, and auntie’s favorite disco pill — but Gen Z? Half y’all were confused and the other half mad she didn’t give y’all "Lemonade 2: Emotional Damage."
Maybe the problem ain’t Bey. Maybe it’s us.
IMAGE VS REALITY: THE CURSE OF COMPARISON
Beyoncé controls her image like a boss — no messy overshares, no viral emotional breakdowns, just pure, calculated artistry. Meanwhile, we scroll through our feeds comparing our worst days to their highlight reels. That’s not just unfair — it’s impossible.
Before we throw shade, maybe we should ask ourselves: What would it take to own my own power like that? To be the queen of my story, messy bits and all?
THE BOTTOM LINE
Queen B isn’t just a star — she’s a challenge to every woman trying to find herself. She’s the standard we hold up, the reflection that pushes us to grow or resent. So instead of turning idols into rivals, maybe it’s time to turn that energy inward.
The real question isn’t if Beyoncé is overrated. It’s if we’re ready to do the work to be our own queens. Not everyone can be Queen B, but you can still be your own woman and a queen in your own right.
Drag, debate, co-sign, or roast — but don’t sleep on the truth behind the throne.
