On June 28, Tina Knowles shared an intimate glimpse on social media into young Beyoncé’s first beauty pageant experience, recounting the story behind it and the unexpected outcome. This rare reflection, centering on Young Beyoncé first beauty pageant, highlights the family’s excitement and challenges as they navigated the unfamiliar world of children’s competitions.
A Family Effort Leads to the Pageant Stage
Tina Knowles revisited a cherished memory when posting a vintage photograph of Beyoncé dressed in a pink gown, holding a microphone at what would be her debut beauty pageant. The story is featured in Knowles’s memoir, Matriarch, and she recalled how the dress itself was crafted with significant help from her loved ones—Johnny helped finish it on the morning of the event, and Tina’s sister Selena hemmed it in the car while Tina drove them to the venue.
“I came across this post today and it reminded me of this day, which I speak about in my book, Matriarch,”
—Tina Knowles
“Johnny and I finished this dress the morning of the pageant. My sister Selena hemmed it in the car while I drove to the venue.”
—Tina Knowles
Facing Tough Competition and Uncertainty
Upon arrival, Tina Knowles saw other girls—with years of preparation—wearing elaborate gowns which intensified her doubts about Beyoncé’s chances. The atmosphere was filled with young contestants who had trained extensively for these moments.
“When we got there, there were tons of beautiful formal gowns that these little girls had on who had been training all of their lives for this moment. Beyoncé had never competed before, so I was like, I just knew she didn’t have a chance for anything…”
—Tina Knowles
Beyoncé’s Standout Performance Captures the Judges
Despite feeling unprepared compared to the seasoned competitors, Beyoncé put on a memorable performance that impressed everyone in attendance. Tina recounted in her post that Beyoncé not only stunned the judges but also took home top honors, despite her inexperience and the homemade nature of her dress. The fabric used for the outfit was only acquired two days before the event, adding to the day’s comedic chaos as described in Tina’s book.
“Lo and behold, she won everything she won for this best dress, also, that I got the fabric for two days before this homemade dress. I crimped her hair, and she wowed the judges. The story in the book goes into detail of how funny that day was. You should read the book,”
—Tina Knowles
Recounting Family Stories in “Matriarch”
Earlier in the year, Tina Knowles released her memoir, Matriarch, spanning nearly 432 pages and chronicling lessons from her mother, pivotal moments as a parent, and family history. During her book tour—which included a discussion with Michelle Obama—Tina spoke candidly about her concerns over how her deeply personal stories would be received. She emphasized the value in preserving family roots and sharing those memories with her children, such as the tale of Beyoncé’s first beauty pageant victory.
Through this reflection, Tina Knowles offers insight into how a homemade dress, teamwork with relatives like Selena and Johnny, and a courageous young Beyoncé led to a cherished family milestone. The story underscores the possibility of overcoming doubts and discovering hidden talents through familial support and belief—qualities that have resonated in Beyoncé’s remarkable journey ever since.
