Beyoncé struggled with well-being during demanding tour preparations and performances, revealing that despite her efforts and dedication, support for her health was lacking during some of the most challenging periods of her career. The acclaimed artist opened up about her emotional and physical exhaustion while on extensive tours, highlighting both the intensity of her work and the absence of concern from those around her.
Intense Touring Led to Feelings of Isolation and Exhaustion
Preparing for her tours, Beyoncé devoted months to rigorous routines—long daily workouts, strict dietary commitments, and relentless rehearsals with her backup dancers. She expressed her love for this immersive process but acknowledged how demanding it became, especially when support was scarce. During the 2009 I Am … world tour, which spanned 104 shows, her rehearsal days often stretched to 12 hours. After performing for nine consecutive nights, the singer experienced profound exhaustion and despondency.
“When you work that hard, you just need someone to say stop. You know? Your voice is a muscle and it needs rest, and imagine nine days,”
—Beyoncé, Artist (I Am … World Tour film)
She described a breaking point in which she became overwhelmed by physical and mental fatigue. The relentless cycle of flights, performances, and time in the studio left little opportunity for recuperation. Beyoncé emphasized that, despite her status, no one intervened to encourage her to pause or take care of herself.
“I was just delirious and feeling sorry and bad and I was like, you know, ‘I need rest.’ … And in the end, I cried because clearly I’m a human being and I bleed and I hurt and I cry and I fall just like anybody else.”
—Beyoncé, Artist (I Am … World Tour film)
The lack of concern for her well-being was particularly painful. Beyoncé articulated her frustration over the absence of anyone looking out for her physical and emotional needs during this period.
“I’m just really upset that I don’t have anyone that’s concerned about my body and my well-being,”
—Beyoncé, Artist
Frequent Disagreements with Her Father and Manager Over Demanding Schedule
During the early stages of her career, Beyoncé was managed by her father, Matthew Knowles, who she described as having a persistent, work-driven mentality. His expectations around her schedule contributed to ongoing tensions between them.
“He really knows what he’s doing, and he’s a workaholic,”
—Beyoncé, Artist (Vogue)
She recognized that both parents were workaholics and realized she didn’t have to mirror their relentless pace. Even as she tried to slow down, her efforts still meant taking on enormous projects like films and tours within a single year. The clashes with her father centered on disagreements about her overloaded calendar, with Beyoncé feeling overwhelmed by the volume of commitments.
“And for a while I was starting to become that way. I realized that just because my parents are workaholics — because my mother is, too — it doesn’t mean I have to be one. So I have slowed down a lot — even though my slowing down is two movies and a tour in one year!”
—Beyoncé, Artist (Vogue)
The constant negotiation over how much she should take on persisted until 2011, when Beyoncé made the decision to part ways with her father as manager.
“The thing that me and my father sometimes bump heads over is: just too much,”
—Beyoncé, Artist
Current ‘Cowboy Carter’ Tour Scaled for Balance, But Still Ambitious
Today, Beyoncé is promoting her tenth studio album, Cowboy Carter, with a new tour that is intentionally more contained compared to her previous Renaissance tour. While the Renaissance concerts took her across numerous countries, Cowboy Carter limits performances to the United States, England, and France. Opening at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California—the country’s most expensive venue—she completed five sold-out shows, reinforcing her enduring influence and popularity.
The opening night of the Cowboy Carter tour at SoFi Stadium was a major milestone, grossing $55.7 million and becoming the year’s highest-earning concert. The tour will conclude with two final performances in Las Vegas at the end of July. Notably, Beyoncé has prioritized a schedule that avoids the grueling, never-ending rhythm of earlier tours, perhaps reflecting lessons learned from previous experiences.
Although the tour’s scope is more restricted, it does not aim for modesty in impact. Beyoncé continues to command massive audiences and dominate the music scene, while trying to achieve a healthier balance in her life and career.
Reflection and Significance
Beyoncé’s candidness about her struggles has sparked conversation around the well-being of public figures and those working in high-pressure environments. Her openness highlights the toll of demanding schedules and a lack of personal support—which can affect even the most successful individuals. As she embarks on the Cowboy Carter tour with a focus on a more manageable workload, her story draws attention to the need for greater care and consideration for artists’ health. The steps Beyoncé has taken to regain some control over her career may inspire others in similar positions to prioritize their own well-being.
