“Queen B” dressed as haute couture Queen Elizabeth I

Every generation has their icons, the few celebrities who stand out from the rest as dazzling. For my grandparents, it was Marilyn Monroe, whose larger than life bombshell beauty lives on in the hearts and minds of people around the world to this day. It is doubtful, that if you were ask a stranger on the street who Marilyn Monroe was, that they would reply with “I have no idea.” It takes a mighty grace and charm for an individual to reach such infamy.

For my parents, there was Michael Jackson, whose reputation has almost overshadowed his great musical skill. Almost. Still though, despite selling millions of records all around the globe, many people only remember Michael as media fodder, his life shrouded in public embarrassment. And the amazing thing is, his humiliation occurred before the days where social media dominated our lives.

In today’s world, where almost anyone can become a celebrity, few have reached the renown status of Marilyn Monroe. What with bloodthirsty paparazzi always clamoring for the photo of the next big scandal and the media practically waiting to rip someone’s clean image to shreds, the concept of the perfect pop icon can almost be dismissed. But a very careful few have managed to avoid the spotlight’s snare, their talent shining through over any type of media travesty. These stars have done everything they can to manage their careers successfully  avoiding social controversy and malicious gossip.

One songstress whose career has remained solidly unblemished from it’s start is Beyoncé’ Knowles. Knowles could arguably be the face of our generation, releasing hit after hit, her face more recognizable than the leaders of some countries. Not only has she created a polished but tenacious image for herself, she has done so without any ugly interruptions due to personal circumstances. She has, in my eyes at least, emerged year after year as fun, fierce and fabulous.

2013 is Beyoncé’s year. A year to the day after the bore one of the most anticipated children of pop culture, she appeared on the cover of GQ Magazine baring it all as a new mother. This launched the beginning of her all out assault on 2013. She timed everything perfectly, from each cover leak to the arrival of her trailer for her new documentary on HBO. Every event was poised to lead up to her biggest performance yet, Superbowl XLVII. In front of one of the biggest audiences in the world Beyonce would show everyone that she here to stay. The performance itself was solid. Signature Queen B. But it was the unexpected and glorious memes to come that everyone would truly remember.

Beyoncé never expected to be the subject of something as a frightfully embarrassing meme. Even Queen B herself cannot avoid the extreme precision of todays video technology, which is able to capture every wonderfully awkward pose, muscle strange and fierce face. Unfortunately, her enthusiastic performance showed all over her face. And of course, the world was more than happy to exploit every unflattering moment. It started solely with a few embarrassing photos, which her publicist daringly asked to be removed from websites. Sorry B, not even you get a pass on this one. What followed were some of the most hilarious memes to date.

I think it was the rate at which the memes sprung up that was the most astonishing. It let like literally overnight, Beyoncé was everywhere and in the worst way possible. This phenomenon was something that Knowles’ camp could not have prepared for. They also could not use crisis control to clean up this little mess, they just had to let it happen. Eventually the memes did ebb and Beyoncé ‘s life went back to being normal and fabulous.

I think the reason that the world was so obsessed with this meme in particular was  because it’s subjet was someone who has never had a bad photo. Indeed, for years Beyoncé has been the picture of perfection. Personally, though, I find it refreshing that someone  known for being so put together could have a vulnerable, and downright ugly moment. If it’s any conciliation, the memes have only acted as a means of humorous publicity. If we didn’t have Beyoncé  on the brain them, we certainly do now.

If I know Beyoncé, this whole meme thing is only small potatoes. She won’t let it get n the way of her and her blossoming, musical empire. Queen B still reigns supreme.

The Social Butterfly

PS: If you want to check out some other awesome Beyoncé memes, go here, and be prepared to laugh your bootylicious behind off.