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BEYONCÉ KNOWLES headlined a star-packed concert at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday night – joining acts including Jennifer Lopez, Florence and the Machine, Ellie Goulding, Rita Ora and Jessie J – and we had a backstage pass. But behind the glitter canons, stage pyrotechnics and surprise guests (including a show-stealing appearance from Jay-Z alongside his wife), was a cause. The event was held to raise money for and awareness of Gucci’s Chime for Change campaign, a global female empowerment initiative founded by Knowles, Salma Hayek-Pinault and Gucci creative director Frida Giannini, calling for better education, health and justice for women.
Between the performances were powerful clips showing women’s real-life stories, each introduced by a set of high-profile presenters and ambassadors – from Jessica Chastain and James Franco, to Madonna, Blake Lively and Freida Pinto.
“Just the magnitude of this event is amazing, the number of people we’re reaching out to,” Pinto told us, prior to heading out on stage. “That, and the fact that everyone gets to be involved in it not just by coming along or watching to see their favourite performers, but by logging on and donating to whichever cause they feel closest to or that speaks to them. The best way to get people motivated to donate is to keep them involved and engaged and I think that’s exactly what Chime for Change has done.”
A donation was mandatory with any ticket purchased for the 50,000 people watching the event live in the stadium. A further one billion are estimated to have watched the event worldwide.
“Privileged is a word that almost everyone will be using, but I also feel very proud that I have been given the education that I have by parents, where I can use my voice and do whatever I want to do – I can choose my own career path, and that has brought me here today,” said Pinto. “So I’m really grateful for the education that my parents gave me.”
And if the Slumdog Millionaire actress was nervous about her big on-stage moment, she didn’t let it show.
“The only thing that’s making me nervous at this point in time, are these shoes,” she laughed, referring to her vertiginous Gucci stiletto sandals. “Otherwise I am fine – this is something that I feel so passionate about that I think the excitement overrides the nervousness. I hope to meet Beyoncé again tonight, but I’m also looking forward to meeting Salma and Frida [Giannini], and thanking them for doing something like this. It’s just amazing.”
Also part of the line-up were critically acclaimed sister trio Haim, who weren’t afraid to voice their admiration for head-liner Beyoncé.
“I’m definitely going to be front row at her concert,” said one third of the band, Este Haim. “I’m going to nudge my way in. There will be people that have been there since 9am and I’ll just tell them ‘no’. It’s insane, I just can’t believe she’s in the same premises right now, I can feel her vibes. We’re breathing the same air and there’s no filtration – I’m taking it all in. If I get to meet her, I’m going to be like a 16-year-old girl with braces.”
All from: Vogue.co.uk
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