Miley Cyrus reignited a bizarre industry theory at the 2025 Grammy Awards, playfully hinting that celebrities feel ‘obligated’ to thank Beyoncé in their acceptance speeches.
While presenting the Record of the Year award, Cyrus joked that she might announce Beyoncé as the winner—even if she wasn’t. Though seemingly lighthearted, her remark added fuel to a growing speculation that the music industry operates under an unspoken rule: praise Beyoncé, or risk backlash.
Is the ‘Thank You, Beyoncé’ Theory Real?
The ‘thank you, Beyoncé’ theory has circulated for years, but Miley’s comment brought it back into the spotlight.
Over time, fans have observed a pattern—celebrities repeatedly thanking Beyoncé in award speeches, even when she had nothing to do with their achievements.
Cyrus herself referenced the meme earlier in the night when she won Best Country Duo/Group Performance and playfully declared, “We won, Beyoncé!” Moments later, before revealing the next winner, she teased, “Even if it’s not you, Beyoncé, I might just say it is.”
Social media erupted with reactions, with one TikTok user joking, “At this point, it’s not even a conspiracy, it’s a fact… why does everyone HAVE to thank Beyoncé?”
Beyoncé’s Unmatched Industry Influence
Beyoncé’s status as a cultural force has undeniably shaped the industry. However, some fans argue that her influence is so powerful that fellow artists feel compelled to mention her—not just out of admiration, but as a mandatory industry ritual.
The trend is well-documented. In 2017, when Adele won Album of the Year, she famously dedicated the award to Beyoncé. In 2023, Lizzo also thanked Beyoncé on stage, calling her “the reason I make music.”
At the 2024 Industry Dance Awards, JoJo Siwa took things even further, saying, “I also have to thank Beyoncé just so we can keep the dance community safe.”
A resurfaced comment from Jay-Z in 2024 also fueled speculation. While accepting an award, Beyoncé’s own husband made a point of saying she ‘deserved more Grammys.’
A Wild Celebrity Conspiracy?
Some theorists have taken the speculation to an extreme level, proposing bizarre connections between Beyoncé’s career success and the tragic passing of Aaliyah in 2001.
According to the most outlandish version of the theory, Aaliyah—the “Queen of Urban Pop”—was on track to dominate R&B in the early 2000s, but her untimely death allegedly cleared the path for Beyoncé to rise as the industry’s top female artist.
The theory even points to J. Cole’s 2013 track “She Knows,” which references Aaliyah’s death, and P. Diddy’s long-standing ties to both artists.
Though completely speculative, the conversation underscores just how deep Beyoncé’s impact runs in the music world.
Miley’s Joke or a Hidden Truth?
While Miley Cyrus’ Grammy moment was clearly meant as a joke, it has reignited serious debate among fans—is there an industry-wide pressure to publicly praise Beyoncé?
Regardless of where the truth lies, one thing is certain—when Beyoncé’s name is mentioned, people listen.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.