Rumors that Beyoncé would make an appearance were swirling inside the United Center by the third day of the Democratic National Convention. They hit TMZ a day later. But by the time balloons fell upon Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, and the Democratic delegates, Beyoncé was nowhere to be found. Nor was Taylor Swift, the subject of far less serious speculation about a “surprise guest”—teased by dubiously sourced posters on the social media site X—who failed to materialize. (Arguably, the surprise guest was actually the newly minted nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, who had rocketed to the top of the Democratic ticket barely a month before.)

But attendees could hardly complain about the roster of celebrities who were in attendance. Rapper Common performed a version of his song “Fortunate,” tailored to fit the DNC. (“I thank God for this moment in time where Kamala Harris will change the world for the better with love, hope, and grace,” the rapper declared.) Legendary singers Patti LaBelle and Stevie Wonder performed some of their biggest hits. Singer John Legend and drummer Sheila E. delivered a tribute to the late artist Prince that doubled as an opening act for Harris’s running mate, Governor Tim........

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