At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Miley Cyrus playfully revived a quirky theory 

that has long been a subject of conversation among music fans: the idea that celebrities feel almost “obliged” to thank Beyoncé during their acceptance speeches. 

This theory, while lighthearted, is based on Beyoncé’s undeniable influence in the music industry, 

and Miley’s cheeky comment about the singer at the star-studded event reignited the meme in full force.

The moment came when Miley took the stage to present the coveted Record of the Year award. Known for her playful humor, Miley couldn’t resist making a light-hearted joke about Beyoncé. 

She teased the crowd, saying, “As selected by the 13,000 voting members of the recording academy, the Grammy goes to… Even if it’s not you, Beyoncé, I might just say it is.” 

Her tongue-in-cheek comment left the audience laughing and added another layer to the viral “Thank you, Beyoncé” meme that has popped up regularly in recent years.

This wasn’t the first time Miley had alluded to the “Thank You, Beyoncé” trend. Earlier in the night, when Miley herself won a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, she joked, “Good evening, Grammys! We won, Beyoncé!” referring to their shared victory. While Miley’s remarks were clearly intended as humorous, they captured the growing trend among artists to acknowledge Beyoncé during their speeches, regardless of her direct involvement in their achievements.

The “Thank You, Beyoncé” Theory Explained

The theory that musicians feel compelled to mention Beyoncé during award speeches isn’t new, but Miley’s playful remark in 2025 brought it back into the public eye. The idea stems from the belief that Beyoncé’s influence in the music industry is so vast and powerful that artists, whether they’ve collaborated with her or not, feel it’s almost a requirement to thank her publicly.

This theory has gained traction over the years, with fans pointing out the frequency with which artists mention Beyoncé, often without a clear connection to her work. A prime example of this trend occurred in 2017 when Adele won the Grammy for Album of the Year and famously dedicated her award to Beyoncé, calling her “the artist of my life.” Other notable examples include Lizzo, who thanked Beyoncé during her 2023 Grammy acceptance speech, and JoJo Siwa, who in 2024 took it to the next level by thanking Beyoncé just to “keep the dancing community safe.” These moments fuel the idea that an unspoken rule exists in the industry: you must publicly acknowledge Beyoncé, even if she had no role in your success.

Beyoncé’s Unseen Influence

Over the years, Beyoncé has become more than just a pop star—she has transformed into a cultural icon whose impact on the music industry stretches far beyond her chart-topping hits. Whether it’s her groundbreaking visual albums, empowering messages of self-love, or unmatched work ethic, Beyoncé has cultivated a reputation that extends well beyond her music. As a result, many industry insiders and fans believe that celebrities feel a sense of obligation to thank her, even if she has no direct involvement in their wins.

In addition to Adele and Lizzo, there are countless other instances where celebrities have publicly acknowledged Beyoncé, suggesting that her influence might even shape the way the industry functions. For instance, in 2009, Kanye West made headlines when he interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards to declare that Beyoncé deserved the award instead. Since then, the trend of publicly thanking Beyoncé has only grown stronger, prompting fans to joke that you’re not allowed to win an award without giving a shout-out to Queen Bey.

The Trend Goes Viral Again

As the meme gained new momentum following Miley’s comments, social media users were quick to react. On TikTok, a user posted, “At this point, it doesn’t even feel like a conspiracy; it feels like a fact. Why is it that every artist has to thank Beyoncé? This needs to be studied.” Others expressed similar sentiments, with one comment noting Miley’s double mention of Beyoncé and comparing it to the “conspiracy theory” about the singer’s influence. Some even speculated that there might be more at play, suggesting that the need to thank Beyoncé is not just about admiration, but about “fear” of offending her or her fans.

A More Outlandish Theory

Of course, the “Thank You, Beyoncé” meme has inspired some far more outlandish theories. Some conspiracy theorists go as far as to suggest that Beyoncé’s rise to the top of the music industry was aided by a strange twist of fate following the death of R&B legend Aaliyah. In this theory, Beyoncé’s career took off after Aaliyah’s passing, and the need for celebrities to thank her is less about respect and more about maintaining a powerful, unspoken alliance within the industry. These more eccentric theories further fuel the sense that Beyoncé’s power within the industry is almost mythical in nature.

Miley Cyrus’ playful comments at the 2025 Grammy Awards only added to the viral nature of the “Thank You, Beyoncé” phenomenon, a trend that reflects the unparalleled influence Beyoncé holds within the music world. Whether it’s out of genuine respect, fear, or a cultural norm that has been quietly adopted by the industry, it’s clear that Beyoncé has become an essential figure in the lives of countless artists, whether they’ve worked with her or not. Her unmatched status in the industry continues to keep her as a powerful and even mystical figure, one whose name is likely to appear in many more acceptance speeches to come.

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