Topline
Beyoncé’s publicist appeared to deny rumors the long-awaited third album in her “Renaissance” and “Cowboy Carter” album trilogy will begin its rollout at the Met Gala, the star-studded fashion event the billionaire singer is co-chairing next week.
Beyoncé has not yet announced the third album in her “Renaissance” and “Cowboy Carter” trilogy. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy )
Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Key Facts
Yvette Noel-Schure, Beyoncé’s longtime publicist, responded to a fan’s post on X claiming the singer’s speculated “act iii” album is complete and will roll out this summer, beginning at the Met Gala, saying the rumors are “unequivocally false!”
Shortly after Noel-Schure’s post, Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones reported on the “TODAY” show Tuesday morning an unnamed, “very reliable” source contacted the show to clarify Beyoncé’s forthcoming album will not be released next week.
On Monday’s episode, Hager and Jones discussed rumors Beyoncé would release music to coincide with the Met Gala, citing online fan speculation and recent Instagram pictures Beyoncé posted.
Hager and Jones noted Beyoncé posted pictures earlier this week wearing a purple dress, speculating whether the color was a nod to Prince’s “Purple Rain” as a possible influence for her new album, and that she made a post holding three lemons to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of her album “Lemonade,” also speculating whether the three lemons could also represent the third album in her trilogy.
What Do We Know About Beyoncé’s Next Album?
Not much. Beyoncé confirmed when she released “Renaissance” in 2022 that the album would be the first act in a three-act trilogy of albums, which she continued with “Cowboy Carter” in 2024. Whereas “Renaissance” explored Black and queer-inspired dance music, “Cowboy Carter” saw the singer foray into country, which has led fans to question what genre the third album would feature. Fans have long speculated the third project may be a rock album, with some pointing to a commercial Beyoncé starred in for Levi’s last summer, in which she begins the ad on a horse and later leaves a bar on a motorcycle—interpreted by some as a transition from country to rock.
What To Watch For
Beyoncé will co-chair the Met Gala on Monday, marking her first appearance at the annual arts fundraiser in 10 years. She will co-chair the event alongside Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour. The Met Gala this year honors the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s spring exhibition, “Costume Art,” which “explores depictions of the dressed body across The Met’s vast collection,” and the dress code is “Fashion is Art.” This year’s Met Gala has attracted some controversy and protests because billionaire couple Jeff and Lauren Sanchez Bezos are funding the event and serving as honorary chairs. Some posters have popped up around New York in recent weeks urging people to “boycott the Bezos Met Gala,” the New York Times reported.
Forbes Valuation
Beyoncé is worth $1 billion, according to Forbes estimates. Forbes named Beyoncé a billionaire in December, citing the success of her recent “Renaissance” and “Cowboy Carter” world tours, the value of her music catalog and her business ventures, including her Cécred hair care line and her SirDavis whiskey brand. Beyoncé became the world’s fifth billionaire musician, a small group that also includes her husband, Jay-Z.
Further Reading
Your Guide to the 2026 Met Gala: Theme, Hosts, Dress Code and More (New York Times)