We Speak Entertainment
Woman Who Photobombed Beyoncé During Grammy Weekend Speaks: ‘I Felt Like I Was Hugged by an Angel’
Talk about being in the right place at the right time.
Susan Monaghan, the woman behind the now infamous photo of a really surprised fan reacting to seeing Beyoncé and JAY-Z, has recounted her unlikely story in an interview with the Boston Globe.
The New Jersey resident was in Manhattan on Saturday night (Jan. 27) with family for her granddaughter’s gymnastics competition and to celebrate her daughter’s birthday when she said she headed up to her room alone as the rest of her family stayed behind.
Monaghan detailed that as she exited the elevator she saw photographers and security guards rushing by and she tried to step out of the way but found herself in a close encounter with a “handsome” man that she could not place at first.
“I’m thinking in my mind, ‘Who is this?’ And I looked at him and he looked tall, and thin, and had curly hair, and was really good-looking,” she said.
Monaghan did not realize that she happened to be staying at the same hotel where Clive Davis holds his iconic pre-Grammys party and then she saw Beyoncé and reacted as any mere normal person would when being blessed to come in such close contact with Queen Bey herself.
“I was like, ‘Oh, my God!’” Monaghan shared, recalling the moment when she realized how close she was to music’s biggest couple. “I looked at her and all I could think was, ‘No one is going to believe me. No one is going to believe me.’”
She even began shouting it out loud and that’s when the “Formation” singer flashed her a smile that Monaghan read as, “Don’t worry, it’s going to be OK.”
When asked why she believes Beyoncé included the picture of her among the numerous shots posted to Instagram, Monaghan shared “I think she posted it for me. So people would believe me.”
To see the hilarious shot — which was spoofed and talked about on late night shows all week — skip to the fourth picture in the photo series below.
Newark, NJ– The 24 Hours of Peace event, hosted by Mayor Ras J. Baraka was nothing short of electrifying. As the crowd funneled in, in droves, Newark’s own Zaraye took the stage and would deliver a performance that had the crowd and social media buzzing.
You felt the crowd’s palpable anticipation as some of us had first-row seats to watch her rehearse in the background before hitting the stage– and Zaraye more than lived up to the hype.
Making an immediate statement with her eccentric fashion choice– a sleek black leather jacket and top paired with a striking lime green plaid skirt. Zaraye’s edgy leather and vibrant plaid combo came together perfectly to showcase her unique style, fashion background and ensured to turn plenty of heads before she even dropped the beat to her first song.
Kicking off her set with her eagerly awaited single “23 Remix”, produced by Jersey’s own Kamillion, her vocals excited the crowd. As she and her background dancers, mirrored in her lime green and black color palate, delivered the high-energy, precise choreography crafted under the direction of her creative director, American rapper and choreographer, Sharaya J, phones shot into the air as fans were eager to capture every moment of the captivating routines.
The momentum continued to build as she transitioned into “Bougie”. Between Zaraye’s confident delivery and the dancers’ dynamic movements, the energy was on another level, showing an undeniable connection between Zaraye and her audience.
By the time her performance ended, social media was already buzzing and one thing was clear, she had made a positive impression on those attending the 24 Hours Of Peace event. The crowd raved about her standout moment with praises from her style to her stage presence and the electric atmosphere she created.
“I came out to the 24 Hours of Peace event to see one of my favorite artists, Honey Bxby. I was left excited to follow the journey of Zaraye. I think she will be a star soon too, Jersey stand up” said Jennifer Richardson– a 25 year old woman from Newark.
Zaraye performing Bougie at 24 Hours of Peace- Photo Courtesy of @nortographynyc 
Courtesy of Newark Press Office 
Courtesy of Newark Press Office 
Courtesy of Newark Press Office 
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka 
Courtesy of Newark Press Office 
Courtesy of Newark Press Office 
Former NBA Player Lance Stephenson 
Courtesy of Newark Press Office 
Courtesy of Newark Press Office 
Courtesy of Newark Press Office 
Courtesy of Newark Press Office 
Lola Brooks performing at 24 Hours of Peace 
Zaraye behind the scenes at 24 Hours of Peace- Photo Courtesy of @craigmartinpr
Zaraye’s performance was an amazing showcase of her amazing blend between music, fashion and choreography. She truly showcased herself as not only an upcoming talent but a formidable artist on the rise in the music industry. As videos of her performance continue to spread online, it will be pretty clear soon, her name will only get bigger from here.
The 24 Hrs of Peace event that took place on Friday and Saturday culminated a Peace Week in the city of Newark that started Friday, Aug. 17 and included an Artist Against Violence concert Wednesday, Aug. 21 at Newark Symphony Hall’s Terrace Ballroom on Broad Street.
“We fuse the power of hip-hop music and spoken word to lift, heal, and inspire peace in our city, empowering every resident in that process, and bringing healing, hope and happiness into everyday life,” Baraka of 24 Hrs of Peace said in a statement. “During this 24 Hrs of Peace, we celebrate the reality that women are at the center of our city’s evolution as a model of peace, progress and prosperity.”
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