Power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z will be competing against each other at the upcoming 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in a rare head-to-head matchup, each nominated in the same category: Outstanding Variety Special (Live).
What They’re Nominated For
- Beyoncé is up for the nomination for her Netflix special Beyoncé Bowl, the Christmas Day halftime show for an NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans in Houston. The performance was notable for featuring live debuts of songs from her Cowboy Carter album, surprise guest appearances, and memorable visuals—including the appearance of her daughter Blue Ivy on stage.
- Jay-Z is nominated as an executive producer of the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, which starred Kendrick Lamar.
They both arrived in this category of Outstanding Variety Special (Live), which includes other distinguished nominees such as programming around the 2025 Oscars and events tied to Saturday Night Live.
Why It’s Significant
- This is a rare instance where two of the highest-profile names in contemporary music and performance are competing directly against each other in the same Emmy category. It underscores how live events and specials have become increasingly important in the awards landscape.
- For Beyoncé, the nomination adds to a growing collection of honors. Earlier in 2025, she took home her first Emmy for Outstanding Costumes for Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Programming, awarded for the Beyoncé Bowl special.
- The rivalry is especially noteworthy given the personal connection between the nominees. Not only are they married, but their careers increasingly overlap in scale, production ambitions, and recognition for large live-television productions.
What’s at Stake
- Whoever wins will add another major award to their résumés—particularly for Beyoncé, who continues to build toward achieving EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony).
- The competition reflects shifting trends in television/entertainment, where producers, performers, and musicians are leveraging big live events (halftime shows, specials, etc.) as major showcases—not just for music, but for direction, production design, costumes, direction of photography, and more.
The Emmys Date and Details
- The 2025 Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, September 14, 2025, airing on CBS, with streaming availability on Paramount+.
- The awards in question are part of the Primetime Emmys, although some related honors (such as juried awards for costumes, direction, etc.) are presented at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
