Sydney Hardeman, who went viral for her reaction to Beyoncé’s 2018 Coachella performance, has died by suicide. She was 25.
Sydney, whose wide-eyed Coachella reaction became one of the defining moments of Beyoncé’s “Homecoming” documentary, had been planning an April wedding.
In 2019, her face went viral when Netflix released “Beyoncé: Homecoming,” the concert film chronicling the singer’s history-making 2018 Coachella set.
“I was expecting to see myself because I remember the cameraman being in my face the whole time, but I was so happy to be shown because it means Beyoncé knows my face exists,” she said with Buzzfeed News after her moment of viral fame.
“I’m surprised that it blew up, but I knew once Netflix accounts retweeted it, it would catch attention quickly,” she added.
According to Sydney’s younger brother Jay Hardeman, she was a Texas flight instructor and lifelong member of the BeyHive.
She played varsity basketball all four years and later joined the team at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, where she once set the school record for most three-pointers in a game.
She graduated magna cum laude and earned a full-ride scholarship to United Aviate Academy, he added.
“She was so determined and nice and welcoming and happy,” Jay said. “And she never missed a Beyoncé album or tour.”
Tina Knowles shares tribute
Following the tragic news, Beyoncé’s mother, 71, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.
“So sad to hear the news that this angel has gone to be with the lord. My Love goes out to her family and friends, and all the beehive members that knew and loved her,” Knowles wrote, alongside a video edit of pictures of Hardeman at Coachella.
“I remember the video that went viral of her expression at Coachella and all the photos after that I’ve seen. I didn’t know her personally,” she added, “but I feel a real sad sadness today at this loss of this young beautiful woman. My prayers up for her family.”