On the shimmering night of June 7, 2025, London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium transformed into a visual and sonic rodeo as Beyoncé Knowles-Carter took the stage for the second performance of her highly anticipated Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour. The crowd of tens of thousands roared as the Grammy-winning powerhouse delivered an explosive set filled with genre-bending music, bold fashion, and heartfelt cultural homage. But amid the electric energy and dazzling performances, a notable absence caught the attention of fans and insiders alike — Amari “Monster” Marshall, Beyoncé’s long-standing dance captain, was nowhere to be seen onstage.
As London bore witness to Beyoncé’s boundary-pushing take on American country and cultural legacy, fans were left asking: What happened to Amari?
Beyoncé is no stranger to reinvention. From the futuristic sounds of Renaissance to the soul-shaking visuals of Lemonade, her ability to redefine pop music has long made her a cultural force. But Cowboy Carter, released in March 2024, marked a seismic shift in her artistry.
This 27-track album dives headfirst into country music — not just the sonic elements, but the socio-cultural complexities that define the genre. With features from Black country trailblazers and legends alike, Cowboy Carter is not only a personal exploration for Beyoncé but a bold reclamation of space in a historically exclusionary genre. It made history by earning her the title of first Black woman to win Best Country Album at the 2025 Grammy Awards, where she also took home the prestigious Album of the Year.
Following the album’s commercial and critical success, Beyoncé launched the Cowboy Carter Tour with a blockbuster show at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium on April 28. Each tour stop has since offered fans an immersive experience blending storytelling, country flair, rodeo culture, Black Southern traditions, and Beyoncé’s signature brand of choreography and fashion-forward spectacle.
London’s shows are part of a six-night residency at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Beyoncé performing on June 1, 7, 10, 12, 14, and 16 before heading to Paris for three more shows. Yet despite the visual abundance and star power on stage, many fans quickly noticed the absence of one key performer.
For those who’ve followed Beyoncé’s evolution as a live performer, Amari Marshall is far more than just another dancer. Known professionally as “Monster,” Marshall has been a dynamic force behind Beyoncé’s groundbreaking stage shows for nearly a decade.
Her journey with Queen Bey began in earnest during the now-legendary Beychella performance at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The HBCU-themed extravaganza changed the way the world saw Beyoncé as a performer and cultural historian — and Marshall was front and center as both a dancer and creative force.
As Beyoncé’s career progressed, so did Marshall’s role. By the time the Renaissance World Tour hit global stages in 2023, Marshall had assumed the title of co-dance captain, a position of both leadership and deep creative responsibility. Her mentoring of Beyoncé’s then-11-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter — who made her stage debut on the tour — earned widespread praise. Beyoncé even publicly lauded Marshall as Blue’s “dance stage momma,” a tribute that resonated with fans who admired the young dancer’s growing confidence onstage.
Marshall’s importance was cemented when she appeared with Beyoncé during the much-talked-about NFL halftime performance on Christmas Day 2024, during the Texans-Ravens game. As a leader and mentor on stage, Marshall has become a figure many fans look to as a barometer for the integrity and consistency of Beyoncé’s live shows.
Given her central role, Marshall’s absence from the June 7 show in London immediately struck fans as unusual. Social media lit up with posts asking where she was, with many pointing out that she had been a mainstay at every tour stop thus far.
“What happened to Amari?” asked one fan on X (formerly Twitter), a sentiment echoed by dozens of others. “She’s Beyoncé’s dance backbone,” wrote another. “It just didn’t feel the same without her.”
To date, neither Beyoncé’s camp nor Marshall herself has released a public statement explaining her absence. What adds to the mystery is that Marshall has been actively sharing tour-related content on her own social media accounts, including behind-the-scenes glimpses from rehearsals and previous performances on the Cowboy Carter tour.
While the reason for her absence remains unclear, it hasn’t stopped fans and insiders from speculating. Possibilities range from personal emergencies and health issues to creative reshuffling or even scheduling conflicts. In an operation as large and tightly managed as a Beyoncé tour, any deviation from the norm — especially one this visible — is bound to generate buzz.
For Beyoncé, choreography isn’t just movement — it’s language. It’s how she tells stories, embodies heritage, and crafts emotional experiences for her audiences. And it’s people like Marshall who help translate that vision into physical form.
Marshall is known for her crisp technique, expressive storytelling, and unparalleled energy. But beyond her onstage presence, she has become a vital part of the behind-the-scenes machine that makes Beyoncé’s shows tick. Her work involves not only mastering choreography but helping to direct, coach, and coordinate an elite troupe of dancers across continents.
Her absence on June 7 meant more than just one less dancer. It signified the loss of a key storyteller in the production — someone who has helped shape the show’s narrative rhythm. Fans familiar with the intricacies of Beyoncé’s stage performances were quick to notice the shift.
As the hashtag #WhereIsAmari trended among Beyoncé fans, speculation continued to swirl. While some feared health issues, others expressed hope that it might be a temporary break and that Marshall could return for the next performance on June 10.
One user posted, “Hoping Amari is just resting up or had a travel delay. She’s such an essential part of Bey’s team. Wishing her well regardless.”
Others speculated whether the staging for the London leg might have introduced changes to the ensemble — a reasonable theory given Beyoncé’s known penchant for switching things up to suit the tone, location, or storytelling arc of each show.
Still, Marshall’s absence underscores a larger truth about Beyoncé’s performances: every element is meticulously curated, and each performer plays a crucial role in the overall delivery. Fans’ quick detection of her missing presence speaks volumes about the deep connection Beyoncé has fostered not only with her music but with her team.
Despite the questions surrounding Marshall, Beyoncé’s June 7 performance left no doubt that she remains a peerless live act. Featuring a 39-song set list that traverses genres and emotional highs, the show honored her country influences while still giving nods to R&B, soul, and pop.
Dressed in custom looks blending western aesthetics with high fashion, Beyoncé rode atop a mechanical horse, performed atop haystacks, and danced through moonlit barnyard sets — each act symbolizing a journey through identity, resistance, and celebration.
Her vocals were sharp, her energy tireless, and her band and dancers (including famed duo Les Twins) delivered with the precision fans have come to expect. Still, for those who look beyond the spectacle into the heart of the show, Marshall’s absence was impossible to ignore.
As Beyoncé prepares for her next shows in London on June 10, 12, 14, and 16, fans will be watching closely to see whether Marshall rejoins the stage. Given that Beyoncé often performs multiple nights in each city with slightly tweaked set lists and staging, it’s possible Marshall could reappear at any of these upcoming shows.
In an era where social media accelerates speculation and amplifies concern, many hope the next update will come not in the form of rumors but through official confirmation — or even a quiet return to the spotlight.
Amari “Monster” Marshall represents more than just a member of Beyoncé’s dance troupe. She is a symbol of artistic excellence, mentorship, and the behind-the-scenes magic that fuels Beyoncé’s legacy. Her journey from Beychella to the NFL halftime stage has mirrored Beyoncé’s own transformation — powerful, intentional, and culture-shaping.
While her absence on June 7 left a gap felt deeply by fans, it also reminded many of the collaborative nature of performance art. Beyoncé may be the star, but her universe is built on the collective brilliance of artists like Marshall.
Whether she returns in London or rejoins the tour later in Europe, one thing is certain: her presence — or absence — will continue to matter.
