In today’s society most people tend to see Beyoncé as a feminist. In many of her latest songs this claim tends to be true when listening to her lyrics because her main themes consist of women’s self-worth and independence. In Beyoncé’s song “Single Ladies” many female fans are getting the impression that Beyoncé is suggesting that marriage should be the ultimate goal in a single women’s life. The message Beyoncé is trying to convey in her music video is that women can stand tall and strong without a man by their side. A close analysis of Beyoncé’s body language and fierce eye contact in the music video bring out Beyoncé’s confident and commanding message. 

Throughout the song a viewer can see that Beyoncé carries herself in a strong and powerful manner through her posture she with stains. Beyoncé’s body language throughout the entire video displays the message she is trying to relay, which is women’s empowerment. The video is displayed in black and white and consists of Beyoncé and her two back- up singers wearing high-cut black leotards and black stiletto heels performing a series of cheerleader style like moves. The black and white represents a classy yet simple sleek look proving that Beyoncé’s dancing is the real focal point of the video, hence why the choreography is so entertaining. The director most likely chose to do the video in black and white because bright lights and colorful backgrounds tend to distract viewers from the main message that is trying to be presented. In the video one can see that Beyoncé is portraying herself as an independent woman by standing tall and confidently in her fitted leotard accenting all her curves and showing off her long legs, to prove that she perfectly content with being single. Also her tight fitting leotards and black stilettos make her look taller and longer to show her audience that she is fearless and brave when it comes to showing a little skin to help prove her point that women can be sexy without a man. Beyoncé most likely chose to wear black fitted leotards and stilettos because she wanted to inspire women in a deeper way showing that when women are confident in themselves they have the power to be happy.

The power that Beyoncé displays to her audience is represented through her strong body posture that she holds throughout the video by standing tall with her shoulders pushed back. The majority of the video is taken from a long shot angle which helps emphasizes Beyoncé’s long legs and body posture that her message is meaningful and powerful. Humans express power through their bodies. For example, if someone feels unsure of themselves they tend to hunch over therefore making themselves smaller but, when a person feels like they are on top of the world they tend to stand tall and proud. By Beyoncé standing tall with one hand on her hip in the video a viewer can tell by her postures that she is confident in herself therefore showing the viewer that she has the power to do anything she wants, without a need for a man.

Eye contact produces a powerful, subconscious sense of connection that extends even through photographs and videos. Beyoncé does not only try to relay her message about women’s empowerment through her body language but also through her eyes. The body movements and direct eye contact that Beyoncé is constantly making towards the camera make her message more intimate because a viewer can feel her intensity through her direct gaze. Not only does Beyoncé’s eyes relay her message but, so does the way they are framed. Her eyes are framed to fit a viewer’s screen perfectly thus leaving the audience to look at her from a different perspective. By the director zooming in on Beyoncé’s face it helps the viewers see her dark winged make-up that intensifies her message of power without even saying anything. Beyoncé maintains her direct gaze at the camera for the majority of the video but during the close up she maintains it for a goof four seconds to help really exaggerate her point that she is a powerful, independent woman. Another element that also helps emphasize Beyoncé’s emotion through her eyes is the black and white background. By a viewer looking into Beyoncé’s eyes without the distraction of color it gives it a more powerful connection to Beyoncé’s message. From to the help of directors Terius Nash and Christopher Stewart their close ups, long shots and color choice help Beyoncé grab the audience’s attention.

 Everyone does not view Beyoncé as a role model for women’s empowerment especially in the “Single Ladies” music video because of her appearance. For example, people may find the fitted black leotard to be ‘slutty’ because of the how much skin she is revealing in it. Women may take Beyoncé’s overall appearance in a sexual way, thinking that her outfit is demeaning to women because normally when women have tremendous amounts of make-up on and are wearing tight revealing clothing they are considered attention seekers. The clothing that women wear is simply a projection of what they are going through emotionally and mentally at that given time. Beyoncé’s reasoning behind her clothing option wasn’t to show women in order to be confident they must dress in a sexual way but, simply that she likes the way she looks and feels confident in her body, just like all women should. 

The “Single Ladies” music video is significant because Beyoncé gives it meaning through her strong posture and alluring eye contact she is constantly giving the camera. Beyoncé shows lyrically and physically that it’s important to concentrate on other qualities besides outer beauty. Beyoncé is a role model to little girls and grown women because she proves that no matter one’s age, women shouldn’t just dream of a big wedding and a happily ever after but, a future where they can be finically independent from a man. Beyoncé portrays how women should be independent from a man by displaying her strong confidence by standing tall with her hand on her hip, demonstrating that she means business. This video is not only meant for entertaining purposes but, also to help show women of all ages that they can reach as high as humanly possible because they have just as much power as men do. 

The most alluring thing a woman can have is confidence in herself to be her own person. Beyoncé shows she has enough confidence in herself to be her own independent person through both her intense long eye contact and her body posture through the video. When Beyoncé is holding a strong pose with her hand on her hip and a direct gaze at the camera it is clear that the director focused in on this particular shot because it portrays Beyoncé’s in her most powerful state. A viewer can see the main themes presented throughout the music video, women’s empowerment and confidence through not only Beyoncé’s tone of voice but also through body postures. 
