Did Beyonce pour a $20,000 bottle of wine into a hot tub in her music video?

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I was recently discussing my cheapness with someone, and suddenly I was struck by a simple fact: even if I had crazy money to spend on nonsense, I would probably still live much the way I live now. I would buy a bigger house with a big pool. I would eat out at nice restaurants more often than I do now. But otherwise? Eh. I’m a cheap person. I love looking at expensive stuff (clothes, purses, jewelry), but I don’t really want or need to live that way.

Intellectually, I could see why someone – a wine aficionado, perhaps – would spend $20,000 on a bottle of wine. I would NEVER, but if you get your rocks off on $20,000 wine and you can afford it, that’s your business. But I will never understand conspicuous consumption just for the sake of the “conspicuous” part and not for the “consumption” part. If you spend $20,000 on wine, you better DRINK THE WINE. And not pour into a hot tub. Which is exactly what Beyonce did in her new music video with Nicki Minaj, “Feeling Myself.” The Beyhive noticed that in one scene, Bey pours a bottle of Armand de Brignac into a hot tub.

Apparently, Armand de Brignac wines can cost anywhere from $300 to “hundreds of thousands of dollars,” and some of the Bey-stans believe that this particular bottle costs about $20,000. All of this is moot if Beyonce just had the empty bottles and they filled them with water or ginger ale or whatever. Which is what I hope actually happened. Because if Beyonce really poured a $20,000 bottle of wine into a hot tub for a music video, then there will be blood.

Update: Defamer says that these particular bottles of wine were probably closer to $300.

😍 #FeelingMyself #FeelingMyselfVIDEOonTIDAL

A photo posted by Nicki Minaj (@nickiminaj) on

Photos courtesy of Twitter, Instagram, Fame/Flynet.

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145 Responses to “Did Beyonce pour a $20,000 bottle of wine into a hot tub in her music video?”

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  1. Patricia says:

    I’m with you on your feelings of not wanting or needing really expensive items to live and be happy.
    The most expensive thing I have is my wedding band set and it freaks me out some days to have that much money on my finger. I appreciate the gift from my husband but I think it’s not necessary. And both rings combined cost a FRACTION of this silly bottle of wine!
    Bey, people starve. People are cold and people have no medical care. I really hope it’s not real wine but either way the message is just gross. Disappointing.

    • Tristan says:

      Beyonce & Jay Z seem to get more & more out of touch with reality by the day. Is this why they are trying to hustle punters for cash with their tacky, overpriced Tidal site? It is disgusting to waste that kind of money for nothing when there are so many desperately needy people in this world. It is as gross as all the idiots at Nikki Beach in the South of France spraying one another with bottles of Kristal worth thousands of euro. Does anybody actually get impressed & go wow witnessing this kind of wastefulness?

      • Anna says:

        Yeah going to meet with Freddie Gray and donating thousands of dollars to bail out protestors in Ferguson and Baltimore is really out of touch!!
        Same with spending millions in your hometown to provide a safe space for women and homeless people!

      • AcidRock says:

        I agree, Anna. Those kinds of things are always conveniently left out when people rush to drag them through the mud for yet another perceived slight against mankind. Does the fact that some celebs do indeed spray themselves and others with expensive bottles of whatever really negate any good they do? Is it not THEIR money to spend as they see fit? Do the rest of us always help out those desperately needy people in the world, proportional to our income…?

      • Tiffany :) says:

        “Beyonce & Jay Z seem to get more & more out of touch with reality by the day”

        They are entertainers. They are creating fantasy. They aren’t promoting reality and reality isn’t what people want to buy.

      • annaloo. says:

        @Anna –

        To be fair, though, the donations for bailing out Freddie Gray protesters was not publicized on their part, but a reveal from what I understood of the reports. So, if they are altruistic or benevolent about issues about money, their intention is to keep it close. This photo , which was posted by B herself, is complete promotion, the image they choose to put out there… Now if we really talk about economic disparities and social wrongs- esp ones that manynhave alleged have created this unfair soil where incidents like Baltimore to Staten Island to Feeguson — what sort of message does this photo of “pouring” a supremely expensive bottle of champers say to those same masses? What does it say when you keep your merchandise stocked at a lux department store (Barneys) that was recently accused of racial profiling? Is this sort of materialism what is to be aspired to people? Is this the new “Let them eat cake”?

        I keep thinking about the line from the Red Hot Chili Peppers song, “Give it Away”:

        Unimpressed by material excess
        Love is free, love me say hell yes

        Jay and Bey are not gods. They cannot have it both ways to be seen as the defenders of justice or altruism, when so much of what they do and show is a caricature of the idle and uncaring rich, don’t you think?

    • ummm says:

      Just, fyi, in case anyone wants actual facts:

      1. This bottle actually retails for around $5,000. The $20,000 bottle is actually like 3ft high. No joke
      2. Jay is part owner of the company that produces this stuff.

      So, yeah. All sensationalism aside, this isn’t nearly as big a story as ppl want to make it. Per usual.

      • Kitten says:

        2. Jay is part owner of the company that produces this stuff.

        This. Why is nobody talking about this?

      • Bridget says:

        @Kitten: The Carters only mention products that they own or a friend owns. Of course the champagne is Ace of Spades. And they just got a ton of free press about the fancy champagne.

      • CatFoodJunkie says:

        Even at a lowly $5k (gasp) it’s an equally bad example. I see 3 bottles in the pic alone. How utterly unimaginative this video is.

    • Brenda says:

      Hopefully just water from the hot tub.

  2. Loulou says:

    I doubt it’s the real deal. Especially since it’s a video, and they might have filmed that take multiple times.

    • LadyMTL says:

      Same here, I doubt they had five or six bottles of uber expensive wine lying around just so it could get dumped into a hot tub. I’m thinking it was water or even cheap wine in a “decoy” bottle. At least, I’m hoping that’s what it was.

      • Loulou says:

        These music videos are just fantasies. It’s like getting mad at Kate Winslet for throwing a huge diamond into the ocean.

      • Kiddo says:

        While music videos are fantasies, the artist involved has direct control of which direction to go. An actress playing a role, as part of someone else’s script:
        tossing a diamond into the Ocean may have a completely different meaning based on context of the film overall. Or you may end up strongly disliking the character.

      • Lindy79 says:

        I actually did get annoyed at that lol.

        Give it to a free entry museum where schools can visit and enjoy it if you don’t want it you daft bint. Or sell it to some rich numpty and donate the money to charities but oh no, chuck it in the ocean like you did with Jack, far better idea.

      • Wren says:

        It doesn’t look like wine to me. Much too clear and colorless and unless there’s an uninterrupted take of her uncorking the bottle and proceeding to pour it into the hot tub then it’s just a prop.

      • BangersandMash says:

        Lindy……

        I love you!!

        And I agree, that was the real tragedy in that movie!!!

        Meanwhile the Carters are dumping someone’s college tuition into a hot tub. because= I’m feeling myself……

        Fake or not, we all get what she’s trying to say… Fake or not, what she’s doing, she can actually afford to do and is thus doing it in front of us because – I’m feeling myself….

        So, that’s all you need to know about the top 1%…. any questions?

        And no, God does not rule over a just and fair and equal world!!

      • AcidRock says:

        Yes, it seems way too implausible that this is real. Do people really think that all the Lambos and bling are also actually owned by the artists in the videos? It’s nothing but creating a fantasy scene, complete with props.

      • JenniferJustice says:

        There was suppose to be meaning behind Rose chucking her diamond into the ocean – irony – what was soooo important to rich mean dude meant absolutely nothing to her. He would have been willing to kill for material possessions, but she just thew it away as if it were nothing because it was nothing to her. I get that in real life it would be better to make good use of something valuable even if it’s for someone else whose in need, but it would not have made for a great symbolic movie scene.

      • belle de jour says:

        BangersandMash: your ‘because I’m feeling myself’ observation is spot-on.

        “Because I can.’ There’s a bit of Marie Antoinette about it, isn’t there, and a certain stylistic swagga, too. Things like this always remind me of the over-the-top stuff people fantasize they would do if they had pots and pots of money & power… lighting their Cuban cigars with $1000 dollar bills, a gold-plated loo, filling a pool with dollar bills or gold coins, etc. A bit of a caricature & a Lotto commercial.

        I guess the flip side is having a Bentley & a Rolls pull alongside each other… only to exchange a lousy store-bought jar of Grey Poupon out the window.

      • lindy79 says:

        Lol obviously i got the symbolism about throwing it away.. it was a joke.
        But still, old Cal probably would have rolled in his grave at the idea of the unwashed poor folk benefiting from it. Id have done that.

      • Livealot says:

        @lou. You remind me of when Kim lost her earring in the ocean and went crazy. Lol. At least she understood its value.

    • ISO says:

      My cheap brain can’t conceive of such waste. Good sense tells me they are pouring water from an empty bottle. Look closely – it’s certainly not red wine.

    • annaloo. says:

      Amen, the only way to truly know was to have been the prop master of the shoot. However, does it matter? The Carters have advocated conspicuous consumption and vanity spending forever

    • Anna says:

      It looks like water anyway

  3. Flahoola says:

    Ugh it’s a sin to see money wasted like this!

  4. Lucy2 says:

    It looks like water.
    Also looks like an opportunity to stir up publicity for the floundering Tidal.

  5. dr mantis toboggan says:

    Think of all the needy children who could have drank that wine. What will they pair their cheese with now?

  6. MrsBPitt says:

    I hope they just used the bottle and filled it with water, too! I, myself, are what you would call “cheap”…just the other day, I was looking for a new purse, and I saw one I liked on the clearance table at Belk. On CLEARANCE, it was $298.00!!!!! I’m just like you Kaiser, even if I had a lot of money, I don’t think I could justify spending more than I am used to. I’m sure, some of you, don’t think $298.00 is extravagant for a purse, but I don’t think I’ve ever spent more than $70.00, and then I was guilt ridden for days! And, I cannot get behind paying $20,000 for a bottle of wine, either!!! It’s crushed grapes, for God’s sake!!!!!

    • AcidRock says:

      I’ve had those inner battles, too where something is marked down at a steep discount but it still seems outrageously high. I’ve never caved so far, but I do tell myself it doesn’t seem all that bad when compared to all the cheap-o handbags I have that only rip apart or have the straps bust after a short while; I’m sure the total cost of the ones I’ve damaged is way more than what I’d spend on just one, high-quality bag!

  7. Sixer says:

    I like to think I would spread the wealth instead. But y’know, I might turn nasty if I ever did become super-rich, who knows? I hope not: I’m like you, Kaiser; things/products/luxury items don’t really interest me. So fingers crossed – if I ever do become a billionaire, I’d be the same as I am now.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      I like high quality things, and if I could afford them, I would treat myself while also spreading the wealth. I have a definite line, though. I love wine, but I wouldn’t pay $20,000 for a bottle even if I could. It just couldn’t taste that good, and I would feel too guilty. Or a handbag – I’d be embarrassed to carry a handbag that cost $20,000. But I might buy one that costs $2,000. And just ignore the guilt. Maybe. Gah! I feel guilty for even saying that now. I would suck as an uber-wealthy person.

      • Sixer says:

        I’d probably spend fortunes on travel, if I’m honest!

      • Lindy79 says:

        Travel would be my big splurge, and possibly a property in places I visit regularly.
        I have done that thing that if I were to win a huge sum (like Euro Millions big) I’d take care of family and vastly increase the monthly standing orders set up for charities I support but I don’t think I’d ever be one of those people who is comfortable spending huge amounts regularly.
        It ain’t me…babe

        Mr Lindy heartily laughed at Modern Family last week where Claire and Phil are out with their neighbours who order a $500 wine.
        Phil: “That’s like 100 bottles of your wine!”

        Apparently I am Claire.

      • Greek chic says:

        I agree with you…but maybe for the super wealthy people 20000$ for a wine or bag is not a big deal. We can’t compare our word to theirs. Their lives are completely different.
        They have also the opportunity to help people in need and I hope they do it.

        Most of us can afford a pair of jeans of 100$ but for others 100$ is their month salary.. Other people don’t have food or a place to stay etc.

      • Sixer says:

        IKWIM all.

        Greek chic – I can see myself spending more on some items. But I’ve been shopping ethically for so long now that I can’t imagine myself giving it up. I might buy new clothes, rather than recycling via charity shops, for example. But I’d be sure to be buying from somewhere that didn’t use sweated supply chains and paid all their staff a living wage.

        Honestly, I think I’d be crap at being rich. Not much about it seems to jive with either things I enjoy or the things I aspire to.

      • Kiddo says:

        Hey it is all relative, but most people don’t go out and buy a pair of jeans, so that they can burn them, or throw them in the ocean. I don’t think Bey is the first to do this kind of stuff, but I’m only talking about her because it is the subject here. I just don’t get it. I don’t understand why it is a fantasy to waste something. And representing this way, from people who already have sick wealth, they aren’t aspiring to it, imagining it, it’s real, just looks, I don’t know, completely tone deaf.

      • Greek chic says:

        Kiddo i don’t think it’s wine in the bottle though.When they are making a video they do multiple shoots. I believe it’s just water.If its wine in it she’s an idiot for sure. Whatever it is her move is ridiculous,that’s a fact..
        I don’t follow Beyonce so much to be honest.Truth is that nouveau rich people are the worst.

        Have you checked Rich kids of instagram? These are disgusting.

      • Kiddo says:

        I don’t think it’s REAL either, but the point of the video is what?

      • Greek Chic says:

        The point of the video is to make people talk about her. I am not a Beyonce fan, i listen to rock music so i guess i am not her target. These people just want publicity and they don’t care if it’s good or bad.
        Today all the video clips look the same, all you see is gold jewelry, expensive champagne and cars,it’s not just Beyonce. They promote the “rich” image and if there are out there idiots who want to copy this lifestyle that’s ok. These idiots are the ones that think Kim Kardashian is an icon.

      • I Choose Me says:

        I’m with you GNAT. If I had that kind of money I’d go shoe crazy and I’d definitely travel. But I can’t imagine dropping 20 grand on a bottle of wine either.

        @Greek Chic. Yup, it’s all about aspiration.

      • Sixer says:

        Kiddo: I agree. Presumably, the video is aspirational. But I can’t imagine ever to aspire to throw something away/waste it. One is therefore being encouraged simply to aspire to having so much that you can waste it if you want to?

      • Jib says:

        Sixer, I think you would be great at being rich. You would probably give most of your money away to carefully chosen charities.

        As for me, if my mysteries ever sell for big bucks, I am going to do one extravagant thing, a house on the beach, and then start a Foundation with a board of directors so people can’t come to me directly for money. They need to go through the Board. And since I’ve spent almost all of my salary on dog rescue for the past ten years, I think that I’ll ask the Board to focus on animal charities.

  8. Jessica says:

    It was most likely water or cheap wine, but just pretending is gross and tacky. The only ones who’ll find that cute are people who have a cellar full of the stuff, otherwise it’s just like going around saying ‘I’m so rich I can throw 20,000 down the drain’, and who likes that douchebag?

    • Anna says:

      Wow so many of you guys are so quick to judge and criticize but when it’s a positive story there’s barely anyone commenting. Beyoncé and Jay donate millions of dollars every year to various causes and helped put a lot with the #blacklivesmatter protestors. So even if they did want to pour some wine into a hot tub (which btw it looks like water) who really cares.

      • annaloo. says:

        Please, the judgment and criticism is justified. Seriously, what happened to the philosophy of #blackLivesMatter (before it was a hashtag) when it came to Barney’s? Or the tone deaf attempt of selling t-shirts from the Occupy movement? The parade of wealthy established musicians for Tidal promotion instead of unknown performers? Or even the seemingly benign bad photoshop attempts for Beyonce’s thighs? What sort of message of false confidence does that send out from a woman who sang “I don’t think you’re ready for this jelly”. they are contradictory all around, at best. And I hate to be cynical about their bailing out the protesters or Baltimore and Ferguson, but the whole thing reeks of being disingenuous, or not connected to what socio-economic is really about bc of all the contradictions they put out there. They are not about the “people” they are about themselves, and let’s not paint them out to be some great coming of anything.

        And no, no one was killed, but it’s pretty evident for the Carters’ actions, at least, that #BottomLineMattersMore. Personally, I think that’s gross.. it’s that sort of greedy and oblivious attitude that couldn’t be summed up better than in this photo, prop champagne or not. Anyway, if they are so altruistic and such heroes, why hide their endeavors and efforts?

      • Anna says:

        @annaloo lol Jay-Z joined a board at Barney’s to hopefully make changes..
        and they aren’t “hiding them” its just that last time at the trayvon martin rally people became more focused on them instead of what it was about so ever since then its been more quiet but theyre still doing it.

        secondly surprise!!!!! women can still be insecure and photoshop themselves even if they’re called the “sexiest woman alive” etc.

        lastly you have no right to change the #blacklivesmatter hashtag to something else to insult black people.
        i’m guessing you aren’t black so you don’t know personally how emotionally hard constantly seeing black people murdered on tv is, but for Bey and Jay this is obviously really close to their hearts so what they do for it is genuine. you should back off.

    • AcidRock says:

      Well, what’s a good alternative for a music video then, if not to exaggerate the high life? Should they instead portray a Sunday afternoon book club where everyone is sipping Asti Spumanti and eating Ritz crackers? It’s just fantasy; who wants to see that which they can do themselves, lived out in a music video? Is this really harming anyone? Obviously they’re not making these videos to appeal to their fellow Richie Rich in the next mansion down the block who would know this lifestyle firsthand because what’s the point? I fail to see how this is different from any other fantasy (pr0n videos, strip clubs, hell, even renting a Lambo for a couple hours – anything that portrays something far out of the ordinary day-to-day).

      • Kitten says:

        This. Is it derivative, uninspired, and uninteresting? Yes. To me, at least.

        But as you said, they’re creating and promoting a fantasy. It sort of reminds me of the thread about the Swift video that got picked apart. Since when does every music video have some sort of moral obligation?

      • ISO says:

        I’m surprised on one mentions how these two (minaj and bey) are major skin bleachers. I’m a bit concerned by this trend- it seems so toxic, and what’s not beautiful about dark chocolatey skin? I’m just baffled.

      • CatFoodJunkie says:

        There IS a gray area between Sunday book clubs and ritz crackers to obnoxious and supremely wasteful behavior. Something interesting, something that captures the imagination, maybe even something with some meaning. (They supposedly donated to Ferguson arrestees, maybe a nice supportive “black lives matter” video?) I believe if you have a voice that is as widely heard as is theirs, you should try to use it for good and to help bring awareness of issues and circumstances. This “high life” don’t-you-wanna-be-me stuff makes my skin crawl and saddens me for such a lost opportunity. Strong black women, beautiful and rich, and they could do SO MUCH with even a simple video. They’re swimming (probably literally) in money and attention – and THIS drivel is what they spit out ? I will Pass. And that’s the beauty of our way of life here in the USA – we don’t like something, we can change the dam* channel.

      • Jessica says:

        They could pretend to drink the incredibly expensive wine? Instead of pretending to throw it away. Still get’s across the fact that they’re rich, but isn’t half as obnoxious.

  9. Size Does Matter says:

    Gross. Because that’s the kind of lifestyle we should all aspire, too, right? Not me.

  10. Nev says:

    Always so extra.

  11. Kiddo says:

    I don’t get promoting the concept of waste, even if faked. Yes, it is a luxury item represented, and we know you’re rich, but what’s the point of the video other than that you have too much money: when what amounts to a year’s salary, for some, is tossed down the drain?

    I really don’t get why this is a ‘thing’.

    • Tifygodess24 says:

      Yes x’s a million! 👏

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      Yes, what an excellent point. Does she think it’s elegant to be able to waste money? Because it’s the opposite.

      • Size Does Matter says:

        I don’t think “elegant” is the look they’re going for. “Decadent,” if I’m being generous, but it just screams “ridiculous” to me. Not that I’m the target audience.

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        Ah, I see. Gross.

      • Birdix says:

        And, well, with size does matter in mind, it’s rather phallic, no?

      • Size Does Matter says:

        Ah! Phallic indeed!

      • Tiffany :) says:

        To be wasteful is a luxury, and they are just indulging that fantasy.

        Its like the reality shows that have been so popular based on watching the rich lifestyle: Housewives, Girls Next Door, Simple Life, Kardashians, Shahs of Sunset, etc. Some people like having a moment outside of their own restricted reality, to see other people indulge in ways that they can’t. Like throwing expensive wine in another woman’s face, getting silly medical procedures that have no purpose other than for vanity, seeing thousands spent on tiny Halloween costumes that barely cover the body. It is relaxing for some to step out of their own reality for a minute and see someone else getting extravagant in theirs.

        Before reality shows, there was soap operas and Falcon Crest, Dynasty, etc. that were all about the dramas of rich people.

        I don’t watch these shows myself, but there is a market for some reason.

      • Kitten says:

        YES, Tiffany. Perfectly articulated.

  12. LB says:

    Real or fake, Bey and her husband have lost touch with reality for a long time now. It’s why anyone is even wondering if they’d be capable of throwing 20000 dollars away like that.

  13. Belle Epoch says:

    Thanks for this article – even if it is water. B and JayZ have always been the queen and king of conspicuous consumption. They have crap values. Remember the diamond encrusted baby tub? I find them both nauseating and completely un-original. So they drink Cristal (sp?) and give each other mega-expensive cars? Wow, how creative. I don’t understand their fans who think this is great. What vile people.

    • Jessica says:

      I totally forget about all the crazy things they bought when Blue Ivy arrived.

      • Virgilia Coriolanus says:

        Oh God, I remember the stories coming out about diamond encrusted binkies, tiaras…like seriously? Who spends that much money on USELESS stuff?

    • Grace says:

      Oh, was it confirmed they purchased those items that tabloids kept mentioning? Or are you just taking it as gospel because they’re “vile people”? I never understand why people care about how other people spend money they’ve earned. Fascinating.

      • AcidRock says:

        Grace, I’m equally confused. This is all just a bunch of wadded-up panties over nothing.

  14. cc says:

    Well pinot noir is a red wine- and the liquid coming out of the bottle is clearly not red. I honestly find it so weird that this is even a story based on the video alone (as opposed to someone on set leaking something or a purchase order or something). Clearly its fake, and clearly they didn’t actually waste 20k in a tub. I have no doubt that they would buy and drink a 20k bottle but I think its absurd to base a news article around a music video. Also: I don’t think taylor swift assembled an actual supermodel army either, I think it was just acting for the video.

    • Lucy2 says:

      Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt has ruined Pinot Noir for me (in a spectacu-lar, mid-sized car, Roseanne Bar kind of way)
      Peeeeeenooooo Noooooir!

    • InsertNameHere says:

      You realize that this is an entertainment blog and not a news site, right? It isn’t a “news article”.

    • ella says:

      You can make white wine out of red grapes. In fact many champagnes are made of 100 % Pinot Noir.

      • lou says:

        But those are sold with the label ‘champagne’, not ‘pinot noir’. Pinot noir is a red wine.

        It’s definitely fake. People need to move on. It’s just a video clip.

  15. Beatrice says:

    If I got super rich I would definitely buy myself a Birkin bag. Not much of a chance, though.

    • Lindy79 says:

      I’d get 1 Mulberry Bayswater or Alexa bag and guard it with my life.
      I’ll never afford or justify either of them in real life

    • Luna says:

      I’d get a Kelly Bag. *sigh* Meanwhile, I’ve been saving for months to buy a Kate Spade bag at an incredible discount. Can’t wait till it finally arrives. *_*

  16. amanda says:

    I want to say it’s water or a multiple-take situation, maybe she did pour it out the first time, but kept doing the shot over.

    that being said, I wouldn’t put it past her to pour it out. It’s not her fault that there is a WINE that costs this much. it’s embarrassing that somebody would charge and pay that, IMO.

    But it’s Beyonce…so I wouldn’t put it past her to think nothing of it.

  17. N says:

    The saddest thing about this whole non-story is that the bottle is just a trick to attract more people to watching this crappy video…

    Pity, nowadays you need to create absurd stories for your music to sell. Your voice or talent are just not enough anymore….and to think this woman has not a bad voice…

    • Kiddo says:

      I don’t understand why you would want to represent this way, even if it is faked, which I believe it is.
      Is the song in the video an anthem against the gluttony and the excesses of the 1%? Or is it showing off wealth and waste, as if that is a cool/hip thing?

      • Lindy79 says:

        Exactly Kiddo, they’re selling something to aspire to so even if it’s faked which it obviously is, that’s why props teams exist in stage/tv/video/movie industries, they’re selling this as a good thing, and a thing to admire and be jealous of.

      • AcidRock says:

        WHO CARES, though? If you don’t like or understand it, good for you. It doesn’t take away from those who do think something like is purely an entertaining little piece of fluff. Whether someone genuinely looks at this and thinks “that’s how I’d like to live some day” or just likes the silly, over-the-top aspect of it, again, it’s a 4-minute video. Seriously, are people really surprised that this is coming from the Bey camp? And if so, why does it matter? So you wouldn’t personally represent such an idea to the masses, but you ain’t the one in front of the camera. It’s really confusing how much people seem genuinely upset over a music video. This is nothing new, it’s nothing original or even that creative, and further it’s nothing controversial or disgusting. It’s just portraying a fantasy; some like/get it and some don’t. The world keeps a-turnin’ anyway. Good grief.

      • Kiddo says:

        AcidRock, having a critical discussion about a video on CB is entirely different than being ‘upset’ about it in real life. We often critique films, videos, etc the message of films, the impact of the Kardashians, etc and what they mean in the context of society. You sound a lot more angry aka ‘upset’ in your comment than I do in any of mine.

      • Kitten says:

        Would the average person even notice that wine bottle in the video at all? I know I wouldn’t have if there wasn’t a post here about it.

        Featuring Armand de Brignac in this video was a clever way for Jay Z to plug the champagne company that he owns, end of.

        BTW, Jay Z used Armand de Brignac in his Show Me What You Got video, when he turns down the Cristal and asks for the server to bring him a bottle or Armand.

  18. Darlene says:

    I’m pretty sure Jay-Z owns Armand de Brignac Champagne, so 1) it probably didn’t cost her a cent if it’s real and 2) it’s got people talking about this overpriced wine like crazy, and will probably boost sales.

    I think it’s ridiculous.

  19. Mimz says:

    Really? Are we discussing this?
    With all the rappers IN THE WORLD displaying “money” and bottles and SMOKING cigars and whatever else which is waaaay more offensive, even though I think Beyonce would probably buy 5 bottles of that and drink it in a day i don’t think she did it for a video.

    it’s COMMON SENSE y’all!! isn’t there anything else more noteworthy in the damn video to discuss?

    -_-

    • Dani Lakes DDS says:

      Unfortunately, there ISN’T anything else noteworthy to discuss in this video. Sadly, gone are the days of making truly good and interesting videos. Now it’s more of the same crap to a slightly different beat.

  20. Naddie says:

    One thing is having your amount of money and spend it the way you want. Other is showing off and bragging about it nonstop. I’m seriously done with this woman, despite loving her voice and songs (not that she gives a crap about me anyway). I just can’t look at her and her husband and not feel disgusted. And for the people who says it’s just water, it doesn’t actually matter. Like Patricia said, it’s the message that’s being sent.

    • AcidRock says:

      But is this really the worst thing in the world, though? So she’s doing something over-the-top; compare that to all the other gross things artists have done in videos (rampant misogyny, strip clubs, booty cheeks flying in the camera, women used as nothing more than sexual props, violence) – is this really so bad that it would cause you to stop being a fan? You do realize that the main market for this kind of music, and this kind of imagery, is rooted in flaunting and braggadocious behavior (I may have just made that word up) – “look at me! I’m VIP! I get all the girls! I drive a Bentley! I pop Cristal! I party nonstop! I fly private jets!” This message is nothing new, and I’m confused as to why people are only now seeing it as something controversial or noteworthy of an entire comment board’s worth of comments denigrating Bey for doing this. It’s not like it’s been her sole MO for her entire music career; switching it up and showing this kind of over-the-top fantasy life for one video does not make her a monster.

      • Naddie says:

        The message is nothing new, that’s why I’ve always been critical about it. I don’t pick on Beyoncé, just for you to know. If I stopped being a fan, it’s because I evolved as a person (I’m not saying Beyoncé’s fans are less than me) and I don’t feel like listening to someone bragging about money all the time anymore. And, if people are starting to see the stupidity of the “roots of flaunting and braggadocious behaviour”, it’s a good thing. My only problem with this is that I don’t see the same amount of critics over male artists.
        Your point is pretty valid, but I have to disagree.

      • Naddie says:

        And oh, I just gotta make it clear that the disgust is over their public persona. I would never say “they are really bad people”, since I don’t actually know any of them.

  21. Frosty says:

    It’s funny to read about this after literally just having read this – excellent breakdown of grades of wealth: http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/2s9u0s/what_do_insanely_wealthy_people_buy_that_ordinary/cnnmca8

    • Sofia says:

      As the economy goes into sh*t and people loose their jobs and even the ones who work earn miserably I believe most of them/us will become increasingly annoyed by this show off of wealth, this tacky new rich thing where the more expensive the better. We can’t relate to it, and even the escapism that we look for when we look into celebs lives and the glamour we imagine they live in becomes difficult to accept when it’s just them YELLING how rich they are sending this message that they are above all just because they have diamonds in their bathtubs. People are starting to become intolerant to this attitude, at least it seems like that to me. Unless you are brainwashed and really believe that money IS EVERYTHING, that these people are perfect and that they can be a bunch of idiots just because they have $$$.

      • Frosty says:

        Sophia: I agree. Back in the greed-is-good 80s consumption was equally conspicuous, in my opinion, but there was still the illusion that *you* could achieve wealth/dreams/etc too. The idea of the American Dream was still very much in play, maybe even at it’s zenith. But over the last 30 years we’ve seen, both in the u.s. and elsewhere, the hollowing out of the real economy. I often feel with Bey in particular but not only her for sure, that her PR is operating in some timewapr, as if it is 1996. So I can’t fault her, she’s no different, as a fantasy figure of wealth and the good life, than say George Clooney. But I agree I think the audience is really on the verge of turning on them all, and it’s about the economy.

      • Sofia says:

        “We live in an age in which ideas, important ideas, are worn like articles of fashion.” Tom Wolfe from the book (way more than luck)

        I feel our lack of intolerance and cynicism also breeds from this. Because they show off but then pretend to care about things (Look at Tidal and “oh let’s help the artists”) we know they don’t care about at all. It’s greediness with a façade. They all want something from us, they need clients and I guess we are coming into a point of saturation. That with the current economy and the lack of hope (the 80’s consumption you described was spot on) can result into this constant annoyance about these people.

        I read your link from reddit and it is marvelous! Thanks!

  22. aang says:

    I don’t care if it was fake. Still gross. She is so tacky.

  23. AlmondJoy says:

    Yesterday’s article mentioned how Jay and Bey came to my city to offer encouragement to the family of Freddie Gray and it barely got any comments. They go to Haiti to help eith humanitarian efforts…barely any comments. Beyonce changes her ponytail in an elevator… tons of complaints. She spends tons of money on wine.. Lots of comments. So interesting.

    • Grace says:

      The double standard for Beyonce has on Celebitchy always been interesting. Not surprised by this at all.

      • Grace says:

        Well, this wasn’t English. Let’s try this again: The double standard Celebitchy has for Beyonce has always been interesting. Not surprised by this at all.

    • Kiddo says:

      I was impressed with the efforts made in regard to the protestors. This video representation is just a 180° counter to that sentiment. Like I mentioned above, Bey didn’t invent this trope, but she has more exposure than other artists, and I think it’s not a good message, overall. Is it the worse thing ever done? Of course not. Is it fantasy? Yes. But like any uber-wealthy celebrity, CEO of a corporation, politician, etc., it just feels distasteful to flaunt wealth to the point of waste (obvs faked), when there are such disparities of wealth from the 1% of the 1% to the rest of the people.

      I hope that makes sense. It doesn’t make me hate her, I just am at a loss for appreciation of this type of thing from anyone, unless it is satire or parody, I guess.

      • Marty says:

        I understand what you’re saying about being wasteful Kiddo, but unfortunately it isn’t just a Beyonce thing, it’s a societal thing.

        I was at a local restaurant yesterday that is know for serving larger proportions and I was looking at all the food that was left over on these tables that were just going to be thrown away. It made me sad to think about how wasteful it was.

        FYI- The $20,000 bottle is for the party bottle that is 4 ft. tall, obviously not the one Beyonce was using.

    • Sofia says:

      I do understand that there’s a lot of hypocrisy in their actions. What they sell and the image they put out contradicts any sort of social concerns. They sell power associated with money and social issues many times breed out of no power because there’s no money. They show off to kids how rich they are and many look up to them. If you tell me “oh but at least they are doing something”, well yes, I agree, but I won’t close my eyes to the hypocrisy. This reminds me of guilt donations, people who know are contributing to problems but then donate some money to the cause so they feel better. I’m sorry if I’m being unfair but they made cynical.

      • Naddie says:

        You just got inside my head and took the words off.

      • Sofia says:

        Thanks @Naddie. English is not my 1st language and sometimes it fails me but I guess that inspiration and annoyance at equal measures really help HA!:)

    • I Choose Me says:

      Beyonce is not the only polarizing celeb on here. It largely has to do with the likability or not of the celeb in question. Beyonce gets no more hate imo than Kim, Gwyneth or Kristen Stewart.

      • Kitten says:

        Agreed.

      • Sofia says:

        One of the main things I notice in different gossip websites about these examples is the fact that even though their lives are not dreamy, their problems (being famous can make their lives messy and complicated in ways we are probably not aware of) are not relatable to the ones who are supposed to read their interviews. To us, to the most of us they complain about things that seem small, stupid and out of touch. And even when they don’t complain, they make comments that shows how out of touch they are and we feel annoyed because they don’t get that, they have no perspective even though have access to “everything”. We are understandably increasingly intolerant with it because many represent something we despise. And when the world is economically suffering so much it becomes even more difficult to accept a certain kind of delusional life they live specially because they try to sell it to us. And we are supposed to accept it blindly. Oh and buy whatever they tell us to buy. (films, music, clothing, diets…).

      • Kitten says:

        @ Sofia-I hear ya. I really do.

        But I think people have varying levels of tolerance for these kinds of uninhibited displays of wealth and excess.

        For me, it doesn’t usually bother me because it’s so entirely far from my reality–it’s a world I don’t live in and not one that particularly appeals to me.

      • Sofia says:

        I don’t personally feel bothered until they throw at me the holier than thou attitude or become really hypocrites. It’s specially the hypocrisy I can’t stand. That’s what it seems to me that’s changing, we are better at noticing that. I’m not sure if we are smarter or if they are dumber though ^_^

    • Danskins says:

      Execellent point, Almond Joy.

      It’s like Bey had to be called out on something (yet again) because the goodwill over her & Jay’s philanthropic efforts with supporting the Baltimore protestors couldn’t last more than a day. So now we’re hearing about this BS non-story.

    • Danskins says:

      @ Almond Joy, wanted to add I’m a fellow Baltimorian (small world lol) so Bey & Jay’s efforts in helping out Freddie Gray’s family and the protestors was very striking for me. It’s frustrating their other generous efforts don’t recieve the same level of comments on this site as other stories that are more negative in nature.

  24. MUNA says:

    I don’t know what it is about this woman that rubs so many celebitchy commentators the wrong way. It’s a music video.. about a song….about.. feeling yourself. Honestly! She worked for her money, and she can do whatever she wants to with it as long as she isn’t causing any harm to herself or others. Some of you sound so bitter, jeez Louise.

  25. Maya says:

    What kills me more is that she pretends to be feminist. She only enhances body image and sexualization in her vodeos and doesn’t empower women in any way. Plus feminists (active on the black society) try to push young women to have education and not be a baby mama relying on a man for a living. She doesn’t do any of that. And now she just shows young teenagers lookimg up tp jer that she has so much $$$ to be pouring it in a pool. Selfish thriving nouveau riche

    • Grace says:

      She doesn’t empower women in any way? So the cosmetology center she set up at Phoenix House doesn’t count? Chime for Change doesn’t empower women? How exactly does she not push women to avoid being a “baby mama relying on a man for a living”?

    • nikkisixx says:

      Come on, man. Beyonce is a huge inspiration to black women, actually all women. She is an amazing performer, singer and dancer, and has managed to remain on top for over a decade. A feminist is someone fighting for equality, someone who is not afraid to live on her own terms, and make her own rules. She is not a “baby mama relying on a man” WTF. She put her career first, established herself as a superstar, then settled down and had a baby. Just because she chooses to be sexual doesn’t mean she is not a feminist. She’s confident enough to display her sexuality, and all the power to her.

      • Sunny Cali says:

        Bey is not a inspiration to all black women! That’s a joke! Especially me and my friends who are definitely not Beyodel fans! She is not a inspiration to us and she don’t benefit us in no way, shape or form! Speak for yourself! Lol

      • annaloo. says:

        Omg, let me check my skin color again because Beyonce is no role model to me! Thanks for the rope-in, tho!

        Look, she’s known as Kardasheyonce to me- she’s an attention getter and she works very hard at that. I’m not from the school of people who are impressed by attention stunts and material excess , but if that is you, than, by all means relish it. It’s a free country.

        If I did have their money, I’d funnel.it towards education for these communities, especially focusing on fiscal and business education . oh, and a lot of classic arts, performing and visual. It’s amazing how knowledge of that will have people assess you differently.

    • Naddie says:

      I do believe she’s a feminist. But a woman can be a feminist and a vapid, obnoxious person.

    • littlestar says:

      I think she’s a feminist. She just doesn’t fit into our idealized version of what “we” want feminism to be, but I think for the part, yes, she’s a feminist.

  26. Edwin says:

    I’m not surprised by these comments which go in detail about pouring wine into a bathtub on a video, people are your serious. More than half of you here would’ve never known of the song or video so spare me all the moral high ground about charities and impoverished children. I wonder if you had the same venom towards those Corporate Wall Street brokers who almost financially crippled this country and then took a bailout spending it on vacations hookers and expensive toys. All this shows me is you pick and choose who and what issue you believe after being brought to your attention is morally Wrong.

    • Kiddo says:

      Edwin, when has CB specifically covered the Wall Street thieves? Because if they had, you would have heard it. In fact, some of us have mentioned things like this on political articles.

    • Sofia says:

      Corporate Wall Street brokers don’t show off to the world to see, quite the opposite. They show off in their little bubbles of rich people. These people we focus on here gain money selling these images of excess and then pretend to have real social concerns. It’s the hypocrisy and lack of coherence that annoys.

  27. Veronica says:

    They could have drank the wine and then refilled it with something else to pour out, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s exactly what they did. With the kind of money these people throw around, it doesn’t really surprise me. I can’t really get too upset about it. Those bottles of wine will exist no matter what I think, and somebody out there is going to have the kind of money to throw it away. White men have been doing their “so rich, I don’t care” shtick for centuries. I’m not going to throw a fit over a black woman doing it.

  28. nikkisixx says:

    I think it’s probably fake, but Jay-Z is part-owner of the company so I’m sure he gets these bottles for free. After all, he is the reason this moderately priced wine turned into the number one rappers drink. Also, it’s a rap video and rap tends to boast about the decadence of life. You may not like it, but a lot of people do, and it’s part of rap culture. I like the video, I thought it was cute.

  29. JenniferJustice says:

    This trashy couple just keeps perpetuating the idea that being rich means living large and being wasteful because hey, you can. That’s really not how most wealthy people view wealth. Most wealthy people are conservative in their spending, thrifty, and don’t feel the need to have every whim fulfilled, or drive the most expensive cars, or wear the most expensive clothes. I only see that wasteful and showy attitude among new money on the coasts. It is so dumb….like giving a $100 bill to a kid in a candy store. And, no, I don’t believe that’s a real bottle of expensive wine, but the concept they’re pushing is the concept they do live by. I get it’s their “style” to be ostentacious, but they’re really just gauche. It make them look juvenile and ignorant. Just proves you can’t buy class…let alone brains.

  30. Prettynina says:

    The hate for the Carters is real on CB! Who the hell cares how they spend their money? Is it your money? So she pours a “20k bottle of champagne” and it’s a big deal and everyone says it’s real? Since when have music videos been real?

    How do you even judge someone for pouring an expensive bottle of champagne in a music video while not even being positive that there’s actually champagne in the bottles?

    • Sofia says:

      It’s all about the symbols and it matters, it definitely matters when people start to feel fed up by this message of money and power when the world is going down the drain. You can do whatever you want with your money but if your are doing it in front of an audience, for an audience you have to understand that people will react to it in the context of their own lives. Escapism is great but there’s a point when it stops being escapism and it makes you look at your own life and the world and I’m sorry if that’s annoying for some, but when that thinking process starts your mindset and perception about these “harmless” stuff also starts to shift.

  31. Halah says:

    Let’s not forget that Jay-Z OWNS this champagne company! The Carter’s don’t do anything without a well-built strategy behind it. Real or not it’s going to get people talking and they LOVE when people are talking – I’m surprised there weren’t 22-day vegan cleanse food containers strewn around in the video shots too 😉

  32. Mimz says:

    This thread is unreal.

    I do not understand it. At all. I dont understand the article’s existence. People nowadays will complain and call people ridiculous because someone took a wad of money or whatever and burnt in on tv, but if this person’s name is BEYONCE or JAY Z they must be burnt at the stake like the illuminati despicable humans they are.

    I mean people called them out for going together to a sexshop because they are horrible human beings.

    The hatred is real wow. Dont overanalyze this, girls… Its not that serious IMO.

    • Kitten says:

      Yeah, this is a non-story.

      Honestly, if I had a sh*t-ton of money I’d spend it on traveling…

      …AND a nice house, another cat and a dog, a new car, a treadmill, a boat, and a bunch of other sh*t. I’d also spend it on nice meals and HELL YES, I’d spend it on great wine.

      I guess I’m superficial like Bey-Z. 😛

      • Naddie says:

        I’d do pretty much the same. But, would you post pictures of every car, every great wine you’d spend your money on? Also, with subtitles like “I do this because I can”. I don’t know you, but I have the feeling you wouldn’t.

  33. MeowMeow says:

    The photo of the bottle says it’s a Pinot Noir. Whatever Yonce is pouring into that hot tub is colourless. It’s grossly symbolic of pouring money down the drain, for shizzle, but she’s not really doing it.

  34. LA Juice says:

    Bey isn’t stupid. that bottle was drank and enjoyed. its obviously not Pinot being poured out- its clear.

  35. belle de jour says:

    Also: product placement. Another family business.

    I’m only surprised there weren’t earbuds on & a thought bubble over Beyonce’s head reading “Tidal!”

    • Kitten says:

      EVERYONE here should read this link. Sadly, no one will. Thank you for posting though. I read it-makes perfect f*cking sense.

  36. Debbie says:

    Into the water, into her gullet, what’s the difference? That is a ridiculous and insulting amount of money to spend on a bottle of anything in the face of such need all around.

    • dcs says:

      Insulting to whom? It’s her money she can spend it how she wants. Not to mention this is a fictional video.

      What did your splurges look like last year relative to your income? How about your charitable contributions?

  37. Hej says:

    I would never pay $20.000 for something that’s not a car, a very small house or a really cute pony.