YouTube child star Rebecca Black is no stranger to the ghost-like presence of past fumbles that haunt the halls of your life in the present, but whatever you think you know about her, we guarantee you’re wrong.
Black is no longer the 13-year-old girl who released arguably the catchiest, and sometimes most loathed, song about a day of the week in her 2011 single “Friday.” It’s obvious that she has taken back the narrative as to whether or not it dictates her career in the modern pop world.
Her show at the Beacham was an exquisite pop-star performance: confident vocals that didn’t strain when mixed with hypnotizing choreography and props, a fierce — yet simple — stage design, dynamic lighting production that transported you to a club dancefloor and positively provocative costuming that fit Black like a latex glove. Not to mention her charmingly seductive onstage persona, “Miss Delicious.”
The first of three Florida stops on the Exhibitionism Tour, it was Black’s first-ever headlining show in Orlando and she was enjoying every second of it. She expressed how she had low expectations for some cities on the tour due to the political state of the country, especially the Sunshine State, but was quickly impressed with Orlando’s energy and excitement.
“They didn’t tell me y’all were so fucking tea like this,” Black said.
Positioned in the center of the stage was a puzzling rectangular box that was draped in white fringe curtains. As the lights dimmed, a backlit Miss Delicious appeared in the “box” holding a silver serving platter and wearing a retro waitress uniform. While singing inside, the lyrics to “Miss Delicious” projected onto the curtains when they were “closed,” like a transparency screen. The elevated rectangle doubled as a stage and an opportunity to project different quotes and images, like a giant high-heel that walked over Black or the word “Exhibitionism” in bold.
Throughout the night, Black and her two backup dancers moved in and out of the elevated rectangle, making time to be with the audience and give them a show that was up close and personal. There were multiple impressive dance breaks in between choruses, where Black and the dancers matched the vibes of one other and the audience. Electric.
The two dancers assisted Black with several different eccentric props, like jump ropes, paintbrushes and cheerleading megaphones. During her third song, Black jumped rope while wearing black stilettos; her vocals barely shaking as she lifted off the ground. For another, she wore a bra made of cheerleader megaphones that were held over her breasts by her accompanying dancers.
Black also undertook several costume changes, including an ivory skirt made of feathers and a matching black leather set paired with her signature red tights. As she jumped in and out of outfits, the lights dimmed and her voice guided the audience through to the next song.
Black ended her show in a large red fur coat and leather fiddler cap while performing an encore of one of our favorite songs, “Michael.”
Despite already living in the spotlight for over a decade, Black is in the midst of her renaissance. She is an undoubtable force to be reckoned with amongst today’s cadre of pop girlies.
