Beyoncé Fan, Who Went Viral for Her Reaction to Singer’s Coachella Performance, Dies at 25

Sydney Hardeman, the Beyoncé fan who went viral for her stunned reaction to the singer’s 2018 Coachella performance, has died. She was 25.

Sydney, who was from Dallas, Texas, died by suicide on Nov. 8, her mother, Jamie Hardeman, confirmed to TMZ. Her death came as she was engaged and set to marry in April 2026.

Sydney’s family told the outlet that she showed “differences in her mood” after her grandfather died and that they tried to put her in counseling, “but she canceled her appointments.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to honor Sydney’s life.

“Our dearest friend and loved family member, Sydney Hardeman, passed away unexpectedly, leaving all of us heartbroken,” organizer Dakota Jenkins wrote. “Sydney was one of those rare people who brought light and laughter everywhere she went, confident, hilarious, endlessly kind, and full of life.”

Sydney is remembered as a “passionate” person and “a devoted fiancée,” who was “excited” about the future.

“Sydney meant the world to so many people. Her light, her laughter, and her love will stay with us forever,” the organizer of the GoFundMe wrote.

Donations will go toward minority scholarships and to support suicide prevention, according to the fundraiser’s description. Over $10,000 has been raised so far, with a goal of $16,000.

Sydney went viral on social media after her shocked reaction to Beyoncé’s headlining Coachella set, which was included in the singer’s documentary film about the performance, Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé.

In a 2019 interview with Buzzfeed News, Sydney shared that she’d been a Beyoncé fan since she was 13 and that she was “surprised” her reaction to the singer’s Coachella set “blew up.”

“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. 

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Sydney’s mom Jamie told TMZ that she traveled from Texas to California to catch Beyoncé’s Coachella performance and was the first one in the gate, after waiting 12 hours at the barricade.

Jamie said in a statement to Beyoncé fans, per the outlet, “You guys are young, and you are excited, you guys haven’t gotten to the good part. Lean on your village, Sydney had a huge village …sometimes you just need to be vulnerable to the people around you so they can help you.”

“[Sydney] never meant to leave you. She loved all of you. In her name, make sure you guys are OK and find the support when you need it,” she added.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.