Kelis vs. Beyoncé: The Milkshake Still Isn’t Cold
Looks like the “Milkshake” is still frothy, ladies — and not in the way you’d expect. R&B singer Kelis is once again stirring the pot, dusting off a feud that’s been marinating longer than most of us have been paying off our student loans. Yes, we’re talking about her decades-long one-sided rivalry with none other than Beyoncé.
If this was a Netflix show, Kelis would be the main character narrating every episode, while Beyoncé is… off somewhere selling out stadiums, sipping champagne, and completely ignoring the plot.
The Early 2000s: When the Drama Was Born
It all started back in the early 2000s, when Kelis burst onto the scene with Milkshake. The song was everywhere. You couldn’t go to a club, a middle school dance, or even a Target fitting room without hearing, “My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard…” Many thought Kelis was about to become that girl in R&B — the next major pop force.
But then Beyoncé happened. And when I say happened, I mean she ascended to global dominance faster than you can say “Sasha Fierce.” Bey dropped Dangerously in Love, took over MTV, radio, and our hearts, and — in Kelis’ eyes — snatched the crown she thought might be hers.
Rumor has it, Kelis never quite let that go. And honestly? The music industry isn’t exactly known for kumbaya moments between ambitious divas.
The Jay Z Factor
Now, fast-forward a few years. Things get even juicier when Kelis’ then-husband, rapper Nas, and Beyoncé’s hubby, Jay Z, had their own epic rap beef. That rivalry only poured gasoline on the simmering Kelis-Beyoncé tension. While the guys eventually squashed it, Kelis? She kept her side-eye locked and loaded.
From time to time, she’d toss little jabs or sly comments that fans interpreted as shade toward Queen Bey. Meanwhile, Beyoncé maintained her royal policy of paying Kelis absolute dust.
2025: Petty Is Forever
You’d think by now, with both women living grown, fabulous lives, the drama would be ancient history. But nope. Petty has no expiration date.
Recently, a fan slid into Kelis’ Instagram comments and wrote that she — not Beyoncé — should be the new spokesperson for Levi’s jeans. And instead of politely disagreeing or laughing it off, Kelis basically said, “Yup, you’re right,” and took the opportunity to lob some not-so-subtle shade in Bey’s direction.
Cue the internet losing its collective mind. Because if there’s one thing the BeyHive loves, it’s defending their queen… and if there’s one thing the internet loves even more, it’s watching a good celebrity side feud bubble back up.
Why This Still Hits in 2025
For us millennial and Gen Z ladies, this is like reopening a chapter from our middle school gossip archives. Back then, we were burning Dangerously in Love CDs while trying to learn the “Milkshake” dance for TikTok’s spiritual predecessor — a.k.a. our bedroom mirrors.
Now, seeing Kelis still low-key shading Beyoncé is like bumping into your high school nemesis at brunch — a mix of nostalgia, mess, and “Girl, are we still doing this?” energy.
Beyoncé’s Silence Speaks Volumes
Here’s the gag: Beyoncé has never engaged. Not once. No rebuttals, no cryptic lyrics, no interviews addressing it. Just pure, platinum-level ignoring. And honestly, that silence might be the sharpest shade of all. Because nothing stings like throwing a punch… and your opponent doesn’t even look up from her champagne flute.
Final Sip of the Milkshake
Will Kelis ever bury the hatchet? Who knows. Will Beyoncé ever acknowledge the feud? Highly doubtful. But in the court of pop culture, these little spats are part of the fun — the glittery, petty drama that keeps group chats alive and TikTok editors employed.
Until then, the milkshake is still being served… and clearly, Kelis has no plans to take it off the menu.