The Brief: Queen Bey's reaction to having someone lean over her to talk to Jay-Z during a Warriors vs. Raptors game has been widely memed as a relatably uncomfortable experience.

DEEP DIVE
During game 3 of the NBA finals, while Beyoncé and Jay-Z sat courtside, cameras captured Beyoncés reaction to a woman leaning over her to talk to Jay-Z. While most of us probably can’t relate to the experience of being Beyoncé, or even of sitting courtside at an NBA game, we can relate to her subtle but unmistakable show of annoyance at being ungraciously ignored.
Fans have speculated that Beyoncé’s expression was a reaction to having her personal space encroached upon while someone talked to her husband but ignored her.
The woman in the video is Nicole Curran, the wife of the Warriors owner Joe Lacob. After facing significant backlash from Beyoncé stans, she clarified that she had only briefly talked to Jay-Z and that in the video clarifying Jay-Z’s drink order (after offering the couple drinks), leaning in because the stadium was loud.
Whatever was really happening in the video, this moment has been turned into a viral meme. Some jokes are about Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s relationship while many others note how Beyoncé’s facial expressions can be applied to a myriad of universal situations.
The Nudge
Fans pointed to what looks like a discreet nudge/scoot from Bey as her way of signaling to Nicole to back off.
beyonce definitely didn’t think that tonight of all nights that she’d have to hit a woman with a shoulder nudge in rare burberry but here we are.
— Brandon Caldwell (@_brandoc) June 6, 2019
Here we have Beyoncé in rare form! If you look closely at her left arm you will see her slightly nudge ole girl, a discrete but mighty signal saying…BACK THE HELL UP! pic.twitter.com/LGaZHJ8rIw
— Kalen Allen (@TheKalenAllen) June 6, 2019
YALLLLLLLLLL …. why to the gworls keep trying it? That scoot Beyoncé did had me in shambles 😩😩😩😩😩 https://t.co/SZCcWKjDlr
— Landon Romano (@landonromano) June 6, 2019
Backlash From The BeyHive 🐝
The hostility that Nicole Curran was subject to points to how what may be a fun meme for some can be a devastating source of harassment for others. After facing online death threats, Curran switched her Instagram account to private. While the video may be amusing, it’s absolutely not an excuse to harass a stranger on the internet, no matter how devoted of a Beyoncé stan one may be.
Curran says Jay Z asked for a vodka soda. She asked if he wanted lime with that. But it was loud in Oracle and she couldn’t hear, so she leaned over. That’s where the photos of Beyoncé looking askance at her come from.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 6, 2019
Nicole Curran, the wife of the Warriors owner, had to shut down her comments after her interaction with Beyonce went viral: https://t.co/PwgsLt5IaY pic.twitter.com/p6H34sKboG
— Jordan Heck (@JordanHeckFF) June 6, 2019
Memes Galore
Memes featuring Beyonce’s facial expressions in this moment cover a variety of topics from Lemonade lyrics to High School Musical references.
Several people have pointed out that this video is reminiscent of a similar scene in which Jake Gyllenhaal and Beyoncé appeared to be having an engaging conversation while Jay-Z sat awkwardly between them, which also inspired a slew of memes.
Beyonce about to make sure that Jake Gyllenhaal is there next time pic.twitter.com/V432yqOPgG
— caryn welby-solomon (@carynwelbys) June 6, 2019
I would leave the earth if Beyonce looked this ready to smack me https://t.co/Yaf4JKeMhN
— KB (@KaraRBrown) June 6, 2019
High School Musical (2006) pic.twitter.com/JGukif9Fb6
— Ira thee Third (@ira) June 6, 2019
beyonce is so annoyed by this woman and hov gon’ hear about it on the jet pic.twitter.com/0na9BTL6C6
— Brandon Caldwell 🏁 (@_brandoc) June 6, 2019
MAN DOWN 😂 #Beyonce pic.twitter.com/rmxIij6dWC
— Cineasta_H 🎥 (@Hariel_MB) June 6, 2019
me when i see a dog pic.twitter.com/vdJsTgINTJ
— lemonade was a popular drink and it still is (@mattwhitlockPM) June 6, 2019
She has gone through the whole Lemonade in just 10 minutes 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/AABncRzEX7
— 🌔 Ant🌓nio 🌖 (@antoknowles1) June 6, 2019
You better call Becky who keeps violating my personal space. pic.twitter.com/4lO3ZrIIVC
— Matthew A. Cherry 🏁 (@MatthewACherry) June 6, 2019