In 2004, Beyoncé sang that she wanted a “soldier to take care of me” but it seems these days she can make an exception for a ripped bodybuilder.
The current queen of pop is not usually upstaged at her shows, so credit the God-given looks and workout ethic of James Plaza that he has managed to be noticed.
The bodyguard came to fame in a viral video in which Beyoncé can be seen performing her 2022 song Energy, during which she has taken to asking the crowd to go on “mute” – and be silent for a few seconds. And at a show in Summerfield in the US on Sunday, the crowd might have been particularly responsive – which led to the otherwise professional bodyguard cracking the slightest hint of a smile.
“The security [guard] looked so impressed with that mute,” wrote Beyoncé superfan Hermiden afterwards in posting the video.
The video originally posted by “Amanda Paigeeee” has been seen millions of times on TikTok, Twitter and Instagram – which led to all fans asking the same question …
The security looked so impressed with that “Mute” 😂 pic.twitter.com/sUuR8MP9KT
— Hermiden (@IChoseViolencee) August 7, 2023
Who is Beyoncé’s bodyguard?
James Plaza is, according to Men’s Health, a freelance close security protection officer.
But he is not your average security manning the doors of Wetherspoons. Beyoncé only gets the best, and Plaza is also a competitive bodybuilder.
His physique work has earned him titles with GBO, FMC and NFMUK federations and, looking at his Instagram account, he takes his work – and his body – very seriously.
However, Plaza – perhaps after his sudden rise to fame – has now made his Instagram private and his followers have skyrocketed.
Plaza has 13,000 followers on the Gram at the time of writing but these days you’ll have to ask nicely, it seems, to be privy to his workout routine pictures.
He also has a YouTube channel where he shows off the fruit of his labour, often wearing much less than the shirt he has on during the Beyoncé show.
His videos show him competing in a Mr Universe competition and also sharing secrets of his health routine – such as making porridge, the breakfast of champions.
Previously on Instagram, Plaza announced that he would not be competing in bodybuilding competitions this year and would be focusing on his day job – with the Renaissance Tour taking in 56 shows around the world.
Bey’s five shows at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium have now come and gone meaning that London fans wanting a close look at the singer – and her bodyguard – will need to travel to the US for the remaining dates of the tour, which winds up in Kansas in October.
