Tina Knowles shares why Beyonce’s Album of the Year Grammy win felt unbelievable: 'Was not expecting it'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Tina Knowles shared that she was left speechless when her eldest daughter Beyonce finally won her first-ever Grammy for Album of the Year.

The victory, which came for her latest album 'Cowboy Carter', was a historic moment that made Beyonce the first Black woman to win in the category in the 21st century.

Tina Knowles recalls her moment of disbelief

During a February 24 appearance on 'The Jennifer Hudson Show', Tina Knowles recalled her reaction when the Grammy win was announced.

“I was at her house, there to help her and Blue get ready,” the 71-year-old shared. “I just really was not expecting it. I was really, really shocked. So shocked.”

She went on to describe how she sat in disbelief alongside Beyonce’s 7-year-old twins, Rumi and Sir Carter.

“In fact, I sat there for a second and didn’t believe it was true,” she continued.

“I was sitting there with my granddaughter Rumi and my grandson Sir, and for a second, we were just sitting there. I couldn’t believe it,” Knowles shared.

Beyonce's historic win

Beyonce’s reaction was equally emotional.

Earlier in the evening, she had won Best Country Album for 'Cowboy Carter', an achievement that visibly stunned her.

But when her name was called for Album of the Year, a category she had been nominated in four times before, she was joined onstage by her 13-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, to accept the award.

With 99 Grammy nominations and 35 wins to her name, Beyonce has dominated the awards in multiple categories. However, the Album of the Year trophy had long eluded her.

“It’s been so many times that I thought that would happen. And that didn’t,” Knowles admitted.

During her acceptance speech at Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena on February 2, Beyonce acknowledged the struggles she faced in earning the accolade.

She also took a moment to honor country music trailblazer Linda Martell.

“I just feel very full and very honored. It's been many, many years. I want to dedicate this to Miss Linda Martell, and I hope we just keep pushing forward, opening doors," Beyonce said on stage.

Beyonce’s bold country move

Beyonce has been candid about the personal experiences that led her to explore country music.

In a March 2024 Instagram post, she explained that she was initially inspired by a moment when she did not feel welcomed in the genre.

"It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t. But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of country music and studied our rich musical archive," she wrote.

"It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history," Beyonce added.