*A viral TikTok video has placed Beyoncé at the center of an online firestorm, with the daughter of the singer’s longtime stage manager claiming he was fired without severance or support after his health declined following two decades of service.
Mairi Cooley, daughter of Terry Cooley, posted an emotional video circulating widely since Feb. 16, alleging that her father — who worked with Beyoncé since her Destiny’s Child days — was “cut loose” after suffering serious health issues tied to the grueling demands of the job.
A career spent on the road
According to Mairi, Terry Cooley served as Beyoncé’s stage manager and production manager for more than 20 years, helping orchestrate the massive global tours that have cemented the superstar’s reputation as one of the most dynamic performers in music history.
The job came at a steep personal cost. Mairi described her father working 22-hour days while on tour, sacrificing his health and well-being to ensure Beyoncé’s performances ran flawlessly night after night.
“When COVID happened, there were no tours and Terry was paid sporadically,” Mairi said in the video. “He had to drain his savings to pay the family’s bills. Terry sold the family home and moved his family in with his mother.”
The daughter of Terry Cooley (Beyoncé’s stage manager of 20+ years) has come forward to reveal after working for Beyonce for over 2 decades (with 22 hour work schedules) he was let go.
Why’s sinister is that Terry was apparently let go due to the state of his health, which has… pic.twitter.com/OJgQR2ohqP
— Keeping Culture Alive (@Q4quise) February 16, 2026
The breaking point
The situation worsened after the pandemic when Cooley returned to work, including touring with other artists such as Mariah Carey. He soon suffered a health collapse requiring hospitalization and surgery, which doctors attributed to the physical demands of his career.
After his recovery, Mairi alleged, Beyoncé’s team determined her father “couldn’t keep up” and let him go.
“They cut him loose and fired him after 20-something years of service. After he gave his health and his body to helping her succeed,” Mairi said, fighting back tears.
According to Mairi, Cooley received no severance pay, no retirement package, and not even a get-well card or personal message from Beyoncé.
“Where we’re at now is my dad is suffering financially and he’s suffering emotionally,” she said. “He’s in a terrible place.”
She urged viewers to tag Beyoncé on social media and ask her to “make things right” and “maybe apologize for disregarding the career that they had.”
Online reactions divided
The video has sparked intense debate across social media platforms, with millions of views and comments divided along predictable lines.
Supporters of the Cooley family expressed outrage, particularly given Beyoncé’s billionaire status and public image as an advocate for Black workers and empowerment.
One TikTok user wrote: “Beyoncé is a business. They should have retirement packages for employees like him.”
Another commented: “She might not be at fault for his injury but after 20+ years of working together, can she not support someone in a tough spot out of loyalty? like a billionaire, hello?”
However, many defended Beyoncé, noting the realities of the entertainment industry. Stage managers and production crew are typically independent contractors hired on a per-project or per-tour basis, not salaried employees entitled to benefits like severance under standard U.S. employment law.
One commenter wrote: “You walk away with what you earn. That’s the downside of passion, and unfortunately it’s the risk you take when you work outside of the traditional business structure.”
Others noted that Cooley was compensated for his work over the years, and that loyalty does not guarantee ongoing employment if health or performance issues arise.
No response from Beyoncé
As of Feb. 18, Beyoncé, her representatives and Parkwood Entertainment have not publicly responded to the allegations.
The incident fits a pattern of occasional viral claims about high-profile artists’ treatment of behind-the-scenes staff. Whether more details emerge — such as comment from Terry Cooley himself or potential legal action — remains to be seen.
For now, the story highlights the often-precarious position of crew members who pour decades into building entertainment empires without the safety nets afforded to traditional employees.
