The words “Beyoncé” and “New Jersey” seldom appear in a sentence together—and when they do, it’s almost always about MetLife Stadium: she’s scheduled to perform there, or she sold out the stadium, or she gave a once-in-a-lifetime performance, etc., etc. Yesterday, July 31st was another one of those rare instances in which the Garden State shared a headline with the iconic singer. This time, the news hit closer to home for Essex County locals. X (formerly Twitter) was abuzz with rumors that Beyoncé was/is filming an upcoming project in Nutley. Beyoncé, famously, is only seen when she wants to be seen, so there’s been no solid confirmation of her visit. Still, we’re making a meal out of crumbs to do a deep dive into the rumors. Was Beyoncé filming a commercial in Nutley, NJ yesterday? Here’s what we know.
Photo Credit: Creative Commons, Pete Sekesan
The Rumors
On the evening of Wednesday, July 31st at 7:17PM, Pop Crave took to X to share: “Beyoncé is reportedly filming something in Nutley, New Jersey.”
Beyoncé is reportedly filming something in Nutley, New Jersey. pic.twitter.com/A8nu0WsKh5
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 31, 2024
For readers with a respectable screen time, Pop Crave is a media and news outlet known for its up-to-the-minute pop-culture reporting. While it does have a website, Pop Crave is predominantly present on X, with a following of over 1.8 million users. Within the last few years, it’s felt as if Pop Crave somehow delivers breaking news before any major outlets — including Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race, which sparked several hilarious (and absurd) internet moments.
Read More: A List of Female Celebrities From New Jersey
This is all to say that Pop Crave is generally regarded as accurate. The post garnered over 122 replies, most of which were completely unphased by the New Jersey of it all. “Beyonce is very beautiful and talented,” one user replied. “I love her blonde look,” said another.
One reply, however, left a clue: “Be calm, it’s just a Levi’s Jeans commercial.” This isn’t out of the realm of possibility. On this year’s Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé recruited country crooner Post Malone for a duet called “LEVII’S JEANS.” The slinky, jukebox slow jam became an instant classic, sending “Levi’s and Western boot sales soaring,” according to CNN. A partnership feels like a natural next step for the singer, who’s been known to endorse popular fashion brands from time to time.
Still, Beyoncé’s involvement in the project—or the project’s existence at all—hasn’t been confirmed by any other major outlets. A Beyoncé fan account, user @beyscatalog, shared a video of “Beyoncé’s set for the supposed Levi’s commercial,” confirming that the set was in Nutley, New Jersey. You can see the video below.
Beyoncé’s set for the supposed Levi’s commericial. pic.twitter.com/w9p9aSHjsU
— ₊⊹ (@beyscatalog) August 1, 2024
Another fan account, @BeyonceRumors, shared that the popstar “might announce a new project, just like with the Verizon ad,” and shared a photo of the set. See the post below.
Breaking: Beyoncé’s filming team is in New Jersey today!
It’s rumoured she might announce a new project, just like with the Verizon ad. pic.twitter.com/H3cefh81fp
— Beyonce Rumours (@BeyonceRumours) July 31, 2024
So, in conclusion, Beyoncé’s supposed visit to Nutley is still very much at rumor status (and at this time is not confirmed), but there’s certainly convincing evidence. Of course, we’ll update this post with any details that unfold.
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What’s Filming in Montclair + Essex County? An Ongoing List of Movies + TV Shows
Essex County has been been the backdrop for many big-picture films over the years — from The Sopranos and The Joker to Spiderman and Mean Girls. In recent years and with the approval of a new West Orange film studio, our area has become even more of a filming hotspot for various movies and TV shows. Just in the past few months, we've seen Jeremy Allen White in Montclair for the upcoming Bruce Springsteen Biopic, Adam Sandler filming all around Essex County for Happy Gilmore 2, and more. To keep up with the latest filming news, The Montclair Girl has decided to compile an ongoing list of what's filming locally. We’ll be updating this article whenever necessary. As of January 13th, 2025, keep reading for a list of all the movies and TV shows currently filming in Montclair and Essex County, New Jersey.
December 2024
Song Sung Blue
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson
Last Seen: Montclair, December 3rd
On Tuesday, December 3rd, an eagle-eyed reader tipped The Montclair Girl that a large film set had taken over Tierney’s Tavern on Valley Road. Per NorthJersey.com, the local spot was playing host to Song Sung Blue, an upcoming musical adaptation of a 2008 documentary about a Milwaukee couple’s Neil Diamond cover band. On Monday, December 2nd, Tierney’s Tavern took to Facebook to inform residents of its temporary closure during that week, reopening on Friday, December 6th.
According to Deadline, Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson are billed to lead the film, portraying the “down on their luck musicians” who make up the cover band, ‘Lightning + Thunder.’ Hugh and Kate are joined by Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos, White Lotus), Fisher Stevens (Succession), and Jim Belushi (Red Heat, Curly Sue). Per Variety, Song Sung Blue is based on Greg Kohs’ 2008 documentary of the same name and “follows the true story of Milwaukee couple Mike and Claire Sardina, down-on-their-luck musicians who became local icons by performing as ‘Lightning + Thunder.’ The film also borrows its name from the 1972 Diamond song.”
Read More: 12 Movies + TV Shows Filmed in Essex County
November 2024
Happy Gilmore
Starring: Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, Margaret Qualley, Christopher McDonald
Last Seen: Montclair, Verona, Newark, Irvington, September-November 2024
Happy Gilmore 2 was spotted filming all around Northern New Jersey in the last few months of 2024, and Adam Sandler (who plays Happy Gilmore in the films), was also been seen checking out local Essex County + Morris County spots. At the end of September, Adam Sandler and the Happy Gilmore 2 crew were filming in Verona. Per Patch West Orange, Adam visited Faubourg in Montclair, Goldberg’s World Famous Deli + Bagels in Millburn, and the Montclair Golf Club. The film was also shooting at Irvington Park, on Welland Street in Irvington, and at Dayton Street School in Newark in September + October. There were also multiple casting calls for the film seeking New Jersey locals.
Happy Gilmore 2 is a sequel to the 1996 film Happy Gilmore — which follows Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler) as a failed ice hockey player turned golf pro who ends up winning the Pro Tour. Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald will reprise their roles as Virginia Venit (Happy’s love interest) and Shooter McGavin, respectively, and per IMDb, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and musician Bad Bunny will also act in the film.
October 2024
Deliver Me From Nowhere
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, David Krumholtz, Gaby Hoffmann
Last Seen: Montclair, October 29th
Pretty much every New Jersey local has heard about the upcoming Bruce Springsteen biopic starring Jeremy Allen White, Deliver Me From Nowhere, filming all around the Garden State — from Hoboken to Asbury Park. On Saturday, October 26th, Montclair Public Library posted on its Facebook page saying that its Bellevue Avenue Branch is an official location for the film. Per Montclair Local, a ramp labeled “rigging crew” was placed over the front stairs of the Bellevue Avenue Branch, and a sign on the front door stated “off limits” as film crews worked on a production. NJ.com reported that Jeremy Allen White was seen filming at the Bellevue Avenue Branch on Monday, October 28th.
The film, written and directed by Scott Cooper, is an adaptation of Warren Zanes’ book of the same name — Deliver Me From Nowhere — which is all about the making of Springsteen’s 1982 album Nebraska. The movie will show The Boss’ pivotal years in the early to mid-80s as he reached worldwide fame as well as his childhood days growing up at the Jersey Shore in the 1950s.
See More: What’s Filming in Hoboken + Jersey City? An Ongoing List of Movies + TV Shows
To stay up to date on the latest Montclair + Northern New Jersey news, follow @themontclairgirl on Instagram and TikTok, sign up for our newsletter that shares the top stories in your inbox here, and check out our events calendar.
