It was 3am, the week before my end-of-semester exam, when the trailer came out.

As I lay in bed watching the snippet of this film, I could feel the adrenaline rushing through me.

The orchestra, the drumline, the dazzling dancers and finally Beyoncé in her shimmering regalia and magnificent headdress — it was all too much to absorb.

Without a care in the world as to what time of day it was, I immediately shared it on all my social media.

I watched the clip over and over as I slowly drifted off to sleep.

The documentary in question was Netflix's Homecoming: A film by Beyoncé, which provides an intimate look behind the scenes of her iconic 2018 Coachella performance — the first black woman to headline this pinnacle music festival.

When I finally got to watch the film, two days after my exam, it was more than I ever expected.

I was so proud to call myself a fan.

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I might seem like an unlikely fan

As a young Australian man, I might seem like an unlikely Beyoncé fan. But why is this the case?

Perhaps toxic masculinity has left men apprehensive at supporting strong, female popstars, fearing we'll be labelled feminine for doing so.

But it's essential to break down these barriers. With significantly fewer female artists, songwriters and producers, it becomes even more important to celebrate women in the industry to inspire the next generation of female artists.

We can all get behind Beyoncé

Homecoming lays bare why Beyoncé is an inspiration not just for African-American women but people of all backgrounds.

Her Coachella performance, dubbed "Beychella", was described by the New Yorker as "an education in black expression". Or, as Essence put it, it was "one of the most iconic performances in history, seasoned and deep-fried in Blackness".

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The concert paid homage to America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the tertiary institutions established to educate African-Americans.

For African-American people it was an important moment of "identifying with the people, identifying with the culture" as one of her dancers says in the film.

The fact that Beyoncé sang Lift Every Voice and Sing, largely regarded as the "black national anthem", alongside her black orchestra was very deliberate.

The fact viewers hear the voice of the late Nina Simone saying the words: "To me, we are the most beautiful creatures in the whole world; Black people", following Beyoncé's performance of Formation was also very deliberate.

That "Beychella" celebrated blackness is no secret.

A surprise live album from the performance dropped along with the documentary.

For other people of colour, like myself, the performance allowed us to recognise how empowering pride in one's cultural heritage can be.

For everyone else, it was a glimpse into being different.

Sure, Beyoncé portrayed the beauty of black culture, history and people, but in doing so, she spoke to many more communities and demographics.

As she said herself, "It was important to me that everyone that had never seen themselves represented felt like they were on that stage with us."

Beyoncé's feminist anthems such as Who Run the World (Girls) and Flawless sometimes make it seem like she is an artist who only caters to women.

What fails to be recognised is how empowering her art can be for anyone who has ever felt underestimated by others because of their identity.

During the performance, her male dancers (bugaboos) were (gently) hazed by her female dancers, turning the often-misogynistic tradition of hazing rituals on its head. It was an empowering display for any marginalised person, and one that made me proud to be a feminist.

It's little wonder Beyonce has been crowned "Queen Bey". ( Netflix )

Beyoncé is more than just an entertainer

To my mind, it's Beyoncé's unparalleled work ethic and defiant personal identity that really resonates with viewers beyond her African-American and female fan base.

In the film she proudly states, "I'm super specific about every detail. I personally selected each dancer, every light, the material on the steps, the height of the pyramid, the shape of the pyramid ... every tiny detail had an intention".

We watch her spend eight months tirelessly preparing for the show, shortly after an emergency C-section and a difficult pregnancy with her twins.

This dedication makes even a multi-millionaire like Beyoncé relatable to all of us, through her devotion to her work and art.

Whether it's by embracing our cultural roots, feminism, or incorporating her remarkable work ethic into our lives, there's much to be learnt from this pop icon.

Beyoncé has always been so much more than an entertainer. Homecoming serves as a reminder of why being her fan should be celebrated.

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Masrur Joarder is a writer and university student. Twitter: @masrur_writer