Pop star Beyonce cruises by in a black car, led by police escort, through the crowded streets of north Jakarta. She's on her way to unleash "The Beyonce Experience" to a sold-out crowd in a largely conservative country and the world's most populous Muslim nation. Beyonce arrives at the artist entrance of the Jakarta International Exhibition Center, Thursday, dressed in a sparkling white tank minidress. The multi-Grammy winner, who has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide, whisks through the side door in full preparation mode — wearing headphones, covered with silver gems, isolating her from the whirlwind world of her entourage, crew, security and back-up dancers. The venue, the Mangga Dua Square complex in the Indonesian capital, is brimming up with more than 5,000 amped-up fans — some wearing head scarves and others wearing miniskirts. The chatter of Bahasa, the local language, flows freely in the air. Backstage, the green room is white. The space reserved for VIPs is lined with airy white curtains, soft lighting and is filled with cream-colored furnishings, including a white heart-shaped pillow. Chandeliers are installed on the ceiling. Read
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