The US megastar headlined the private concert in Dubai to mark the opening of luxury hotel Atlantis The Royal.
Despite a strict no-phones policy at the exclusive, 1,500-seat gig, footage of the show flooded the internet.
Many fans were excited to see the return of Queen B, but others weren't happy because Dubai has strict laws against same-sex relationships.
Renaissance, her latest album, has been celebrated for "honouring black queer culture" and taking inspiration from LGBT icons.
It pays tribute to dance music that emerged out of the gay community and also references drag ballrooms in Harlem, New York.
Freelance music journalist Abigail Firth tells BBC Newsbeat Beyoncé's recent work is "indebted to LGBT culture".
This might explain why some fans are uncomfortable about her making her live return in Dubai - and reportedly receiving $24m for it.
"It seems like a really misguided choice from her," says Abigail.
"She's obviously a multimillionaire anyway, she didn't really need to do this, she didn't really need the money.
"That's probably where some of the backlash comes from."
Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a Middle Eastern country made up of seven regions that follow strict laws and have rules against homosexuality.
Nearby Qatar, which hosted the 2022 World Cup, has similar rules.
It was criticised for its attitude to LGBT people, its human rights record and its treatment of migrant workers.
Source: BBC News