ATLANTA — For the most part, riders don't know the Uber drivers who work to get them to their destination, but one driver in metro Atlanta and former background singer for Beyoncé's journey has been anything but anonymous.
Deanna Dixon, known as "The Rideshare Queen" on TikTok, thought her time in the spotlight was over after touring with Beyoncé and performing at the Academy Awards, then with Ye Kanye West for the Sunday Service Choir. She came to Atlanta, where she found herself behind the wheel of her car, driving for Uber, unaware that her next chapter would bring her fame.
"Don't look down on what you may deem as small beginnings. Because all it takes is one person to see it and to change your life, and for me, that one person that saw me that changed my life was Tedrien," Dixon said.
She began filming herself singing while working for Uber after meeting passenger Tedrien Hill, who gave her a $150 tip and suggested how she should use it.
"He funded the money I needed to buy my first dashcam," Dixon said. "He was like, 'You have to record your videos and put them on social media.'"
Equipped with her dashcam, Dixon transformed into the Rideshare Queen, using her voice to connect with passengers. Her videos gained traction on social media, accumulating over 80,000 followers and millions of views, attracting sponsorships and leading to a national deal.
"I was able to finally purchase a car after a year of renting one through Uber," Dixon said. "This is my blessing, my testimony."
And six months later, a video shows Dixon reunited with Hill, or as she refers to him, "Earth Angel," delivering the news that she was buying a new car. 11Alive was there when she brought the car out to show Hill.
"In my mind, it was a small thing because I was just making a connection, and it wasn't," Hill said. "So it makes me think like, there's no small moments."
Now cruising in a cobalt blue Tesla with over 100,000 online fans, Dixon, the Rideshare Queen, no longer feels hidden.
"I feel so free just being my honest, authentic self," Dixon said. "This is probably my favorite chapter of my life, honestly. I drive for Uber."