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Beyonce Interview

Marie Claire Interviews: Beyoncé Knowles

Before arriving at our photo shoot and interview, Beyonce stipulatated certain catering needs, which included, ‘no chips, no candy, no desserts, no junk food, no fried food’.

SEE BEYONCE'S MARIE CLAIRE PHOTOS HERE 

Why the so-strict diet rules? Beyoncé has recently finished back-to-back filming, which involved gaining 20lb for the role of '50s soul and blues legend Etta James in Cadillac Records, and subsequently had to shed the same amount for her next project, the psychological thriller Obsessed. Putting on the pounds ‘was so much fun’, she confesses. ‘But I had to lose it. I was so angry with myself. I was like, “Doh!” Why do you have to go through this?”’ You can’t blame a girl for wishing to avoid temptation, particularly one whose living is partly dependent on her looks.'

She’s been quoted in the past as saying there’s a time limit on being a pop star. ‘Being a pop star, yes,’ she responds. ‘Being a legend, an icon, absolutely not. And, at this point, that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m over being a pop star. I don’t wanna be a hot girl. I wanna be iconic. And I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot. I feel like I’m highly respected, which is more important than any award or any amount of records. And I feel like there comes a point when being a pop star is not enough.’

By her own admission, Beyoncé is very 'reserved' off-stage. ‘I’ve created an alter ego [she refers to her on-stage persona as ‘Sasha’]: things I do when performing I would never do normally. I reveal things about myself that I wouldn’t do in an interview. I have out-of-body experiences [on stage]. If I cut my leg, if I fall, I don’t even feel it. I’m so fearless, I’m not aware of my face or my body.' So, when she sang, "I can have another you in a minute. Matter fact, he’ll be here in a minute", in hit song Irreplaceable, was she referring to Jay-Z? 'I’m sure people think I wrote it about [Jay-Z] or something, but… the obvious person is not the person at all.’

'B', as she's called at home, will also admit to being a workaholic. There’s an as-yet untitled new album due out in November; then there’s her movie career, in particular Cadillac Records, co-starring Adrien Brody, which tells the story of Chicago label Chess Records. Her character, the Grammy-winning blues legend Etta James, battled a decade-long heroin addiction. ‘I’ve been saying for a long time that I wanted to do something dark. People are going to be very shocked. It’s the complete opposite of me. It was very emotionally draining. I was exhausted.’

She researched the role by visiting a drop-in centre in Brooklyn, New York. ‘I was really afraid. I didn’t know what I would see, because I’d never seen anything like that. I didn’t want to ask questions that were inappropriate, but [the people there] were very open and I have a new understanding. I never judge, but I just didn’t understand how, if you had children and so many things
to lose, you could be so deep into your addiction that you just let all of that go.’

Does she feel she's paved the way for more African-American women to achieve huge success? 'I am really proud that I am one of the artists that has the opportunity to be on magazine covers and to be in the movies. And I do think that I’m opening doors for more black women, just like Halle [Berry] and Diana Ross opened doors for me.’

This is an edited version of the full interview, which appears in the October 2008 issue of Marie Claire

10 BEST BEYONCE HAIR AND MAKE-UP MOMENTS

BEYONCE PHOTOS

Words by , Wednesday 3 September 2008


Have your say ...

Add your own comment

Same old, same old. However many years later and she still talks about the same things. ***Yawn***
Comment by Irene on September 03 19:30

WOWWWWWWWWW
Comment by SVETLANA on September 03 19:36

The first to comment YES! I love Beyonce, I can't wait for her third album to come out... I know her next slated to be the biggest movie yet will be amazing... Keep up the good work ICON.
Comment by Daniel Gatson on September 03 19:53

GREAT COVER AND INTERVIEW.
Comment by GLADITSNIGHT on September 03 19:59

I love you Beyonce'. I have so much respect for you girl. You doing the damn thing. I'm a 28 year old nurse who wants to pursue singing as a profession. You really do inspire me to do my thing. Thank you so much for all that you do and happy early birthday girl.
Comment by Tia on September 03 20:05

I just love Beyonce and Jay-Z so much!
Comment by yvette on September 03 20:20

Why bother interview Beyonce ? She states the same things that she has always has. Who is going to buy the magazines. They will look at the cover admire something on her and then put it down - why? How does she expect to be an icon and last forever and ever if she cannot show her true character and back off the fakeness.
Comment by Bianca on September 03 20:49

I REALLY FEEL THAT BEYONCE IS ONE OF THE LEGENDS IN THE GAME AND ME BEING HER BIGGEST FAN I THINK SHE DESERVES ALL THAT SHE HAS ACCOMPLISHED....SHE REALLY HAS SET THE BAR FOR THE FEMALES IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY BUT ALSO GIVING THEM A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL!
Comment by CARLTON on September 03 21:16

I love Beyonce she is the queen nobody will be able to fill her shoes she can dance, sing, act she is just a talented person I love her you is the stuff B!! SHE IS THE QUEEN B AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE QUEEN B!
Comment by 858 on September 03 22:01

I LOVE B! SHE IS SOOO REAL, AND HAS SO MUCH CLASS I LOOK UP TO HER, WE AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN NEED MORE ROLE MODELS LIKE HER... LUV YOU B!
Comment by Q on September 03 23:41

LOVE U BEY!!!
Comment by SmileyTodd on September 04 03:54

This woman is no role model. Give me a break.
Comment by cindy on September 04 04:55

Forward to Sasha!
Comment by Jae on September 04 05:37

Why bother to leave a comment if you have nothing nice to say didn't your mama teach you better? u people are so rude! B is amazing!
Comment by tee on September 04 12:43

She is a role model to millions.. Not a role model for you Cindy which is fine but she is to millions... And I don't think she's just a pop star.. She's that but even more.. So, she knows what she's saying.. She need not watch her words cause she's honest yet tactful.. Love ya Queen Bee.... Keep doing your thing..!
Comment by Queen on September 04 14:02

Happy Birthday Queen B!!!! I LOVE YAAA
Comment by ZZZ! on September 04 14:39

HAPPY B DAY TO U MRS. KNOWLES-CARTER. KEEP DOING WHAT U DOING - LIFE IS TO SHORT.

Comment by Lynette on September 04 16:11

For my favourite singer in the world I want to say: Happy Birthday - I love U Bee :)
I so wonder what your new album and your 1st single will be like. I hope it's great!
Comment by szkodzik on September 04 17:48

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEYONCE! I THIN YOU ARE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN THE WORLD AND A GREAT ROLE MODEL FOR ANY. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND DON'T LET HATERS RAIN ON YOUR PARADE. THEY ONLY DO IT CAUSE YOUR THE BEST! LOVE, NINA
XOXO
Comment by Nina on September 04 18:05

We love you Beyonce! I always talk to my daughter about B. We listen to your cd"s all the time. I call you her big sister. Always keep your head up. Don"t worry about what negative things people say. Keep reaching for the stars girl. Moma's watching you! Look for little J.T she is going to sing just like her big sis. We Love you!
Comment by Mrs. A.T on September 04 22:32

Bee, I love you so much! Brazil loves you!
Comment by Dandara Martins on September 04 23:49

Beyonce is a real role model ,, She is a legend and I hope she continues to produce great music.
Comment by Faris on September 05 02:58

Don't hate people. She is a class act all the way. She has maintained her humility, style, and grace through the years. She is a great songwriter, producer, and business woman. She has stayed out of the drama and chaos of 'the business', and not got caught up in scandal. She continues to conduct herself as a lady, and I give her much respect and props.
Comment by My2cents on September 05 17:00

Girl, I am loving you. I am generations older than you but you represent us 60's girls well. I like your old soul. Keep up with the career, keep GOD first and foremost. I am also lovin' your hubby's new look. Tell him to keep it. It makes him look distinguished. He almost reminds me of the actor Bernie Casey who played in the Cleopatra Jones. You and your husband take care of each other and enjoy one another with much love and GOD will take care of the rest!
Comment by shelly on September 27 20:12

love you beyonce!!!!! keep on makin good movies.More musics.......More power to you!
Comment by annalyn manriza on June 13 18:05


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