Historical Figure
Beyoncé
b. 1981
American singer (born 1981)
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Biography
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. Known for her vocal ability, artistic reinventions, and live performances, she is widely regarded as one of the most culturally significant figures of the 21st century. Credited with shaping popular music, Beyoncé is often deemed one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
In Their Own Words (5)
Anyone who perceives my message as anti-police is completely mistaken. I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of officers who sacrifice themselves to keep us safe. But let's be clear: I am against police brutality and injustice. Those are two separate things.
"Beyoncé: 'Anyone Who Perceives My Message as Anti-Police Is Completely Mistaken'". Time. 5 April 2016. , 2016
I'm not bossy. I'm the boss.
"Beyoncé wants you to stop saying bossy'". Rolling Stone. 10 March 2014. , 2014
I’ve been through hell and back, and I’m grateful for every scar, I look at the woman I was in my 20s and I see a young lady growing into confidence but intent on pleasing everyone around her. I now feel so much more beautiful, so much sexier, so much more interesting. And so much more powerful.
Beyoncé Talks About Accepting the Way Her Body Wanted to Be Time (August 6, 2018). , 2024
Whenever I’m ready to get a six-pack, I will go into beast zone and work my a– off until I have it, But right now, my little FUPA and I feel like we are meant to be.
Beyoncé Talks About Accepting the Way Her Body Wanted to Be Time (August 6, 2018). , 2024
After having my daughter, I made a conscious effort to regain control of my health and my body. But I didn't want to do a crash diet. I was a mom now. I needed to change my ways and set an example for my child. … A year later (around November 2013), my husband and I decided we wanted to try a completely plant-based diet … And so the journey began that helped me get into the best shape of my life. Little did I know the long-lasting effects it would have. I thought, like with most diets, I would feel deprived and hate food, that I would miss out on restaurants and celebrations, that I would get headaches and be irritable, etc. I was wrong about all of that. It took a few days to adjust, but what I discovered was increased energy, better sleep, weight loss, improved digestion, clarity, and an incredibly positive feeling for my actions and the effects it would have on those around me and the environment.
Foreword to Marco Borges's The 22-Day Revolution, New York: Penguin, 2015 , 2013
Timeline
The story of Beyoncé, told in moments.
Born Beyonce Giselle Knowles in Houston, Texas. Her father Mathew manages a medical equipment sales company. Her mother Tina runs a hair salon. She wins a school talent show at seven, singing John Lennon's "Imagine" against fifteen- and sixteen-year-olds.
Destiny's Child signs with Columbia Records. Beyonce is 15. Her father Mathew quits his job to manage the group full-time. The family's income drops dramatically. Two founding members are replaced amid lawsuits and public feuds. The group sells over 60 million records.
Releases Dangerously in Love, her debut solo album. "Crazy in Love" hits number one and stays there. The horn riff is sampled from the Chi-Lites' "Are You My Woman (Tell Me So)." Five Grammy wins in one night. She is 22.
Marries Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter in a private ceremony at their Tribeca penthouse. No publicist announcement. No paparazzi. Guests don't know it's a wedding until they arrive. Together they will become the highest-earning couple in entertainment history.
Drops an entire album with zero advance notice. No singles, no press, no leaks. Just "Beyonce" on iTunes at midnight with 14 songs and 17 music videos. It sells 828,773 copies in three days. The music industry calls it a paradigm shift. Every major artist will try it afterward. Most will fail.
Releases Lemonade as an HBO visual album. It addresses infidelity, Black womanhood, police violence, and Southern heritage. "Becky with the good hair" becomes the most dissected lyric of the decade. The Beyhive identifies a suspect within hours. The album sells a million copies in its first week.
Headlines Coachella. First Black woman to headline the festival. The performance features a full marching band, a step show, a New Orleans second line, and references to historically Black colleges. It's called "Beychella" within minutes. Netflix pays million for the documentary.
Releases Cowboy Carter. A country album. "Texas Hold 'Em" becomes the first song by a Black woman to top the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Country radio largely refuses to play it. It goes to number one anyway.
Show full timeline (11 entries)
Stars in Dreamgirls alongside Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy, and Jamie Foxx. She plays Deena Jones. Loses the Golden Globe to Hudson. Publicly congratulates her without blinking.
Blue Ivy Carter is born on January 7. Jay-Z releases 'Glory' featuring the newborn's cries within hours. Blue Ivy becomes the youngest person ever credited on a Billboard chart.
Becomes the most Grammy-decorated artist in history with 32 wins, surpassing Georg Solti's record of 31 that stood since 1997. She's been nominated 88 times. She accepts the record-breaking award and thanks her three children and her "beautiful husband."
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