Beyoncé | Cover Feature | Magazine - Just English Magazine

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Beyoncé is a global phenomenon. As the undisputed queen of R&B, Beyoncé is one of the most vibrant live performers of her generation. You hear Beyoncé’s hits everywhere – on the radio, in clubs, dance halls, discos, shops and malls all across the world.

Beyoncé has sold more than 120 million records worldwide, including the classic dance hits Crazy in Love and Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It). At the Grammy Awards in January 2010, Beyoncé won a total of six awards - the most awards any female

singer has ever won in one night. As Beyoncé‘s biographer, Janice Arenofsky, puts it, “Beyoncé is committed, focused and incredibly professional. It’s like she was born to be a superstar!”

However, Beyoncé is not simply a talented singer who can deliver hit after hit. Forbes magazine listed Beyoncé in 2009 as fourth on the list of the “100 Most Powerful and Influential Celebrities in the World”, just behind such strong female role models as American chat show host Oprah Winfrey, the legendary singer Madonna and the Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie. But why should such an influential magazine place an R&B singer so high on the list? The reason is surprisingly simple: Beyoncé is also a shrewd entrepreneur, songwriter, record producer, fashion model and an actress.

According to financial analysts, Beyoncé earned an astonishing 80 million US dollars over the last couple of years. Quite apart from her lucrative singing career, Beyoncé launched her very own perfume, endorsed various famous brands such as Pepsi, L’Oréal and Armani, and set up a successful fashion label called the House of Deréon. Not bad for a girl who claims to be shy and retiring when not on stage!

Beyoncé was born on 4 September 1981 in Texas, Houston in the USA. She grew up in a close-knit family, together with her parents and younger sister Solange. While enjoying a relatively normal childhood, Beyoncé took dance lessons, including ballet and jazz, from an early age. Watching her perform, Beyoncé’s parents quickly realised that their eldest daughter was born for the stage. Encouraged by her school dance teacher, Beyoncé won her first talent show singing John Lennon’s legendary song Imagine in 1988.

The following year, Beyoncé joined an R&B group called Girl’s Tyme. The band appeared on a TV show called Star Search, a predecessor of the hugely popular TV show the X Factor. It was during this time that Beyoncé’s father also decided to give up his job as a sales manager and oversee his daughter’s promising career. Soon afterwards, Girl’s Tyme was rebranded and became known as Destiny’s Child. The band members rehearsed tirelessly. At a time when many would-be pop stars believed in overnight celebrity status and instant fame, Beyoncé was committed to hard work and professional effort. Even today, she is renowned for her steadfast commitment to tough discipline, constant rehearsals and pure hard work.

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Glossary

Phenomenon (n)

someone or something which is very impressive.

Shrewd (adj)

able to make good decisions and judgements.

Entrepreneur (n)

a business person.

Lucrative (adj)

bringing in a lot of money.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 06 April 2010 11:59 )