Biography
Date of Birth
4 December 1981, Houston, Texas, USA
Birth Name
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles
Nickname
JuJu
Mothe
Bey
Sasha Fierce
Queen B
Queen Bey
Yoncé
Height
5' 7" (1.7 m)
Mini Biography
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles was born on September 4, 1981 in Houston, Texas. Her mom, Tina Knowles-Lawson designs their glittering costumes & her dad, Mathew Knowles manages Destiny's Child. Solange, her sister (they're 4 years apart) has released her debut album. She dances with her big sister during DC-3 concerts. Beyoncé's of Louisiana Creole & African descent.
She and her group were discovered by Whitney Houston. One of her favorite songs is "Lovefool" by The Cardigans. Her favorite item of clothing is a pair of path work metallic boots. She writes & produces many of the group's songs, including smash hits "Jumpin Jumpin", "Bootylicious", "Nasty Girl", "Independent Women", "Happy Face" and "Apple Pie a la mode".
Trivia
Lead singer of the singing group Destiny's Child.
Toured with Christina Aguilera as her opening act (2000).
Toured with TLC as their opening act (1999).
Has a cat named Master P
Attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas.
Solange's big sister and Nixon & Koi Knowles' older half-sister.
Once appeared on Star Search (1983).
In 2001, she became the first African-American woman to ever win the ASCAP Pop Songwriter of the Year Award.
Is a huge fan of Middle Eastern music and dance.
Her biggest hit to date is song "Crazy in Love" (2003).
The Radio Music Awards, MTV Europe Video Music Awards and Billboard Awards are among the awards shows she has performed on in 2003. She also performed at a South African AIDS benefit show in November 2003, organized by Bono of U2 to combat the AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa.
(February 8, 2004) Won five Grammy Awards, including Best Contemporary R&B Album for "Dangerously in Love", she took home the most awards for this year's (2004) show.
Her father, Mathew, is of African-American descent. Her mother, Tina, is of Louisiana Creole ancestry - mainly African and French, with ancestors from Louisiana, and, before that, Canada. Beyoncé is also of 1/32 Irish descent, and has distant Breton, Spanish, Indonesian, and Chinese roots on her mother's side, as well.
Has been quoted as saying that to get over her shyness she developed a stage persona named "Sasha".
Was voted number 1 on VH1's 100 Hottest Hotties
Her favorite rapper is Wyclef Jean.
She and Jay-Z are buying a house in Miami as well as in London, England.
Tina Knowles-Lawson & Mathew Knowles' oldest daughter.
Ranked #7 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World" (2002).
Julez Smith's aunt.
Ex-sister-in-law of college football player, Daniel Smith.
Beyoncé was named after her mom's maiden name, Beyoncé.
Attended Welch Middle School in Houston, Texas.
Sang three of the five Oscar-nominated songs at The 77th Annual Academy Awards (2005), including one completely in French (2005).
One of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" for most wanted lips (2004).
(June 13, 2005) She and the other members of Destiny's Child announced that they will disband after their tour ends in the fall.
Ranked #1 on E!'s 50 Steamiest Southern Stars
Along with Nicole Richie, Veronica Webb, Kelly Osbourne, Angie Everhart, Alexandra Richards, Irina Pantaeva, Marisa Miller, Wyclef Jean, Rachel Hunter, Naomi Campbell and Janice Dickinson, she participated in the "Fashion for Relief" show on September 16, 2005 in New York, a benefit for AmeriCares to support victims for Hurricane Katrina. Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale were among the celebrities who attended.
Attended the same high school Seattle Supersonic Rashard Lewis attended.
Launched a clothing line, "House of Dereon", with her mother, Tina Knowles-Lawson, in 2005. The name, Dereon, is Tina's mother's maiden name.
Named #17 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women of 2005 list.
Has known R&B singer Alicia Keys since she was 14.
(March 28, 2006) Along with her Destiny's Child members, she and they were honored with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
Is a huge fan of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Ranked #17 in FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement.
Was featured as #3 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women of 2002 supplement.
She and her then-boyfriend Jay-Z own 3 apartments at South Beach in Miami.
Studied acting with Ivana Chubbuck.
Among the guests at her 25th birthday were Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Nicole Richie, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.
Named #18 in FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement.
First female artist to reach number one position on both singles and albums chart simultaneously in the United States and the United Kingdom (2003).
Won Best International Female Solo Artist, Brit Awards (2004).
Was officially in the BAFTA longlist (Equivalently, the semi-finals) for Best Actress in a Leading Role, for her role in Dreamgirls (2006), which consisted of 15 finalists for each category (except Animated Film). However, she was eliminated in the next round, which the five official nominees were selected (2007).
Beyoncé and Shakira are collaborating on a song called "Beautiful Liar". The song will appear on a special-edition reissue of Beyoncé's solo album, "B'Day".
Ranked #13 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women of 2007 list.
Ranked #16 on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists.
Winner of the Gold Media Prize, BRAVO Supershow, Germany (2007).
Best friends with Kelly Rowland since they were children.
Good friends with Gwyneth Paltrow, Mariah Carey, and Rihanna.
Was featured on the "Most Overrated of 2006" list.
Ranked #14 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women of 2008 list.
Ranked #4 in the 2008 Forbes The Celebrity 100 list.
The Brazilian electro-pop/rock group CSS, famous for their song "Music is My Hot, Hot Sex" used in an Apple commercial, took their name from a reported quote from 'Beyonce' in which she stated she was tired of being sexy. Cansei de Ser Sexy is Brazilian Portuguese literally meaning "tired of being sexy".
Won Best International Female Artist, NRJ Radio Awards, Europe (2004).
Nominated twice for International Female Artist of the Year (2007 and 2009), NRJ Music Awards, France.
Before her trio became Destiny's Child they were known as Girls Tyme.
Mother Tina Knowles-Lawson used to run a hair salon.
She and Destiny's Child were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
Chosen by American music-magazine, "Billboard", as Woman of the Year (2009).
Won three awards for Best Female Artist, Best Song (for "Halo") and Best Video (for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)"). She won the most awards at the 2009 ceremony. She was also nominated for Best Live Act. MTV Europe Music Awards (2009).
Nominated for International Album of the Year (for "I Am... Sasha Fierce"), NRJ Music Awards, France (2010).
Winner of "World's Greatest Popstars" season, voted by the public - T4/4Music, United Kingdom (2009).
The gold and diamond nail rings for the music video "Sweet Dreams" is valued at $36,000. It was made by Bijules designer, Jules Kim.
According to a television interview with Steve Jones for Beyonce: For the Record (2009), Beyoncé said the music video for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" was the cheapest video made, of all her singles released. This was because most of the budget was used for the single "If I Were a Boy".
Received NRJ Award of Honor, NRJ Music Awards, France (2010).
In 2010, she launched her new fragrance "Heat" at Macy's in Manhattan. On the TV commercial for the fragrance, Beyoncé sang "Fever", a song most popularized by Peggy Lee.
Her victory at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards (January 31, 2010) set a record for a female artist: six Grammy wins in a single year, including Song of the Year (for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)"), Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (for "Halo"), Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song and Best Contemporary R&B Album (for "I Am... Sasha Fierce").
(January 20, 2009) Sang "At Last" (immortalized by Etta James) at the first presidential inaugural ball as Barack Obama and Michelle Obama danced cheek-to-cheek. Other featured artists in the venue included, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Sting, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Maroon 5's Adam Levine, etc.
In her song "Get Me Bodied" from her album "B'Day, she says four numbers at the start of her song, 9,4,8 and 1. These numbers are her birth date. The 4th of September (9th month) and 8 and 1 because she was born in 1981.
At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards she won the Video of the Year award and allowed Taylor Swift to finish her acceptance speech for Best Female Video after Kanye West interrupted her.
First started singing in the church choir at St. John's Church in downtown Houston, Texas. Has been a lifelong member of (and contributor to) the church.
Formed the Survivors' Foundation for survivors of Hurricane Katrina.
Was a tomboy and refused to wear dresses when she was younger.
One of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World (2013).
Beyoncé and Jay-Z were one of the main headliners at the Prince's Urban Trust. [April 2004]
New York City: "Four Intimate Nights" of sold-out performances at Manhattan's Roseland Ballroom. [August 2011]
One of Time magazine's Most Influential People in the World. [April 2014]
Was born on a Friday at 10:00 AM CST.
Ranked #21 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women of 2014 list.
Step-daughter of Richard Lawson. Step-sister of Bianca Lawson.
She would have been the first female act to headline Coachella since Björk in 2007.
Canceled her performance at Coachella because of her pregnancy[February 2017].
Idol of Asia Monet Ray.
As of Sept 2016, she has 85.3 million Instagram Followers,.
Performed her songs "Love Drought" and "Sandcastles" at the 2016 Grammy Awards.
Will headline the Coachella festival in 2018.
Most nominated woman in Grammys history.
In 1989 sang in a junior talent contest.
AskMen.com Sexiest Woman of the Decade from 2000-2010.
Named People's Most Beautiful Woman in the World in 2012.
Most awarded artist at the BET and MTV Music Awards.
Was the only non-supermodel to cover Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition until MMA fighter Ronda Rousey.
Named the Sexiest Woman of the Century by GQ Magazine.
AskMen.com Sexiest Woman in 2007.
Has 3 children: daughter, Blue Ivy Carter (b. January 7, 2012) and daughter, Rumi Carter & son, Sir Carter (b. June 13, 2017) with husband, Jay-Z.
Her cat Master P is named after the rapper Master P.
Owner of Parkwood Entertainment.
Attended St. Mary's Montessori School in Houston, where she enrolled in dance classes.
Attended Alief Elsik High School in Houston.
Musical influences include Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Tina Turner, Aaliyah, Prince, Lauryn Hill, Sade, Donna Summer, Mary J. Blige, Janet Jackson, Anita Baker, and Rachelle Ferrell.
In fall of 1990, she enrolled in Parker Elementary School, a music magnet school in Houston, where she would perform with the school's choir.
Her fans are affectionately known as "The Beyhive".
Admires Tejano singer Selena and credits Selena's Spanish-language albums as helping her with pronunciation on her Spanish-language recordings.
According to Fuse in 2014, she is the second most awarded recording artist of all time, only behind Michael Jackson.
Is mentioned by name in 50 Cent's 2004 "Respect It or Check It" hip-hop track.
Wore a Galia Lahav wedding dress to renew her vows.
Sister-in-law of music video director, Alan Ferguson.
Her name, Beyoncé, is a tribute to her mother's maiden name, Beyincé.
Her maternal grandparents were French-speaking Louisiana Creoles, with roots in New Iberia; their ancestry was mostly African and French (including French ancestors who lived in Canada).
Trademarks:
Large, heavy earrings
Often wears bodysuits when performing
Often wears stiletto heels
Mezzo-soprano vocals
Quotes
There's plenty of days when I'm like "Oh God, why?". But that's just life. It's every job, not just mine. Every moment is not perfect. But it's definitely more good times than bad. You can't even compare. And when I'm on stage it feels incredible. There are certain nights that you know you hit that crazy note and you know that spin spinned extra fast. And you look out and people are just into it and you've worked so hard and now it's paying off and you can see why you dedicated your life to this.
[on comparisons to J-Lo] It doesn't annoy me, no, because I respect J-Lo. I like her, I think she's great. And I know that I'm over a decade younger than her, it's so flattering that I'm so young and people are comparing me to someone who has accomplished so much. But I don't think I'm like anyone else and really, I'd rather not be compared to anyone else.
[on her song "Bootylicious"] I wrote that because, at the time, I'd gained some weight and the pressure that people put you under, the pressure to be thin, is unbelievable. I was just 18 and you shouldn't be thinking about that. You should be thinking about building up your character and having fun and the song was just telling everyone just forget what people are saying, you're bootylicious. That's all. It's a celebration of curves and a celebration of women's bodies.
Who I am on stage is very, very different to who I am in real life. But I don't see that having a sexy image when you are on stage means that you don't love God. No one knows what I'm really like from that. I like to walk around with bare feet and I don't like to comb my hair. I'm always so glammed up and so diva on stage and that's what they see. People don't understand that... No one knows my personal relationship with God and it's not up to me to prove that to anyone.
For me, it's about the way I carry myself and the way I treat other people. My relationship and how I feel about God and what He does for me, is something deeply personal. It's where I came from, my family, I was brought up in a religious household and that's very important to me. But I understand the mentality of people. I know that people judge others based on certain things. I know how celebrities really are. I've done it too. You meet people - rock stars, rappers, whoever - who you have seen on television and you go into their homes and they are regular people, just like everyone else.
[When asked about the disbanding of Destiny's Child] Not because one person wants to go solo. Or not because we don't like each other. Or because we're not selling records anymore. But because it has to end at a certain point. (June 2005)
We all have our imperfections. But I'm human and you know, it's important to concentrate on other qualities besides outer beauty.
One of the things that kept me out of trouble was doing something creative - creativity can't be judged.
On Bollywood cinema: I'm a fan of a few Bollywood films. I have seen Devdas (2002) and Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001), both great films. I loved Devdas (2002) - the actress was amazing! I cried towards the end of the film. Indian films are very colorful. It can be fun to do a film like that at least once. Given a chance, I'd love to do an Indian film. (December 2004)
On her religious faith and the categorizing of gay society: Well, you know, I grew up going to church, but I was raised by my uncle who passed away with AIDS a couple of years ago. He was my mother's best friend. And my mother's cousin. He brought me to school every day. He helped me buy my prom dress. He made my clothes with my mother. He was like my nanny. He was my favorite person in the world. And you know, I never really mixed Christianity with how I felt about him. I am about faith and spirituality more so than religion. Doing right by others and not judging.
If I weren't performing, I'd be a beauty editor or a therapist. I love creativity, but I also love to help others. My mother was a hairstylist, and they listen to everyone's problems - like a beauty therapist!
When I sing a song, I definitely have the image for the video in my mind. I kind of hear the choreography that will be in the video, and I can see how I'll look, even before anyone--the record company, the director--has heard the song.
I discovered after going to music festivals that I am a rock fan. I love the guitars, the phrasing, and the abandon of rock fans. You may be shocked to know that I love Peter Gabriel. His voice is so pure. Listen to In Your Eyes.
I'm like everyone else. I have days when I look in the mirror and I'm like "Oh my gosh, I wish I could change this or that." The more you mature, you realize that this imperfections make your more beautiful.
[on what helps to animate her act] I'm like "Please piss me off before the performance.".
I don't like to gamble, but if there's one thing I'm willing to bet on, it's myself.
If you live your life with kindness and give other people great energy, that beauty and great energy come back to you.
Not everyone is supposed to be the same. Be healthy and take care of yourself - and be happy with the beautiful things that made you.
[Mike Myers, her costar in Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002), recalls this rare reminder of her youth. "I mentioned that it would be good to mash together "Baby Boy" and "The Ocean", by Led Zeppelin."] Who's Led Zeppelin?
[on hurricane Harvey and hurricane Irma] Just when you think it couldn't possibly get worse, natural disasters take take precious life, do massive damage, and forever change lives, leaving behind contaminated water, flooded hospitals, schools, and nursing homes and countless families are now homeless. Natural disasters don't discriminate. They don't see if you're an immigrant, black or white, Hispanic or Asian, Jewish or Muslim, wealthy or poor. It doesn't matter if you're from Houston neighborhoods Third Ward or River Oaks, we're all in this together
it's impossible to watch the news without seeing violence or racism in this country.
[on singing in Spanish] I grew up in Texas and one of my good friends from there is Mexican and she was so excited when she heard that I was doing songs in Spanish. She turned me on to Selena's album when I was growing up and I listened to it all the time. At the time, I wasn't too familiar with Spanish speaking artists. A lot of my fans are Hispanic and they've always told me, 'you should sing something in Spanish' but I don't speak Spanish at all. I took it in school but I don't speak it at all but I thought let me give this a try.
[on meeting with the Tejano singer Selena] I did actually meet Selena in the Galleria Mall in Houston, but I didn't say much to her because I wasn't a celebrity. I just saw her and said hello and kept it moving. Definitely growing up in Texas, I heard her on the radio. I think listening to her album - even though I didn't know exactly what she was saying - it helped me in the studio with my pronunciation. I think she is a legend. I admire her. She was so talented.
[on admiring the Latino culture and her Latino fans] I would thank them for embracing me. I did radio (promotions) this morning for hours and hours and I noticed a big difference between speaking to all of the Latino stations and speaking to the pop stations or the other stations. With the Latino stations, there was so much love and everyone is so genuine. I'm just jealous that I wasn't born Latina. I wish I had been because the culture is so beautiful. I'm very grateful Latinos are embracing me.
[on Jennifer Lopez, Selena, and Shakira] Jennifer Lopez, I completely admire her story of growing up in the Bronx and the success that she's had and the empire she's created. She's a very intelligent woman. I got a chance to work with her on the Pepsi commercial. She's unbelievably beautiful and talented. Of course. Selena. Growing up in Texas, hearing about her all time. I've actually performed at rodeos. I know she did that a lot. And she's close to me because of where I'm from. I've also admired Shakira. We just did a song called "Beautiful Liar" and I just think that her dancing and her singing is a very unique style. But more important, she's the nicest most humble woman I've ever worked with. I think the great thing about our duet is that we're at a great point in our careers, we're both in our prime and we worked together and it was nothing but positive and effortless. It just seemed like we were long lost sisters. We looked alike and did certain things alike in that video. It's so weird because we grew up on different sides of the world.
[on connecting with the Latino culture] I feel connected for one because family is very important to me and I know it's important to all my Latino fans and just the heart and the rhythm of the music and the drums and the spiciness it reminds me of Creole. It reminds me of my heritage and where I come from.
I'm a little messy. Oh, yeah. Whenever I'm out in public, I have to be put together. When I get home, I rebel against it and I don't want to take care of anything. I drop it. I think that is the most difficult thing for him [Jay-Z]. He's very, very organized.
