Beyoncé Giselle Knowles

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles (born September 4, 1981), often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American RandB and pop recording artist, actress and fashion model. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child. Knowles rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time.      

What was it like working with comedians like Mike Myers in Austin Powers and Steve Martin in The Pink Panther?
'I've been very fortunate. Thank God I'm able to play the straight person because I could never be the comedian. Mike and Steve in some ways have similarities. They both write and they both completely become someone else. Mike stays in character the whole time he's dressed up. Steve is very professional and serious as opposed to Mike, who is shyer. Steve was instantly switching into that phoney French accent and that craziness - I just wanted to laugh all the time.'

Steve described you as very shy. Where does that shyness come from and is that the reason why you became a performer in the first place?
'Probably, yes. I don't say I'm shy anymore, I'm just kind of quiet and calm and I observe; when I am not working I like to just blend in. I come out of my shell when I'm on the stage, now I'm learning in films that I can do the same thing with different characters.'

Do you ever get tired of putting on the Beyonce character in public?
'I do enjoy dressing up and I enjoy photo shoots and videos. It's a place where I can kind of live out a fantasy. But really when I'm at home, I'm the complete opposite. I like heels and I do love stilettos but I don't wear diamonds or make-up when I'm off - I don't walk around dressed in pink diamonds every day.'

Who inspires you as an actress?
'I would have to say Barbra Streisand and Diana Ross in Mahogany and all the other movies. They were singers and they were successful and did not have to act, financially or for any other reasons, but they did because they wanted to and they loved it and were talented and gifted at it. I don't think there's anything wrong with combining music and film. I think it's great when you're able to act and sing. But I do want to eventually do a movie where I'm not a singer.'

Are you taking acting classes?
'I've been working with someone and it's going good. I've learned so much about myself. I've learned you have to pull from things and think about things that I never really thought about. I'm sure it's definitely going to also inspire me to write different songs and different types of music.'

What keeps you balanced?
'My family, definitely. There's always one or two family members with me at all times. They're right there [points to the back of the room]. I don't go anywhere without someone that loves me and that can tell me the truth. Family is so important to me.'

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What thoughts have you given to starting a family of your own?
'When I can slow down and focus on that, I will. I definitely want to have a family because I grew up with my mother, father, my sister and Kelly and my cousin and we all went to church every Sunday. We were a strong family and I want the same thing.'