BEYONCÉ: The Interview

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At the grand age of 31, this Afro-Creole American with the eyes of Bambi has the world at her feet.
And yet it was hardly written in the stars that Texan Beyoncé Giselle Knowles, would become a sex symbol. A hair-dresser mother, a traditional Baptist father, the woman who would one day become the fantasy of everyman and the captivating and extremely well-paid face of several brands of cosmetics, grew up to the rhythm of the church organ! After leaving her band Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé threw herself body – and what a body – and soul into the movie business.
Her aim: to become THE queen of the box office after a sell-out world tour. All hail her Majesty!

By our London correspondent
Frank Rousseau.

How do you cope with celebrity life?

Initially, the attraction of the unknown can make your heap spin. The feeling of being chosen by the Gods!
It’s that glitter moment. And very soon you realise you aren’t free like you used to be.
Whatever you do, there will always be someone out there ready to spill the beans on you or start a false rumour. It’s the flip side of the coin.

Is it true that the first show you ever put on was in your mother’s hair-dressing salon?

Yes it is! Me and my girlfriends would go there every week to “test” our new songs on the customers. We usually came away with a few tips. The number one challenge was to make our voices carry over the noise of the hair-dryers!
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Is it true that your mother is the only person allowed to touch your hair before you go on stage?!

It was true at the beginning of my career but it’s no longer the case. My mother also used the opportunity to give me a head massage and to de-stress me. Now a professional team knows how to style me sexy.
Although we do still occasionally come across “oddballs”. In Europe, I found myself in the hands of a so-called hair artist who wanted to give me a spiky look.
Stupidly I thought she wanted to give me a bit of tousled style. Not at all! After having used an entire pot of gel on my head, the face staring back at me from the mirror was that of an Afro-American “performer” who stuck her wet fingers in an electric socket!

[/one_half] [/row] [row] [one_half] You are the queen in the computer animated fantasy film Epic, but you are also a “queen” to a certain extent because we waited for you [Beyoncé arrived more than an hour later than the scheduled interview time] and also because an entire court follows you [body guards, agents, make-up artists, photographers and assistants etc.] We were wondering whether you ever manage to get any kind of privacy?

To be frank, when I walk into a supermarket, the only thing I’m capable of is buying nappies for my daughter and getting out of there in double-quick time – watched permanently by the store’s cameras! You know, my mother is always there to remind me I’m not a queen. I like that balance!

In this new animation film, you are the voice of a queen who tries to save the forest and those who live in it from a destructive army.
Are you wearing a green Barbara Bui jacket today to get the environmental message across better?

(Laughs). I’m really proud to be part of this film. I think it’s a smart way to warn the young and make them aware how fragile our environment is. The message goes over better when you offer children a fun vector…

You are also very natural when it comes to what you eat. You are one of the few females in Hollywood for example to celebrate your curves and to point the finger at the tyranny of dieting.

When I see these young actresses conditioned by weight-loss programmes I don’t get it. [/one_half] [one_half] Why would you insist on trying to be skinny when you’re not naturally that way? You need to watch your figure but it’s not a good idea to eat one piece of fruit a day when you are growing or when you are expending a lot of energy. Food is a kind of fuel. If you don’t fill the tank, you body breaks down. It’s as simple as that!

What is your favourite accessory?

Heels! It’s like an incurable disease! My wardrobe is about to implode it’s stuffed with so many pairs of shoes. I confess I do tend to keep the boxes as well so they take up quite a lot of room. (Laughs)

How much time do you spend in front of your mirror?

Thirty minutes max! Now if I have to do the red carpet, with dress fittings, make-up and hair that can run to two hours to get ready. They often say beauty is pain, I say it’s more patience!

What would be an ideal holiday spot for you?

Miami because the water’s hotter than in California. You just have to dodge the sharks and the hysterical fans!

And what is your secret for dodging the ravages of time?

I try not to stress too much for a start. Stress is your skin’s biggest enemy.

If you could time travel…

I’m very torn. I want to say I would like to live in the 18th century, especially in France because I have always loved the princess dresses! (Laughs). On the other hand I love science fiction and could see myself visiting other planets at the speed of light like in Star Trek! [/one_half] [/row] [row] [one_third] [/one_third] [two_third]

Expert voice - Christine Margossian

Just like Beyoncé, you dye your hair. Our advice to ensure a harmonious colour: dye your hair a maximum of two shades lighter or one shade darker than your natural colour. Otherwise it will be the colour itself that stands out rather than doing its job of making YOU look fabulous. And as for those dark roots when your hair is too light...

Meilleur Ouvrier de France
Ambassadress l'Oréal Professionnel

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