Beyonce Knowles Biography

Jul 31, 2015

Birthdate: September 4, 1981
Birthplace: Houston, Texas
Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Whatever Beyoncé sets her mind to, whether it's acting, singing, dancing or clothing design, she succeeds at in a big way. We take a look at this legend-in-the-making.

Early Life

When she was eight years old, Beyoncé Knowles auditioned for a kids singing group in Houston, Texas and met LaTavia Robertson (who later became a member of Destiny's Child). The two later met Kelly Rowland and LeToya Lucket and formed the group Girl's Tyme. The group went on the compete and lose on Star Search.

Beyonce with Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams

Hittin' It Big

Girl's Tyme later changed its name to Destiny's Child and Beyoncé Knowles' dad left his high-paying job to become their manager. The girl group was eventually signed to Columbia Records in 1997 and landed a song on The Men in Black soundtrack called "Killing Time." Destiny's Child's self-titled debut was a huge success. Destiny's Child's later released, This Is The Remix and Beyonce Knowles' solo debut Dangerously in Love hit store shelves in June 2003. Beyonce released the album Live at Wembley in 2004 and in 2006 she released B'Day.

Beyonce's Dangerously in Love Album CoverCourtesy of Columbia Records

Acting Up

In 2001, Beyoncé Knowles starred in the MTV adaptation of the opera Carmen, A Hip Hopera. In 2002, she played Foxxy Cleopatra in Austin Powers: Goldmember. Since then Beyoncé has snagged roles in:

The Fighting Temptations (2003)
The Pink Panther (2006)
Dreamgirls (2006)
Cadillac Records (2008)
Obsessed(2009)
Life is But a Dream (2013)
Epic (as the voice of Queen Tara, 2013)

Beyonce in Dreamgirls

Mama Knowles Best

Although they kept their relationship private for a long time, it's suspected that Beyoncé and her husband rapper/producerJay-Z first started dating when they collaborated on "Bonnie & Clyde" in 2002, and even when they married in 2008 they managed to keep press to a minimum (no easy feat when you're both music superstars!)

In 2011 she announced she was pregnant during a performance of "Love on Top" at the MTV Music Video Awards, and in 2012 she became a mother! Her daughter's name is Blue Ivy.

Sasha Fierce to The Secret Album

Bet you didn't know that even Queen Bey needs a little help from an alter ego now and then - and for her, it's Sasha Fierce! Her 2008 album I Am...Sasha Fierce was all about letting out your bravest self, she originally created Sasha to help her be sassy and confident on stage, but she revealed in 2010 that she no longer needed her stage personality. She followed up Sasha Fierce with her 2011 album Four.

December 13, 2013 Beyoncé blew all her fans out of the water by releasing Beyoncé (otherwise known as "The Secret Album"). It was called the secret album because the diva recorded the entire thing in secret, with no leaks, no promotion and no hints to fans. She dropped the album without saying a word and it was a major success - with fans and critics! It was her fifth number one album, and it included 14 tracks and 17 videos - talk about getting your money's worth!

Beyonce in XO from The Secret Album

Did You Know?

Destiny's Child (of which Beyoncé Knowles is a founding member) was one of the best-selling girl groups in the world.
Beyoncé Knowles wrote and produced almost every song on Destiny's Child's Survivor CD
Destiny's Child's hit song, Emotion, is a remake of a Bee Gees hit from the '70s
Kelly Rowland is Beyonce Knowles' cousin
On January 7^th, 2012 Beyoncé gave birth to daughter Blue Ivy
In 2014 she became the highest earning African American performer in history
She won 3 awards at the 2015 Grammy's
Her sister Solange is also a singer

Beyonce with husband Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ive

Beyoncé Knowles Says....

"The meaning of the song is just confidence. Bootylicious doesn't necessarily mean you have to have a big booty. It's all about attitude and feeling good about yourself and not looking like everybody on TV. You do not have to be small you can have some junk in your trunk."