Despite being a global superstar, Beyoncé is widely known for keeping her personal and family life out of the public eye. But in a rare interview with GQ to promote her new whisky line, Beyoncé touched on various topics including her family life and how she deals with fame.
The Cowboy Carter singer in the interview admitted that fame can at times feel like a prison when she was asked if there's a point where her "reputation" as a "perfectionist" is a "burden, or even a prison" and if she ever feels "personally overwhelmed by the weight of expectations set by the highs" of her previous projects.
"I create at my own pace, on things that I hope will touch other people. I hope my work encourages people to look within themselves and come to terms with their own creativity, strength, and resilience. I focus on storytelling, growth, and quality. I'm not focused on perfectionism," the Grammy winner explained.
"I focus on evolution, innovation, and shifting perception. Working on the music for Cowboy Carter and launching this exciting new project feel nothing like prison, nor a burden. In fact, I only work on what liberates me. It is fame that can at times feel like prison. So, when you don't see me on red carpets, and when I disappear until I have art to share, that's why."
The 41-year-old's daughter Blue made headlines during her mother's last tour as the pair were spotted performing together at her shows. Asked if she was hesitant to include the 12-year-old in her public life and profession, the Single Ladies singer said that was not the case.
"I build my work schedule around my family. I try to only tour when my kids are out of school. I always dreamt of a life where I could see the world with my family and expose them to different languages, architecture, and lifestyles," she revealed.
"Raising three kids isn't easy. The older they get, the more they become their own individuals with unique needs, hobbies, and social lives. My twins are God-sent. Parenting constantly teaches you about yourself. It takes a lot of prayer and patience. I love it. It's grounding and fulfilling."
She continued: "My kids come with me everywhere I go. They come to my office after school, and they are in the studio with me. They are in dance rehearsals. It's natural that they would learn my choreography.
"Blue is an artist. She has great taste in music and fashion. She is a fantastic editor, painter, and actress. She has been creating characters since she was three. She's a natural, but I did not want Blue onstage. Blue wanted it for herself. She took it seriously and she earned it. And most importantly, she had fun! We all watched her grow more and more every night before our eyes."
As previously reported by Face2Face Africa, Beyoncé expanded her business portfolio after Moët Hennessy announced they had partnered with the legendary singer and launched a "groundbreaking" whisky named in honor of her great-grandfather.
The whisky, named SirDavis, is said to have taken years to create. And Beyoncé, who is a Japanese whisky lover and the founder of the whisky brand, partnered with Moët Hennessy to "help craft a one-of-a-kind flavor profile that reflected her whisky ideal", per the release.
The singer in her interview with GQ further touched on her love for whisky and why she decided to venture into the liquor industry. "I'll never forget the first day I had whiskey. It spoke to me nice. I remember thinking, Why have I never had this before?" she recalled.
"It was strong and warm, just the right amount of challenge. I loved the process, the ritual of it. Whiskey isn't something you just shoot down. It's a commitment. You gotta have patience. I like that."
She added: "Then I got into vintage Japanese whiskey and started doing tastings. It opened up a whole new world. I love everything about whiskey. The color, the smell, the way it dances in the glass.... And I love the stories that come with it. Every bottle has a history. I also like introducing whiskey to people who don't know they love it yet. I think a lot more women would love it if they tasted it, and if they were really spoken to by the whiskey world."
The 41-year-old continued: "Whiskey isn't just for old men in smoky bars; it's for anyone who appreciates depth, complexity, and a bit of mystery. The entire aging process is a labor of love, with attention put into every step, from the grains malting to the handcrafted barrels, and I appreciate all of it.
"Making whiskey is an art form. That's what I love and respect about it. As the great Willie Nelson once said: Sometimes you don't know what you love until somebody puts you on to some real good shit. So, to all the whiskey lovers out there, you're welcome!"