In a rare interview with GQ for its October issue, Beyoncé opens up about the pressures of fame, balancing her career and family life, and how she manages her creative process. Despite her success, the 43-year-old superstar revealed that fame often feels like “a prison.”
Fame’s Limitations for Beyoncé
During the interview, Beyoncé addressed the weight of her fame. “It is fame that can at times feel like prison,” she shared. “When you don’t see me on red carpets, and when I disappear until I have art to share, that’s why.” She further explained that she values her privacy and makes conscious efforts to step back from public life. “I’ve made an extreme effort to stay true to my boundaries and protect myself and my family,” she said.
The Grammy-winning artist, known for her perfectionism, also noted that her work isn’t a burden. “I focus on storytelling, growth, and quality. I’m not focused on perfectionism,” she clarified. Beyoncé emphasized that her creative projects, including her work on the album Cowboy Carter, feel liberating. “I only work on what liberates me,” she added.
Family and Balance
As a mother of three, Beyoncé also opened up about how she balances family and work. “I build my work schedule around my family. I try to only tour when my kids are out of school,” she explained. Beyoncé shares her children, Blue Ivy, 12, and twins Rumi and Sir, 7, with her husband Jay-Z. She emphasized that parenting is both challenging and rewarding, saying, “Raising three kids isn’t easy. The older they get, the more they become their own individuals with unique needs.”
While Beyoncé admitted that managing fame and family is tough, she highlighted the importance of normalcy. “I’ve worked extremely hard to make sure my kids have as much normalcy and privacy as possible,” she noted, adding, “No amount of money is worth my peace.”