To quote one of her hit songs, Beyoncé Knowles was an "Irreplaceable" artist - excelling as a vocalist, songwriter, fashion designer, model, actress and all around tabloid icon. The Texas-born Knowles - with her china doll beauty, killer body and powerful pipes - became a true superstar in a very short time. Starting her career in the late 1990s as lead singer of the R&B group, Destiny's Child - one of the most successful girl groups of all time - and later triumphing as a solo star in music and film, Knowles added award-winning songwriter and accomplished fashion designer to her resume, giving similar entrepreneurial divas like Jennifer Lopez a run for their money. In the spring 2007, Beyoncé added "supermodel" to her already impressive resume by appearing on the coveted cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition - a first for a non-supermodel - as well as basked in the critical glow for her part in the popular film musical, "Dreamgirls" (2006).
Born in Houston, TX on Sept. 4, 1981, Beyoncé Giselle Knowles was a natural talent right off the bat. The eldest daughter of Matthew and Tina Knowles, the Knowles brood also included a younger sister, Solange, who herself made a name for herself as an actress in films like "Johnson Family Vacation" (2004). Beyoncé was named after her mother's surname. The local church served as a platform for the future star to hone her talents, singing in the choir at age seven and also taking dance classes. Along with childhood friend Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé started a singing and dancing group that was managed by her father. Two other girls - Latavia Roberson and Letoya Luckett - joined the group and the quartet would perform in neighbors' backyards and in Tina's hair salon. At that time, they were coined Girl's Tyme, but would eventually change it to Destiny's Child.
The girls got their first big break by appearing in the nationally televised show "Star Search" (CBS, 1983-2004). Girl's Tyme did not win the competition, so Mr. Knowles decided to quit his salesman job and manage his daughter's group full time. They were signed to Columbia Records in 1996 and with the new name, Destiny's Child, the group made their recording debut with the single, "Killing Time," which appeared on the soundtrack for the 1997 film "Men in Black." Their enjoyed their first taste of Billboard success with the song "No, No, No Part 2" off their first album as Destiny's Child, titled simply, Destiny's Child. However, follow-up singles "With Me Part 1" and "Get on the Bus" failed to reproduce the success of "No, No, No." Despite that fact, The LP eventually sold more than 2 million copies worldwide and the group garnered three "Soul Train" Lady of Soul Awards in 1998.
Though thought of as yet another one-hit-wonder girl band, when Destiny's Child's second album The Writing's On the Wall was released in 1999, it spawned multiple hits including two Number Ones - "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Say My Name." The group won several awards for their sophomore effort, including Grammys for Best R&B Performance by Duo or Group with Vocals and Best R&B Song. Touring also became a big part of the group's schedule, serving as opening acts to superstars like TLC and Christina Aguilera.
Unfortunately, just as they were about to truly break through, Roberson and Luckett - two of the original members - decided to leave the group, citing unhappiness with Matthew Knowles' management. Two new members were brought in - Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin - and Destiny's Child was a foursome yet again. While the second record was still enjoying chart success, the former members took Beyoncé and the management team to court, citing financial issues and unfairness in how they were treated in the group. After just five months in Destiny's Child, Franklin quit due to personal reasons. The group became a trio and it would stay that way into its third album and beyond.
In October 2001, Beyoncé, Rowlands and Williams recorded the theme song to the film version of the popular television series, "Charlie's Angels" (2000), starring the new Angels, Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz. The song "Independent Women, Part 1" spent 11 weeks at the top of the charts. Their third album, Survivor, followed on its heels, solidifying Destiny's Child as one of the most successful girl groups at that time. Beyoncé wrote and produced several tracks as well, winning Songwriter of the Year from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Pop Music Awards. She was the first African-American female and only the second female songwriter to be honored. Other hits spawned by Survivor included the infectious (and quietly mocked) "Bootylicious;" a cover of the Bee Gees-penned '70s hit, "Emotion" (originally recorded by Samantha Sang); and the catchy title song.
Because the spotlight was consistently on Beyoncé as the more dynamic lead in a female trio, she was often compared to Diana Ross - ironic, since in five years, she would portray an ersatz Ross in "Dreamgirls" - while the other girls were treated as backup singers. The ladies answered back by appearing on the cover of Vibe magazine looking glamorously reminiscent of the Supremes in full sixties garb. And as always, Rowland and Williams would publicly decry any rancor or professional jealousy, claiming they were long-time friends and nothing would ever come between them. And to be fair, whether this was true or not, Destiny's Child remained strong, remaining focused on their music and looking fabulous as a trio, decked out in fashions designed by Tina Knowles.
That same year, Beyoncé was offered the part of Carmen for the MTV film, "Carmen: A Hip Hopera," a modern day version of the famous opera. It would mark Abeyance's first foray into acting, using her full name as her acting moniker. A year later, the promise she showed in "Carmen" lit up the big screen in "Austin Powers in Goldmember" in 2002. As sassy and sexy super agent Foxxy Cleopatra - an homage to roles made famous by Pam Grier in films such as "Coffy" (1973) and "Foxy Brown" (1974) - the afro-sporting Beyoncé showed off an unexpected comedic timing and grace, more than holding her own alongside the films star, comedian Mike Myers.
2003 was a good year - a great year for any artist, in fact. Beyoncé delivered a one-two punch, with the release of yet another movie and, more importantly, her first solo album. At the time, everyone speculated whether releasing a solo album meant that Destiny's Child was kaput. Beyoncé promised the group would come back and that her solo career would never get in the way of her group's career. She co-starred with Cuba Gooding, Jr. in the lighthearted and soulful film, "The Fighting Temptations," in which she and Gooding attempt to revive a town's choir traditions in a modern society. Though it did not do as well box office-wise as "Austin Powers," Beyoncé was once again singled out as a natural talent onscreen.
Her solo album, Dangerously in Love, on the other hand, became one of the biggest recording hits of the year, fueled by songs like "Crazy in Love," "Naughty Girl," and "Baby Boy." The album was certified platinum after just three weeks of its release. Her sexy, see-thru top on the album's cover was impossible to ignore, signaling a new sexier image for the diva. Not unexpectedly, due to its monster success cutting across all musical genres, Dangerously won a record-tying (with former winners Lauryn Hill in 1999; Alicia Keys in 2002 and Norah Jones in 2003) five Grammy awards in early 2004 - including two for its songs and one for the album itself - Best Contemporary R&B Album.
Even more titillating than her career, quickly became her personal life. In addition to constant rumors of discord between the girls and the alleged Svengali-like hold Matthew Knowles held over his daughter, the press followed Beyoncé's love life as she jetted around the world - particularly as she began dating former street hustler-turned-rapper/producing impresario, Jay-Z, in 2003. The singers denied any romance at first, but photos of the couple spending vacations together proved beyond a doubt that pictures spoke louder than words. The couple even recorded a song, the not-so-subtle, "03 Bonnie and Clyde."
Good on her word, it did not take long for Beyoncé to go back in the studio to work with Destiny's Child. In 2004, they released their fourth album, Destiny Fulfilled with Rowland and Williams. It was bittersweet for both the girls and their fans because it would be the group's last recorded album. Like its predecessors, it spawned hits like "Lose My Breath" and "Soldier," and a massive world tour followed. Their final album # 1s was released in October 2005 as a thank you to their fans. It became the best-selling "greatest hits" album by any female group in the history of recorded music.
Beyoncé again delivered a one-two punch in 2006 with a brand new solo album and a knockout performance in one of the most talked about movies of the year "Dreamgirls." She released the album B'Day on September 4, 2006 - coincidentally, her 25th birthday. There was no sophomore curse for Beyoncé, as hits like "Ring the Alarm" and "Irreplaceable" kept her on the top of the music charts. Adding to the charmed year, Beyoncé also starred in the blockbuster musical, "Dreamgirls," a film adaptation of the popular Broadway production. Playing Deena Jones, a member of a fictional sixties' girl group that rose to fame but found there were certain prices to pay along the way, Beyoncé considered Deena the role of a lifetime. She lit up every scene in the movie and was top-billed, along with actors Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy. Former "American Idol" (Fox, 2002- ) contestant Jennifer Hudson also starred in the movie and won multiple awards, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Effie White. Beyoncé also garnered nominations for her performance, including a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical. Like they had when she was a part of Destiny's Child, the media worked up a bit of professional jealousy between the big star Beyonce and the up-and-coming ingénue, Hudson. Both women denied a rift repeatedly when promoting the early Oscar fave (it would not receive a nod for Best Picture).
Acting awards may have slipped through her fingers, but Beyoncé proved she was still the darling of the Grammys when she won Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 2006 award show for the song "So Amazing", a duet with Stevie Wonder from the Luther Vandross tribute album, So Amazing: An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross.
On February 2007, Beyoncé won the much sought after cover of the Sport Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. The singer-actress became the second African-American woman to get the coveted title. With everything she had accomplished so far - including starting the PETA-bashing fashion line, House of Deréon with her mother - Beyoncé remained grateful to her family and upbringing and devoted to her millions of fans.