Beyonce in British Vogue: ‘2020 has changed me and I want to shed stressful things in my life.’

Beyonce talks about her year in a rare interview with British Vogue
Beyonce British Vogue December 2020
Kennedi Carter/Vogue

Beyonce has said 2020 has “absolutely changed” her - adding she has given herself “permission” to focus on her “joy” rather than work.

The singer, 39, said living through a global pandemic had changed her perspective and she now wanted to “slow down and shed stressful things” in her life.

She said working on projects such as Lemonade,  her 2016 sixth album, her subsequent Formation world tour and recent visual album Black is King while raising a young family back to back prior to lockdown had been “hectic.”

Beyonce British Vogue Magazine
Beyonce in Vogue
Kennedi Varter/ Vogue

Beyonce is the cover star of the December Issue of British Vogue. The editorial was shot by Kennedi Carter - a 21-year-old photographer and the youngest in the magazine’s 104-year history to shoot its cover.

Previously, David Bailey was the youngest photographer who shot the cover at 23 in February 1961. 

Mother-of-three Beyonce, who has been married to rapper Jay Z since 2008, told Vogue she had: “Absolutely changed. It would be difficult to experience life in a pandemic and the current social unrest and not be changed. I have learnt that my voice is clearer when I am still. I truly cherish this time with my family, and my new goal is to slow down and shed stressful things from my life.”

The singer, who originally found fame in girl group Destiny’s Child, added: “I came into the music industry at 15 years old and grew up with the world watching, and I have put out projects non-stop.

"I released Lemonade during the Formation World Tour, gave birth to twins, performed at Coachella, directed Homecoming, went on another world tour with Jay, then Black Is King, all back to back. It’s been heavy and hectic. I’ve spent a lot of time focusing on building my legacy and representing my culture the best way I know how. Now, I’ve decided to give myself permission to focus on my joy.”

Beyonce British Vogue Magazine
Beyonce in Vogue
Kennedi Carter/Vogue

Beyonce was asked about being a voice for the BAME community during her career, saying after the birth of her daughter Blue Ivy “something cracked open” and she “understood her power.”

She added: “Something cracked open inside of me right after giving birth to my first daughter. From that point on, I truly understood my power, and motherhood has been my biggest inspiration. It became my mission to make sure she lived in a world where she feels truly seen and valued.”

The singer - who also has twins Sir and Rumi - added: “I was also deeply inspired by my trip to South Africa with my family. And, after having my son, Sir Carter, I felt it was important to uplift and praise our boys and to assure that they grow up with enough films, children’s books and music that promote emotional intelligence, self-value and our rich history.”

Beyonce Vogue December 2020
Beyonce in Vogue
Kennedi Carter/Vogue

Vogue Editor Edward Enninful said of working with Beyonce: “Everyone always wants to know what it’s like to work with Beyoncé and her incredible team, and the answer is: flawless. 

"A perfectionist to the core, more than anything she wanted her British Vogue moment to be filled with positivity as this trickiest of years draws to a close.”

The cover coincides with the release of Beyoncé’s latest Ivy Park range in association with Adidas.

Read the full feature in the December issue of British Vogue, available via digital download and on newsstands Friday 6th November

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