Exclusive Portrait: Life is But a Dream For Recording Mega Star Beyoncé

CHICAGO – It seems that 2013 so far has belonged to the Beyoncé, known now just by her first name. She began the year at President Obama’s second inauguration, admitting to lip-syncing her performance of the National Anthem. She followed that up with her triumphant Super Bowl halftime show, which also featured her former girl group, Destiny’s Child. Beyoncé then debuted her HBO special “Life is But a Dream,” which she also produced and directed.

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles was born in Houston, Texas, and made her debut in national media on “Star Search” when she was still a child. The band for that performance, “Girl Tyme,” eventually morphed into Destiny’s Child, when Beyoncé was only twelve years old. After scoring a single on the 1997 “Men in Black” soundtrack and releasing their self titled debut album, the group went on to multi-platinum success with “The Writing’s on the Wall” in 1999. This album produced their signature tunes “Jumpin’, Jumpin’” and “Say My Name.”

Management issues caused tension in the group, and Beyoncé embarked on a solo and film career. Her solo albums “Dangerously in Love” (2003), “B’Day” (2006), “I Am…Sasha Fierce” (2008) – which won the most Grammy Awards (six) for a female artist in one night – and “4” (2011), were highly acclaimed and huge sellers. She also appeared in the films “Goldmember” (2002), “Dreamgirls” (2006), “Cadillac Records” (2008) and the upcoming animated film, “Epic.” Her HBO special is still in rotation, and her fifth studio album is due in April.

Photographer Joe Arce captured this Exclusive Portrait of Beyoncé around the release of her album “B’Day.” This is the first time it has been published.

Beyoncé, photographed in 2006 Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

[16]	By PATRICK McDONALD [17] Senior Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com [16]