'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With 32 Grammys and innumerable other accolades, Beyoncé is one of the most decorated musical icons of this generation. Her latest album, Cowboy Carter, debuted at #1 in various countries across the world and became her eighth grade consecutive album to reach the top of the Billboard 200 list.
However, the 42-year-old didn't become singing royalty overnight. Beyoncé is called Queen Bey because she is much more than a singer; the 42-year-old has become a cultural icon for multiple generations. Similar to a beehive having a queen bee, Beyoncé's fans (Beehivers) refer to her as 'Queen Bey'.
From working in her mom's salon to becoming one of the most decorated icons of the music industry, here is her journey from Beyoncé Knowles to Queen Bey.
Trending
Beyoncé's journey to Queen Bey explained
Born on September 4, 1981, Beyoncé Knowles was a shy and introverted kid who started performing in the school choir of Parker Elementary School at the tender age of seven.
As she grew up, she started drawing attention and winning awards with her singing and dancing abilities. However, success didn't follow her from the word go.
The singer's first solo, Girls Tyme, failed to pick up any pace, and she didn't get any recognition until she became the lead singer of Destiny's Child.
The band's first Grammy came with the song Say My Name and Beyoncé became the first woman of color to win ASCAP Pop Songwriter of the Year with Independent Woman Part 1.
However, real stardom hit the singer after she launched her solo career with 2003's Dangerously In Love. The album became a hit overnight and topped all lists across the United States. It also won five Grammys and a whole barrage of other awards that year.
The album was quick to hit four million copies in sales in the United States and over eight million worldwide.
Dangerously In Love showcased Beyoncé's versatility and range as a singer. It also featured guest appearances from icons like Missy Elliott and Sean Paul.
At present, the 42-year-old has eight studio albums and has set records for being the most nominated female artist in Grammy history, most Grammys won by a female artist. Besides Grammys, the Queen Bey also holds the record for the most MTV VMA wins, BET Award wins, and a host of other records.
Here are the major records held by the Renaissance singer.
Queen Bey has also dabbled in many other avenues besides singing and songwriting. She made her acting debut in 2001's Carmen: A Hip Hopera.
A year later, she was again on the big screen with stars like Mike Myers in Austin Powers in Goldmember. In 2003, she played in her third film alongside Cuba Gooding in The Fighting Temptations.
Queen Bey's big acting break came with her role in Dreamgirls alongside industry juggernauts like Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, and others. The film also earned Beyoncé several Academy Awards. Later, she went on to act in more films like Cadillac Records and Lady Gaga's Telephone.
Furthermore, her legacy also consists of her being a female empowerment icon. The multiple Grammy winner has utilized her stardom judiciously to spread positive messages of empowerment and positivity through her deeds and her lyrics.
In 2007, the Renaissance singer became the first non-athlete and non-model to feature on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Additionally, she has featured on the cover of People's Most Beautiful People issue twice and also made it to the list of Time's 100 Most Influential People in 2014.
Talking about influence, Queen Bey is also one of the most followed celebrities on social media. She is the ninth most-followed person on Instagram, with a whopping 318 million followers. Furthermore, Beyoncé has 15.2 million more followers on her X (formerly Twitter) handle.
The 32-time Grammy winner also amasses wealth and influence from her lucrative sponsorship deals with brands like Tommy Hilfiger, L'Oreal, Tiffany & Co., etc. According to Forbes, her net worth currently stands at a whopping $760 million, and Queen Bey is well on her way to touching the coveted one billion mark very soon.
All these make Queen Bey one of the most followed celebrities on the planet, with an ever-expanding beehive.
