Beyonce Knowles is a rare superstar equally at home in a group, as a solo artist or in front of a movie camera. The Texas native has been in the public eye since she, cousin Kelly Rowland and another two other girls appeared on television’s Star Search.
The group launched as Destiny’s Child in 1990 quickly became one of the top selling groups of all time. After a gold record debut, 1999’s The Writing on the Wall, sold more than 8 million copies. The follow-up, Survivor, sold 4 million copies in six months.
Destiny’s Child split briefly after Survivor‘s release to try solo projects. Beyonce appeared in Austin Powers’ Goldmember with Mike Myers and released a #1 album in 2003, Dangerously in Love. That album featured two #1 singles, Crazy in Love and Baby Boy, and was followed by the album Live at Wembley, which peaked at #17.
Already the winner of two Grammy Awards while with Destiny’s Child, Beyonce’s musical peers showered her with six more through 2003. The singer was romantically linked with superstar Jay-Z and even had a signature perfume created through designer Tommy Hilfiger.
Beyonce’s solo career was put on hold again in 2004 when she reunited with Destiny’s Child again. Talking with Rolling Stone, the singer said, “The energy was beautiful. We started talking about what we should do, what our look should be and what the album should sound like. It’s always exciting to perform together.”
The group has a world tour planned for 2005, a year in which will Beyonce will continue her film work, appearing in Steve Martin’s remake of The Pink Panther.