Beyoncé has candidly discussed the pressures and scrutiny that come with fame, describing it as sometimes feeling like a prison. In a revealing interview for the October issue of GQ Magazine, the singer shared her thoughts on the burdens of maintaining her high standards and the expectations that come with her successful career.
When asked by GQ whether her reputation ever feels like a burden or a prison due to the high expectations following her past successes, Beyoncé responded, “I create at my own pace, on things that I hope will touch other people. I hope my work encourages people to look within themselves and come to terms with their own creativity, strength, and resilience. I focus on storytelling, growth, and quality. I’m not focused on perfectionism. I focus on evolution, innovation, and shifting perception.”
The artist emphasized that her current projects, including her work on the music for Cowboy Carter and other new ventures, are sources of liberation rather than burden. Beyoncé highlighted that the pressures of fame are what can sometimes feel confining, which is why she occasionally steps away from the public eye.
“Working on the music for Cowboy Carter and launching this exciting new project feel nothing like prison, nor a burden,” she said. “In fact, I only work on what liberates me. It is fame that can at times feel like prison. So, when you don’t see me on red carpets, and when I disappear until I have art to share, that’s why.”
