Beyoncé has come back from her year on ‘maternity leave’ with a bang.
But is that bang for the right reasons?
As a longstanding Beyoncé fan, I am not the only one of my generation who is confused by Queen Bey’s slow transformation.
In her Destiny’s Child days, she had millions of teenage girls rocking bandanas with her hit Survivor, and Independent Women inspired girls across the world to use their brains not their bodies.
Keeping up with the times doesn't constitute keeping up with the Kardashians
The trio’s hit song Nasty Girl ('Nasty put some clothes on, I told ya'), taught nineties teenage girls across the world about self-respect, without it coming from some bra-burning, armpit-haired man-hater.
Golden-haired, golden-voiced Beyoncé signified real beauty, brains and talent to women growing up in an era of increasing reality TV, glamour models and empty fame.
So when our golden girl returned to the limelight all bootie and boobies in a raunchy GQ shoot, some of us felt slightly perplexed.
The Run The World (Girls) singer credited 43-year-old husband Jay Z with ‘teaching her how to be a woman’ > >
Granted she looked jaw-droppingly hot, but we knew that already.
Keeping up with the times doesn't constitute keeping up with the Kardashians.
Surely Beyonce’s level of fame and talent does not require provocative photo shoots?
Beyoncé has always been known for keeping her private life just that. Private.
But it seems that recently the 31-year-old superstar has succumbed to social networks, something she previously stood against.
In line with Kim Kardashian’s regular ‘selfies’, and Rihanna’s ‘good girl gone bad’ image, Bey seems to be following rather than setting the trend.
Her Instagram name ‘Baddiebey’ rather resembles Rihanna’s chosen name ‘Badgalriri’.
Her documentary Life Is But A Dream also stirred mixed emotions.
Although showcasing her amazing talent as a performer, while giving fans a much-wanted peek behind the scenes, some of her views were surprising.
Controversially, the Run The World (Girls) singer credited 43-year-old husband Jay Z with ‘teaching her how to be a woman’, as well revealing (a bit too much):
“If I'm scared, be scared, allow it, release it, move on. I think I need to go listen to 'Make Love to Me' and make love to my husband."
Her talent and class have always spoken way louder than any semi-clad pictures and lovemaking particulars ever will
Furthermore, in a recent interview the mother-of-one referred to herself as a ‘modern day feminist’, before explaining:
“I feel like Mrs Carter is who I am, but more bold and more fearless than I've ever been.
“It comes from knowing my purpose and really meeting myself once I saw my child. I was like, ‘OK, this is what you were born to do’. The purpose of my body became completely different.”
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I struggle to understand how someone can call themselves a ‘modern day feminist’, at the same time claiming that a man ‘taught her how to be a woman’ and her purpose on earth is to give birth.
What has always made Beyoncé different, was her dignity, self respect and mystery. Her talent and class have always spoken way louder than any semi-clad pictures and lovemaking particulars ever will.
Amazing artist, mother and wife, yes.
Superstar, always. Feminist, I’m not so sure.