“She’s literally goals. For my entire life.”
That’s how my university peer describes Beyonce– and she’s not just speaking for herself. As far as American artists go, it’s difficult to think of a pop personality that has fostered such a fierce cult within our generation. As an outsider to the Beyhive, which is what the devoted fans have come to call themselves chanting, “all hail Queen Bey!”, it pushed me over the edge into heavy reflection as to why Beyonce is such an enthralling role model for the women of our society, especially the millennials.
I’m sure we’ve all taken Women’s Studies 101 here, right? Does anyone remember that one graphic that said women needed to:
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Be sexy and take care of herself at all times
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Be good at business/whatever work they do
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Be a good mother
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Exercise often to stay in shape
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Make time for their husbands/boyfriends/whateverman
All in order to be a woman? I’ve come to the conclusion that Beyonce is exactly all of these things– the ideal woman who really has it all. And that’s why she’s captured the eye of so many women. Because when doesn’t she look good? And when has she ever failed at being an artist? Have you seen how well she treats her daughter? Or how “goals” she is with Jay-Z? And I know you’ve seen her figure. If that’s not “in shape” I’m not sure what is.
After the disbanding of Destiny’s Child, Beyonce went through a phase of depression and confusion as to where her career as an artist was heading. As a result, she came up with the stage ego Sasha Fierce– the personality inside of her that gave her confidence. With her most recent album, which Kanye West so lovingly upstaged Taylor Swift and Beck for at award shows, it’s no wonder why her confidence is admirable. In other reports, she says she’s gotten rid of Sasha Fierce because she’s come to love and be comfortable with herself. It’s apparent in that album, so full of women’s empowerment and self-love. She even took it upon herself to do without promotions for her self-titled album and released it directly to iTunes and still made it to the 15 best records of the decade to this day. She didn’t need anyone’s approval or opinion and did it for herself. Part of her image comes from being the unstoppable version of Michelle and Barack Obama with Jay-Z by her side. Her public image as what they’ve called a “domestic goddess” has attracted nothing but positive attention and given a positive message to other women that find it hard to balance their work in doing what they love and spending quality time with their families. She’s given a new ideal for the traditional role of mothers and wives, not to mention the idea of marital commitment.
Forbes Magazine declared Beyonce the most influential celebrity in 2014 and, believe me, I think she has no cap on how well she can fill that title. From her charity, the #BeyGood Project, to the “Flawless” movement, to her clarification and redefinition in the word ‘feminist’ as “the person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes,” and the fact that she makes double what her husband does… She really is the embodiment of a woman who “has it all” and does one heck of a great job at it. So is it still in question as to why Beyonce is a prominent focus for our generation’s aspirations? Hardly. Once you’re at the top, it’s difficult to maintain that status. Beyonce has done that for over a decade now.
All hail Queen Bey.
With delight,Vassana Mee