| Beyoncé - a True Star
Beyoncé . . . The name alone conjures up images of Amazonian beauty - big, bold, and larger than life - shaking her bootylicious bod at every opportunity. So when I meet this paragon of all things womanly, curves and all, I'm rather taken aback.
Firstly, she's tiny. Standing at 1.68m she's not exactly short, but it's disconcerting to be able to stand eye-to-eye with someone you've always considered supermodel tall. And while yes, those famed real-girl curves are very definitely there - she's no Ally McBeal - she also can't be considered Marilyn-voluptuous.
Secondly, she's gentle, soft-spoken, shy almost. Thirdly, she's pretty. Much prettier, and softer, than the brazenly beautiful, booty-shaking babe of her public image. I feel almost cheated.
Where is my big-voiced, big-boned, loud and proud lioness of a woman?
But then I notice her cerise satin heels with diamanté details. Breathtaking. And, I suspect, Manolos? "Yes, my Manolo Blahniks. I know, aren't they beautiful?" she giggles, automatically looking down at my feet (clad in modest, albeit funky, avocado-green Mary-Janes). "Yours are cute, too," she says softly. "Where did you get them?"
And, all of a sudden, we're just two girls in London, shoe-shopping. Our female bond has been forged in heels.
THE STAR
Five-hundred dollar Manolos aside, my new gal-pal B is dressed in a Tommy Hilfiger dress of bright blues and pinks, and she's wearing huge false eyelashes that would look like drag queen specials on anyone else.
On Beyoncé, however, the lashes frame the big, sparklingly clear eyes, which command attention from everyone. She is, after all, one of the world's biggest stars right now.
Speaking of which, the reason we're in a beautiful suite in London's Claridge's hotel - Beyoncé, Tommy Hilfiger and I - is the launch of the new Tommy Hilfiger fragrance, True Star, for which 23-year-old Beyoncé is the face. It's ironic considering that she's been widely reported to be allergic to fragrance.
But her star quality is undeniable, shyness, jetlag and all (she flew into London just a few hours before our Glamour exclusive); her charisma and relentless work ethic make her perfect for the job Tommy has given her - something which the world-famous designer realised the minute he met her at a private performance when she was just 16. "I knew back then that she was going to be something spectacular," he tells me.
But what does she think? Who is the biggest star in the world? "I don't know if I can say one person is the greatest star . . . Of course, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye . . . Other true stars who inspire me daily are my mother and my friends."
THE STYLE
Beyoncé's mom comes up a lot in conversation. Aside from the obvious mother-daughter connection, Tina Knowles is also responsible for creating a lot of her daughter's looks. In fact, Beyoncé's favourite outfit to date is one of Tina's designs. "It was a gold dress for the Grammys. It made me feel like such a star."
So what are her ultimate star-style tips for special moments? "The number one thing is to find something that's best for your body type. Usually that means finding a look and sticking with it, whether it's 50s style or inspired by a certain star. But more than anything else, to feel like a true star, you need to feel you look your best, and feel good about yourself.
"Also, when you're happy you look good. Wherever you are, if you are happy, people can see that about you. That always shines through."
Easy enough, I suppose, when you have stylists and make-up artists at your beck and call. Does such a thing as a bad-hair day exist in Beyoncé's world? She laughs, "I have plenty of them! But if I'm having a bad-hair day, I've learnt this brilliant trick: A really neat, chic bun is always great. Then add a little blush, a little mascara, a lot of lipgloss, and wear something really nice to take attention off of your hair."
The girl has very definite ideas about her own style.
No stylist required. Who then, are her ultimate glamour girls . . . The best red carpet dressers? "The obvious one for any girl is Sarah Jessica Parker. I also think Jennifer Lopez, Diana Ross and Cher are really great."
I'm sensing a pattern here: she may come across a little shy, but when it comes to dressing her style is anything but . . . The flashier, the more attention-grabbing, the better. You go, girl.
THE BRUSH-OFF
Having covered the women in her life, I'm about to tackle the notoriously private-about-her-love-life Beyoncé about affairs of the heart. What star qualities does she look for in a man?
"Somebody confident. Somebody with a sense of humour, charm. He must have his own success, and he must be supportive of mine.
And he's got to be someone with goals, ambition, drive. And, the most important thing, it's got to be someone who's my friend."
And you've found that? "We don't talk about that . . ." Humph. Foiled!
Luckily, though, Tommy hasn't been paying attention and not five minutes later makes reference to Jay-Z, Beyoncé's beau.
We're chatting about giftwrapping as Beyoncé gleefully rips open a present from Aramis SA - a framed collage of her and our own True Star, Madiba - when Tommy pipes up, chortling at his own joke: "Did you say rapper? Jay-Z's the most famous (w)rapper I know!"
At which Beyoncé sends a sidelong glance my way, blushes, then giggles girlishly, seemingly not at all concerned that the game is up, her man outed. Still, she's not about to share any more.
THE SA LOVE STORY
Having been fobbed off on two counts, I'm not really feeling the love, Beyoncé. Come on. Give me something good to take home with me?
"Well, I really do love South Africa. I mean, I really love it. My experience of South Africa was life-changing. I felt like I was home, and I saw myself in a lot of people. Their spirits were the most beautiful of any place I've been to. It was amazing.
"I can't wait to go back. I want to go every year."
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