Beyonce

Spotlight

After a childhood spent dominating Texas talent shows, the teen, guided by her manager dad Mathew and stylist mom Tina, became a full-fledged pop phenom as part of girl group Destiny’s Child. Their second record, the eight times-platinum The Writing’s On The Wall, had everyone saying their name and won them the first Grammy. The act went on to contribute "Independent Women Part I" to the Charlie's Angels soundtrack and get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But Beyonce’s bootylicious beauty, killer dance moves and stellar voice could not be limited to trio work alone. The singer stormed screens big (Goldmember, Dreamgirls) and small (a Pepsi ad campaign and MTV’s hip-hopera Carmen), became the first black woman to win ASCAP's Pop Songwriter of the Year Award and only the second to land the coveted Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover, launched couture fashion line House Of Dereon and collaborated with future husband Jay-Z three times before going public as a couple. She cleaned up at the MTV Awards (3 trophies) and the 2004 Grammys (a record five wins) with her first solo disc, Dangerously In Love. People’s 2012 World’s Most Beautiful Woman has continued to collect kudos and break sales records with albums B’Day, I Am…Sasha Fierce and 4 and singles like “”Irreplaceable,” “Halo” and “Single Ladies.” However being mom to daughter Blue Ivy Carter, born in January 2012, is what she considers her highest honor.