Beyonce claps back at criticism over her 'fluctuating' weight as she stuns in latest photoshoot: 'I give zero f***s'
Beyoncé recently opened up about the joys of motherhood and how she handled receiving criticism over her weight.
The 38-year-old songstress expressed in possibly one of her most candid interviews to date that after "15 years of fluctuations" she feels more "womanly and secure" than ever before. The mother-of-three showcased her style credentials in an eye-popping photoshoot with Elle UK - shot by director Melina Matsoukas - which saw her visit a local hair salon, a supermarket, as well as a laundromat.
Beyoncé was asked about varying personal and professional questions as the publication opened up the floor to the singer's dedicated "Beyhive" collection.
The star was also asked about constant comments over her "fluctuating" appearance. She and her rapper husband Jay Z share daughter Blue Ivy, 7, and two-year-old twins Sir and Rumi. "If someone told me 15 years ago that my body would go through so many changes and fluctuations, and that I would feel more womanly and secure with my curves, I would not have believed them," Beyoncé explained.
"But children and maturity have taught me to value myself beyond my physical appearance and really understand that I am more than enough no matter what stage I’m at in life," she said.
The former Destiny's Child star then stated how she wished people "focused on discovering the beauty within themselves."
"Giving zero f***s is the most liberating place to be," she passionately continued. "Also knowing true beauty is something you cannot see. I wish more people focused on discovering the beauty within themselves rather than critiquing other folks’ grills."
Beyoncé then explained how she found it "stressful balancing work and life" just like any other parent would.
"Making sure I am present for my kids - dropping Blue off at school, taking Rumi and Sir to their activities, making time for date nights with my husband, and being home in time to have dinner with my family—all while running a company can be challenging," she explained, adding that "juggling all of those roles can be stressful, but I think that’s life for any working mom."
A fan asked the "Crazy In Love" hitmaker how she managed to not "lose herself after 25 years in the game."
"The predictable rock star DNA is a myth. I believe you don’t have to accept dysfunction to be successful," Beyoncé responded. "This is not to say that I have not struggled. I have the same pain that life brings to everyone else. I try to shift the stigma that says with fame there has to be drama."
"It is how you relate to your hardships and use that to evolve," she said in conclusion. "And I try to keep real ones around me."