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Table ofFor teachers'inspection ONLYContents4CHAPTER81620241A Powerful PerformanceCHAPTER 2Starting Out ShyCHAPTER 3Fame Comes CallingCHAPTER 4Flying SoloCHAPTER 5Shining StarGlossaryRead MoreInternet SitesIndex30313132

For teachers'inspection ONLYCHAPTER 1A PowerfulPerformanceFlash back to January 20, 2009. PresidentBarack Obama prepared to take office. On thisday, one of the most memorable campaignscame to a close with a star-studded celebrationin Washington, D.C. At the center of the eventwas Beyoncé Knowles. She had been asked byPresident Obama to sing Etta James’s song“At Last” at the Neighborhood Ball.After being introduced by Oscar winnerDenzel Washington, Beyoncé took the stagein an elegant Armani Prive gown. As Beyoncésang the classic tune, the president and firstlady danced nearby. Overcome by emotion,Beyoncé fought back tears as she sang for thenew president. At the end of the song, Beyoncéblew a kiss to the first couple.Beyoncé said that singingfor President Obama was thebest moment of her career.4 5

This wasn’t Beyoncé’s first presidentialperformance. In 2001, she sang for PresidentGeorge W. Bush’s inauguration as part of Destiny’sChild. But singing at Obama’s inauguration wasespecially rewarding for Beyoncé. She had spentmonths before the election traveling with her husband,Jay-Z, to promote Obama’s campaign. She evenpostponed a performance in Japan to be in the UnitedStates on election night. And now she was singing forthe nation’s first black president. Not too shabbyfor a young Texan girl who started out singingand dancing in her backyard.Beyoncé sang “America theBeautiful” for Obama’s inauguralcelebration at the Lincoln Memorial.Tina Knowles (left) has designedmany of Beyoncé’s outfits.For teachers'inspection ONLYDesigner DudsBesides making catchy music,Beyoncé is also known for hereye-catching fashion choices.She gets this passion for fashionfrom her mom, Tina.A costume designer and stylist,Tina has been outfitting Beyoncésince her days in Destiny’s Child.Tina works hard to make sureBeyoncé stands out.In 2004, Beyoncé and her momjoined forces to design a clothingline. The clothes combine a modernflair with a vintage style. They calledthe clothing line House of Deréonafter Tina’s mom, Agnes Deréon.In 2006, House of Deréon becamea sister act when Beyoncé’s youngersister, Solange, came on board todesign a junior line.“We wanted to take elementsfrom my grandmother’s legacy— the beaded lace, lush colors,fine fabrics — and mix themwith clothes from my mother’sgeneration and my generation.”— Beyoncé told Ebony magazine in 2005.inauguration — the ceremony in which the president is installed in office67

CHAPTER 2StartingOut ShyFor teachers'inspection ONLYBefore Beyoncé made it big, she was just a shygirl growing up in Houston, Texas. On September 4,1981, Beyoncé Giselle Knowles was born to Tina andMathew Knowles.Many people wonder how Beyoncé’s parentschose her unique name. Beyoncé was chosen in honorof Tina Knowles’ maiden name, Beyince. AlthoughBeyoncé didn’t always appreciate her special name,she has grown to love it.Both Tina and Mathew had very successful jobs.Tina owned one of the largest hair salons in Houston.Mathew was a top salesman at Xerox. ThoughBeyoncé’s parents were career-oriented, their mainfocus was on family. In 1986, Tina and Mathewwelcomed another daughter, Solange. Solange wouldgrow up to be a performer just like her big sis.maiden name — the last name that a married womanused before she was marriedBeyoncé and her youngersister, Solange (left), havealways been close.8 9