Beyoncé Knowles has opened up about the difficulties of raising a family in the spotlight.
In a recent interview with GQ, the 32-time Grammy-winning artist spoke about the importance of “normalcy and privacy” when it comes to raising her three children – Blue Ivy, 12, and seven-year-old twins Rumi and Sir – with husband Jay-Z.
“One thing I’ve worked extremely hard on is making sure my kids can have as much normalcy and privacy as possible, ensuring my personal life isn’t turned into a brand,” she told the outlet, in the interview published on September 10. “It’s very easy for celebrities to turn our lives into performance art. I have made an extreme effort to stay true to my boundaries and protect myself and my family. No amount of money is worth my peace.”
The “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer explained that she builds her busy work schedule, whether it’s preparing for an international tour or recording an album, around her family. “I try to only tour when my kids are out of school,” Beyonce said. “I always dreamt of a life where I could see the world with my family and expose them to different languages, architecture, and lifestyles.”
However, the “Halo” musician admitted that anticipating her childrens’ different needs as they grow older isn’t always an easy task.
“Raising three kids isn’t easy,” Beyonce shared. “The older they get, the more they become their own individuals with unique needs, hobbies, and social lives. My twins are God-sent. Parenting constantly teaches you about yourself. It takes a lot of prayer and patience. I love it. It’s grounding and fulfilling.”
The Cécred founder also revealed that her three children “come with me everywhere I go,” such as her office after school or in the recording studio. Her kids have even visited her during dance rehearsals so often that she said “it’s natural that they would learn my choreography.”
As for her eldest daughter, who joined her mother on her Renaissance World Tour last year, Beyoncé took the opportunity to gush over her daughter’s talents. “Blue is an artist. She has great taste in music and fashion. She is a fantastic editor, painter, and actress. She has been creating characters since she was three,” she said.
She also revealed that she initially didn’t want Blue Ivy to join her onstage during the Renaissance World Tour for the song “My Power,” as well as leading a troupe of dancers during “Black Parade.”
Beyoncé said: “She’s a natural, but I did not want Blue onstage. Blue wanted it for herself. She took it seriously and she earned it. And most importantly, she had fun! We all watched her grow more and more every night before our eyes.”
The A-list couple, who were married in 2008, welcomed their first child together in January 2012. In 2017, the pair welcomed twins Rumi and Sir.
Beyoncé has previously opened up about how “challenging” it can be to balance both motherhood and her career in a 2019 interview with Elle. When asked what stresses her out the most, she explained that the “most stressful thing” in her life is “balancing work and life.”
“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,” Beyoncé said.