This Retro Beyoncé Interview Proves That She's Had a Massive Plan This Whole Time
Bey's been playing the long game.

When you think about Beyoncé, the words "icon" and "mogul" easily come to mind. Also "flawless" and "PRAISE," but we digress. The star's transition from pop star to icon has been relatively seamless, but behind that seamlessness lies an astute intentionality. Bey had her world domination planned AF, and a throwback interview from 2008 makes it abundantly clear just how much she thought about her celebrity.
"There is a time limit on being a pop star, yes," Beyoncé told Marie Claire U.K. eight years ago. "Being a legend, an icon? Absolutely not. I'm over being a pop star. I don't wanna be a hot girl—I wanna be iconic. And I feel like I've accomplished a lot. I feel like I'm highly respected, which is more important than any award or any amount of records. And I feel like there comes a point when being a pop star is not enough."
Goals = realized, amirite?
In the same interview, Beyoncé touched on the desire to use her platform as a means to support women of color: "I think I'm opening doors for more black women, just like Halle Berry and Diana Ross opened doors for me."
Bey's one of the most powerful celebrity voices in the Black Lives Matter movement, so yeah, she called it. Side note: it appears as though Beyoncé can predict the future, so plan accordingly.
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Mehera Bonner is a celebrity and entertainment news writer who enjoys Bravo and Antiques Roadshow with equal enthusiasm. She was previously entertainment editor at Marie Claire and has covered pop culture for over a decade.
-
Blake Lively Just Found the Kitschiest Chanel Bag of All Time
She's back in method dressing business.
By Kelsey Stiegman
-
Underrated New Balance Sneakers Are Priyanka Chopra's Athleisure Hero
They're the star of her latest look.
By Kelsey Stiegman
-
Travis Kelce's Mom Reportedly "Liked" a Comment About His Future as a Dad
...and then removed it.
By Lia Beck
-
Beyoncé's Mom Tina Knowles Speaks Out After Kanye's Attack on Her Grandchildren
Her "corny joke" speaks volumes.
By Lia Beck
-
King Charles Says Beyoncé Is "So Exceptional" and "Incomparable" on His New Apple Music Broadcast
Welcome to the Beyhive, Your Majesty.
By Amy Mackelden
-
Beyoncé Shares 'Cowboy Carter' Tour Dates After Revealing She "Forgot to Thank" Someone Important at the Grammys
"She's at home watching."
By Amy Mackelden
-
Tina Knowles Defended Beyoncé Against Trolls After Her Christmas Day NFL Performance
"It is mind-boggling to me that you would take your precious Christmas day and watch a performance of someone you hate and you don’t think has talent so that you can go talk ish about it later," Knowles wrote on Instagram.
By Kayleigh Roberts
-
Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling Introduce the "Newest Member" of Their Family
"I'm crazy about her and excited to share life."
By Amy Mackelden
-
Jennifer Garner Is Reportedly Ready to Cut Ties With Jennifer Lopez, Unless Their Kids Are Involved
"Her friends feel she shouldn't have allowed herself to get so involved."
By Amy Mackelden
-
Billy Ray Cyrus Calls Out CMAs for Snubbing Beyoncé's "Brilliant" Album
He's calling for more inclusivity.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Beyoncé Is Performing a Halftime Show on Christmas Day in Her Hometown
Ahem, merry Christmas to all of us.
By Iris Goldsztajn