'Carmen: A Hip Hopera' - This was her first film, this back in 2001. Produced by MTV (for TV) and directed by Robert Townsend, the film is a mixture of a drama and a musical. It tells the story of Carmen Brown (Beyoncé), an aspiring actor who encounters new problems in her life after meeting police officer Sgt. Hill (Mekhi Phifer).

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'Dreamgirls' - Of all the films Bey's participated in, this one garnered the most critical acclaim. The film tells the story of the group The Dreamettes, who were very successful in the '60s and '70s, and discusses the difficulties of show business. Beyoncé got her first nomination for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for this role.

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'Obsessed' -

The thriller directed by Steve Shill tells the story of Derek Charles (Idris Elba), a financial consultant married to Sharon (Beyoncé). He has the perfect life until he gets involved with Lisa (Ali Larter), who is capable of ruining everything for Derek.

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'Pink Panther' -

In the film, Beyoncé plays Xania, the girlfriend of the French soccer coach who is found dead at a game. The movie focuses on the search for the Pink Panther, a diamond that belonged to the coach.

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'Austin Powers in Goldmember' -

'Austin Powers in Goldmember' (2002) was Bey's first big movie. She had a major role in the comedy as Foxxy Cleopatra.

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'The Fighting Temptations' -

She starred opposite Cuba Gooding Jr. in this 2003 flick.

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'The Lion King' -

A queen amongst us mere mortals, she voiced a future queen, Nala, in the 2019 adaptation of Disney's 'The Lion King.'

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‘Black Is King’ -

In 2020, she released a visual album called 'Black Is King,' based on the music off of 'The Lion King: The Gift,' Bey’s album which was inspired by Disney’s 2019 adaptation of 'The Lion King,' which starred Beyoncé as the voice of Nala. The artist's production company calls 'Black Is King' a "celebratory memoir for the world on the black experience.”

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Record for most Grammys won by any female artist and any singer ever -

Beyoncé went into the 2021 Grammys with nine nominations, the most of any artist for the night, and she left after breaking the record for the most Grammys won by any female artist, as well as any singer ever, with a whopping 28 awards to her name. She started her streak alongside her nine-year-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter as they won Best Music Video for 'Brown Skin Girl.' Then Beyoncé and fellow Houston native Megan Thee Stallion made history as the first pair of women to ever win Best Rap Performance with the remix of Megan Thee Stallion's 'Savage,' which also earned Best Rap Song. Then finally it was Beyoncé's win for Best R&B Performance for 'Black Parade' that cemented her, yet again, in history.

Beyoncé's road to pop culture royalty

Beyoncé has just dropped her new single 'Be Alive'

12/11/21 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Retrospective

Beyoncé is likely the most well-known singer around the world, and she's one of the few stars who has achieved this legacy through an almost unbelievably clean, uphill trajectory. It seems with each project or performance she outdoes herself, and at this point she really is her only competition at the top. Even in 2021 she broke the record for the most Grammys won by any female artist, as well as any singer ever, with a whopping 28 awards to her name. And she's not even close to being done.

She decided to lend her talents to the film industry after a screening of the inspiring new Will Smith movie, 'King Richard.' Smith stars as Richard Williams, the father of star tennis players Venus and Serena Williams. It tells the story of their unusual start in the world of tennis. Beyoncé reportedly offered to provide a song for the soundtrack after watching the movie, and has now released her new single 'Be Alive.' The empowering anthem is the perfect match for a movie the documents the strength of two young girls finding success in a world that was slow to accept them. “The marriage of a movie and a song is a kind of magic that’s unmatched in entertainment,” Smith said in an interview. “I was so happy when Beyoncé called.”

To celebrate this milestone year when Queen Bey turns 40, why not read some interesting facts about Beyoncé's story so far? From her style inspiration to her favorite film, once you're done here you may as well be a part of the Beyhive (if you aren't already).