Trediz’s Weblog

Everyone knows that Beyonce Knowles is a musical superstar.  She burst onto the scene in 1997 with Destiny’s Child, and has proved she has what it takes to be a solo artist.  Beyonce has had numerous hit singles such as, “Irreplaceable,” “Crazy in Love,” “Baby Boy” and “Check on it.”  Like other musicians who have reached superstardom, Beyonce has also begun to build an empire.  She has a clothing line “House of Dereon” which she helps design with her mother, Tina Knowles.  She also has numerous endorsement deals with L’Oreal, Emporio Armani and Samsung.

Beyonce has also branched out into acting.  She made her acting debut in MTV’s 2001 musical, “Carmen:  A Hip Hopera.”  Since then, she has appeared in numerous films such as “Austin Powers in Goldmember,” “The Pink Panther” and “Dreamgirls.”  All of her movie roles have had similar musical themes; where she plays a singer.  Knowles mentioned that “Dreamgirls” was her chance to prove that she was an “actress.”  Being a huge Beyonce fan, I watched “Dreamgirls” and thought that she did a good job.  However it was reminiscent of her other musically inclined roles.  She had a few more dramatic parts but other than that, it was her typical singing role. 

Recently, Knowles was cast in two new movies.   Another musical “Cadillac Records” where she will portray famed jazz legend, Etta James; and a thriller “Obsessed.”  Beyonce signing up to star in “Cadillac Records” was not a surprise, since it involves a musical element.  But Knowles signing up to do a thriller were there would be no singing or dance numbers was a pleasant surprise.  I think that this was a smart PR move for Beyonce, because she will be able to show off her acting skills.  Until now she has not had a role were she is just acting.

Knowles has always said that she wants to be taken serious as an actress and I think she is on the right track with her role in “Obsessed.”  This role will hopefully open her up to a new market.  Producers and movie studios will be able to see that she can hold her own on screen without elaborate dance sequences and musical numbers, just raw acting.