Beyoncé Celebrates Her Body & Natural Beauty In Historic ‘Vogue’ Shoot: 11 Pics

Mike Wass | August 6, 2018 1:30 pm
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Beyoncé has been breaking the rules since that digital drop in December, 2013 and her historic Vogue shoot is no different. The first cover shot by an African American, the brilliant Tyler Mitchell, in the fashion bible’s 126-year existence celebrates the superstar’s natural beauty and curves. “I was 218 pounds the day I gave birth to Rumi and Sir. I was swollen from toxemia and had been on bed rest for over a month,” Queen Bey explains. “My health and my babies’ health were in danger, so I had an emergency C-section.”

“I needed time to heal, to recover. During my recovery, I gave myself self-love and self-care, and I embraced being curvier. I accepted what my body wanted to be… I think it’s important for women and men to see and appreciate the beauty in their natural bodies. That’s why I stripped away the wigs and hair extensions and used little makeup for this shoot.” She also acknowledges that appearing on the cover of Vogue’s hallowed September issue on her own terms is paving the way for other artists of color.

“It’s important to me that I help open doors for younger artists,” Beyoncé explains. “There are so many cultural and societal barriers to entry that I like to do what I can to level the playing field, to present a different point of view for people who may feel like their voices don’t matter.” The 36-year-old also touches on her marriage and heritage. “I come from a lineage of broken male-female relationships, abuse of power, and mistrust,” she says. “I researched my ancestry recently and learned that I come from a slave owner who fell in love with and married a slave. I had to process that revelation over time.”

Click through Bey’s stunning shoot up top and read her full statement here.

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