Beyoncé brought movie star glamour to the premiere of her co-directed film Life Is But A Dream at the Ziegfield Theater in Manhattan, New York last night.
Back from a Grammy Awards appearance — and win — in Los Angeles to what is now her home turf, the singer wore a floor length, sequin strewn, champagne Elie Saab gown, cut with a daring, sheer front. A poker straight blond hairstyle completed the high wattage look.
Along with other guests, Beyoncé was joined at the screening by her mother and sister, Tina and Solange Knowles; Ed Burke, her personal videographer and co-director of the documentary, husband Jay-Z; and TV host Oprah Winfrey who interviewed the singer earlier that day.
Speaking to Access Hollywood at the press heavy event, Beyoncé said Life Is But A Dream was an opportunity to consciously shed some of her 16-year mystique.
“Mystique is very important… it doesn’t matter if you’re a celebrity — just as a woman — I think it’s important,” said the singer. “But, at the same time, I felt like it was time for me to share my story because I’ve been through so much and I have so much to celebrate, so much to share. And, I’ve always directed these little movies and now I have directed a film for HBO and I’m so proud.”
The 31-year-old admitted to being “nervous” about the screening having only seen the documentary with her mother and husband but said making the film was “liberating and freeing.”
The Grammy Award winning artist told Access she was still coming down to earth after her acclaimed halftime show at the Super Bowl, adding that the “movie has really been my therapy, I’ve healed from so many wounds.”
Speaking about her daughter Blue Ivy, who featured in the documentary even before her birth, Beyoncé told reporters, “I hope that she will see all of the beautiful times [and] all the tough times that led up to her being here…. I’m hoping that… it can comfort her and inspire her in her life when she needs it.”
Despite some critics calling even the idea of the documentary little more than a vanity project , some difficult topics were addressed.
According to Yahoo Canada Music , subjects covered in the 90 minute film include why Beyoncé ended her business relationship with her father Mathew Knowles in 2011, her miscarriage, self-managing, and dealing with ludicrous “fake pregnancy” rumors.
On Tuesday, the “Halo” singer, who is busy prepping her hotly anticipated new album , sat down with Winfrey for an interview before Life Is But A Dream premiered.
Considering that Winfrey’s last one-on-one with Beyoncé was in 2008, it’s perhaps not surprising that the 58-year-old host seemed so excited before they met.
Tweeting a step-by-step report of her journey to meet her guest; from deciding what to wear, to the view from the plane, Winfrey later posted a picture of the pair sitting on a sofa.
“Did we have fun or what?” Winfrey tweeted at the end of the friendly meet.
If you’re a Beyoncé fan, you’ll know the last few months have seen the singer get up close and personal with her audience in a much more direct way than previous years.
Although the “Queen Bey” construct is still very much intact, recently the singer has given intimate interviews , shared candid photos, and increased her online presence. This weekend promises a lot more.
On February 16 , Oprah’s Next Chapter special with Beyoncé airs on OWN at 8 pm ET, then an hour later HBO will screen Life Is But A Dream at 9 pm ET.
Do you think the documentary sounds like it really will be a game changer, and will you be tuning in on Saturday to find out?