Beyonce is definitely back to business on the latest cover of GQ magazine.
This time last year the singer had just given birth to her daughter, Blue Ivy, but as the shots from the apparently leaked photo shoot reveal, the 31-year-old looks better than ever.
Giving (chart) rivals like Rihanna or any of the young, nubile pretenders out there in pop/ R&B land a run for their money, it’s possible Beyonce may have wanted to prove she’s still got it.
Wearing a cropped baseball top that displays her taut figure to perfection, the Crazy In Love songstress’ barely there outfit is completed by red and black leopard print underwear and gold jewellery.
Online reaction to the leaked magazine cover was swift and largely positive.
According to The Daily Mail , one Twitter user wrote: “I think I’m a lesbian after seeing Beyonce’s GQ cover. Somebody throw me in a pool. I need water. I’m still trippin off Beyoncé’s GQ cover.”
Another commented : “Didn’t know Beyonce was on the cover of GQ and oh my goodness she put Rihanna to shame.”
Beyonce has a busy first half of 2013 ahead.
After spending New Year’s Eve away from husband Jay-Z at The Wynn resort complex in Las Vegas where she raised the roof in a special — and no doubt — well paid performance, the couple celebrated Blue Ivy’s first birthday on Monday.
As well as recently inking a $50 million deal with Pepsi , Beyonce is getting ready to unleash new music later this year, and as a self-directed HBO documentary will hit US small screens on February 16.
On top of all that, the Houston native has been invited to perform in the half time slot at the upcoming Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz superdome in New Orleans on February 3.
In addition to sponsoring the event, Pepsi is hosting a worldwide online contest in which fans have been asked to send in ‘Beyonce-like’ posed photographs of themselves that could be used to promote the singer’s Super Bowl appearance.
After 50 of the best ‘posers’ are chosen, they and one guest will get the chance to join Beyonce on stage on February 3.
People reports that the singer, who is a long time Obama supporter along with Jay-Z, will perform the National Anthem at the President’s second inauguration ceremony on January 21. Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor are also performing at the event.
In 2008, Beyonce told Marie Claire (UK) magazine , “There is a time limit on being a pop star, yes. 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.”
Looks like she’s managed to do both.