Teaming up with her cousin Kelly Rowland and two classmates, Beyonce formed an all-female singing group. Her father, Matthew Knowles, served as the band’s manager. The group went through some name and line-up changes before landing a record deal in 1997 with Columbia Records. Destiny’s Child soon became one of the most popular R&B acts with the release of their first self-titled album. Gaining momentum, the group scored its first No. 1 single on the pop charts with ‘Bills, Bills, Bills’ off their second album. The recording also featured another smash hit, ‘Say My Name.’
While enjoying her group’s success, Beyonce began exploring other projects. She made her acting debut in 2001 with a starring role in MTV’s Carmen: A Hip Hopera. She then co-starred with Mike Myers in the spy parody Goldmember the following year. On the musical front, Beyonce took center stage as a solo artist,, releasing her first album, Dangerously in Love, in 2003. The recording became a huge success for her, both commercially and critically. It sold millions of copies and won five Grammy Awards. On the album, Beyonce worked with a number of different artists, including Missy Elliott, Sean Paul and Jay-Z. She was rumored to be dating Jay-Z around this time, but the couple did not publicly acknowledge their relationship.
Destiny’s Child released their last studio album, Destiny Fulfilled in 2004, and officially broke up the following year. On her own, Beyonce continued to enjoy great success. Her second studio album, 2006’s B’Day featured such hits as ‘Irreplaceable’ and ‘Beautiful Liar.’ On the big screen, she starred opposite Jennifer Hudson, Jaime Foxx and Eddie Murphy in Dreamgirls. The film was adapted from the hit Broadway musical of the same name.
In 2008, Beyonce married rapper and music mogul Jay-Z in a small, private ceremony in New York City. Among the guests sighted at the wedding were Beyonce’s mother Tina Knowles, her father and manager Matthew, her sister Solange, Destiny’s Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, and friend Gwyneth Paltrow.
The newlywed continued to work as hard as ever, promoting her latest effort, I am . . . Sasha Fierce (2008). Beyonce scored two big hits off the album ‘Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)’ and ‘If I Were a Boy.’ She also returned to the big screen that year, starring as R&B legend Etta James in Cadillac Records. The following January, Beyonce sang James’ trademark song, ‘At Last,’ for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at his inaugural ball.
