Beyonce graces the October 2024 cover of GQ magazine. The 43-year-old pop singer rarely gives interviews, so her fans are in for a treat.

The mom-of-three discussed a wide range of topics, including Blue Ivy taking the stage during her tour, the inspiration behind her Cowboy Carter album, and slavery.

On the connection between Cowboy Carter and her SirDavis Whiskey brand:

“The cowboy is a symbol of strength and aspiration in America. The cowboy was named after slaves who handled the cows. The word cowboy comes from those who were called boys, never given the respect they deserved. No one would dare call a Black man handling cows “Mister” or “Sir.” For me, SirDavis is a sign of earned respect. We all deserve respect, especially when we give it.”

On the lack of visuals for Cowboy Carter:

“I thought it was important that during a time where all we see is visuals, that the world can focus on the voice. The music is so rich in history and instrumentation. It takes months to digest, research, and understand. The music needed space to breathe on its own. Sometimes a visual can be a distraction from the quality of the voice and the music. The years of hard work and detail put into an album that takes over four years! The music is enough. The fans from all over the world became the visual. We all got the visual on tour. We then got more visuals from my film.”

On her children:

“Raising three kids isn’t easy. The older they get, the more they become their own individuals with unique needs, hobbies, and social lives. My twins are God-sent. Parenting constantly teaches you about yourself. It takes a lot of prayer and patience. I love it. It’s grounding and fulfilling.

My kids come with me everywhere I go. They come to my office after school, and they are in the studio with me. They are in dance rehearsals. It’s natural that they would learn my choreography.”

On Blue Ivy taking the stage during her Renaissance Tour:

“Blue is an artist. She has great taste in music and fashion. She is a fantastic editor, painter, and actress. She has been creating characters since she was three. She’s a natural, but I did not want Blue onstage. Blue wanted it for herself. She took it seriously and she earned it. And most importantly, she had fun! We all watched her grow more and more every night before our eyes.”

On her mental health and working herself too hard:

“I am proud of what I have been able to do, but I also recognize the sacrifices—mine and my family’s. There was a time when I was pushing myself to meet unrealistic deadlines, while not taking the time to enjoy the benefits of why I was working so hard. There aren’t many of us from the late ’90s who were taught to focus on mental health. Back then, I had little boundaries, and said yes to everything. But I’ve paid my dues a hundred times over. I have worked harder than anyone I know. And now I work smarter. In the end, the biggest reward is personal joy. Has what I created pushed others to think freely and believe in the impossible? If the answer to that question is yes, then that is the gift.”

On Sunday, Beyonce flaunted her micro extensions in a new video for her CÉCRED haircare line. Micro extensions are a very expensive, painstaking process. So they’d better hold up under the abuse of frequent hair washing and blow drying.

Watch the videos below.