In choosing Beyonce Knowles to represent his new fragrance, Emporio Armani Diamonds, designer Giorgio Armani embraced an entertainer who has capitalized on the art of being an all-American pinup.
Let’s face it, the majority of modern female pop stars rely overtly on sex appeal to build their careers, as well as whatever talent might be at their disposal (some have more than others). But Beyonce has mostly followed a much different path. She combines her apparent talent with a feline sex appeal that is reminiscent of old-fashioned pinups such as Raquel Welch and Farrah Fawcett, but updated for today’s audience.
During her Destiny’s Child period, Beyonce and her co-stars were as neatly groomed and tightly coordinated as a Motown girl group. Once she began her solo career, she memorably performed on “Today” wearing a dress that would have been at home at a garden party and that prompted host Katie Couric to remark on how wholesome the singer seemed. Now she has gone on to favor form-fitting dresses, ball gowns and mini-dresses, most of which are no more provocative than what one might see on a Miss America stage.
When she has worn a dress with a dramatically low-cut neckline, she never appears to be in danger of falling out of it. At her most decked-out moments, Beyonce has a showgirl style. And what is a showgirl but the hardest-working version of a pinup?
She’s avoided meltdowns, scandalous behavior and public flashing. She hasn’t married down, shaved her head or been to rehab to be treated for “exhaustion.”
To a great degree, Beyonce has kept the most enticing details of her personal life to herself, and she’s the better for it. A pinup should not encourage familiarity, just exude glossy perfection. And the only people who radiate perfection are those about whom little is known.
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Instant classic
Yeah, she can sing and dance and even act, but there are lots of starving artists out there who can do the same. So RedEye decided to break down the reason 25-year-old Beyonce Knowles continues to be so darn successful when her contemporaries are crashing and burning.
[ REDEYE ]13% No indecent exposures.
25% Street cred: She’s been with Jay-Z for years.
7% Family ties: she employs Mom as her stylist.
17% Ridiculously gorgeous face.
14% Knock-out curves — no eating disorders here!
21% No rehab in her foreseeable future.
3% Friend of class-act (and mentor?) Gwyneth Paltrow (right).
