Date of Birth: 4th September 1981

One minute rundown:  At age 7 this soon-to-be booylicious babe beat girls twice her age in a talent show by singing John Lennon’s Imagine, and set about practicing an act with friends Kelly Rowland, LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson, to take onto the talent show circuit. Helped by her manager father Mathew and stylist mother Tina, the group were signed by Columbia and became Destiny’s Child. Second album, The Writing's on the Wall, scored top hits with "Say My Name" and "Jumpin', Jumpin'," and sold more than 4 million copies. In 2000, Luckett and Roberson were replaced with Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin., although Farrah left the group shortly after. Who cares though, Beyonce’s the star anyway, right?  

Independent Woman – the title song on the Charlie’s Angels soundtrack, spent 11 weeks at number 1 and Beyonce's big screen debut in Austin Powers, Goldmember also landed her a leading-lady role in The Pink Panther opposite Steve Martin. In 2002, she of the booty hooked up with boyfriend Jay Z after the pair collaborated on her solo hits, Crazy in Love and Déjà vu. She also replaced Britney in the Pepsi commercials. Ouch.

Her solo album, Dangerously In Love saw her scoop five Grammys - the most awards ever won in one go by a single artist. Wahey! Destiny’s Child got back together in 2004 to record a final album and they even got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Just one day after her birthday, B'Day, her solo album hit number one in the charts and her single Irreplaceable was her fourth number one single as a solo artist. She won Best Contemporary R&B album at the 2007 Grammys, and later, her performance in Dreamgirls earnt her widespread acclaim as an actress, in spite of the Best Supporting Actress Award going to co-star Jennifer Hudson. Next time, Beyonce, next time...