For me, it's about the way I carry myself and the way I treat other people. My relationship and how I feel about God and what He does for me, is something deeply personal. It's where I came from, my family, I was brought up in a religious household and that's very important to me.

I felt very maternal around eight months. And I thought I couldn't become any more until I saw the baby... But it happened during my labor because I had a very strong connection with my child. I felt like when I was having contractions, I envisioned my child pushing through a very heavy door. And I imagined this tiny infant doing all the work, so I couldn't think about my own pain... We were talking. I know it sounds crazy, but I felt a communication.

Embrace your past, but live for now.

I'm just free. And I can express my sensuality. I can express my pain, vulnerability, my strength. All of those things. Because I had a sheltered upbringing doesn't mean I haven't been a woman. I'm a woman that has had life experiences.

I am really proud that I am one of the artists that has the opportunity to be on magazine covers and to be in the movies.

I think people have an idea in their heads about entertainers[and] celebrities. I think they feel like their lives are so perfect, and it's really hard to go through painful experiences when you are in the public eye because it's hard to have closure.

I have two different sides to my personality. I decided to give my fans what they want and who they are used to who is the person in all the videos and the person in 'Crazy in Love' who is Sasha Fierce. I have someone else takes over when its time for me to work and when I'm on stage.