This is Beyoncé as you’ve never seen her before.
Emotional and deeply revealing, Beyoncé’s new visual album Lemonade offers fans a rare insight into the superstar’s very private world. Behind closed doors, the 34-year-old mother appears to be just like any other wife dealing with issues of infidelity, as she goes through the 11 grieving stages of separation.
How the Texas-born star could top the release of her hugely successful 2013 self-titled, surprise visual album was something even her fans questioned. But Beyoncé pushed the envelope even further with Lemonade, which is the first feature film of its kind.
Here we take an in-depth look at Lemonade, from queen Bey’s all-star crew to her fiercely fashionable wardrobe:
What is the film about?
Lemonade tells the story of the 11 stages of grief as Beyoncé comes to terms with her husband’s infidelity, the couple’s now rumoured separation (as referenced in ‘Don’t Hurt Yourself’) and reconciliation.
Why is it called Lemonade?
The notoriously private star shares some sweet home videos throughout the film, including a video of Jay Z’s grandmother Hattie giving a speech at her 90th birthday, saying: “I had my ups and downs, but I always find the inner strength to cool myself off. I was served lemons, but I made lemonade.”
How do the 11 chapters work?
The film is split up into 11 chapters, which has a prelude of Beyoncé making several poignant statements about each stage of grief she is going through many of which are adapted from the works of 27-year-old poet Warsan Shire.
Will we see more home videos?
There is also footage of Jay and Bey getting their matching XV (four) tattoos, eating cake at their 2008 nuptials, a video of Jay playing with Blue Ivy, as well as a young Beyoncé at home with her dad Mathew. This shot cuts to a similarly special moment with Mathew with his granddaughter Blue Ivy.
So is Rachel Roy really “Becky with the good hair”?
There has been a huge buzz around many of the lyrics throughout the album, most notably “You better call Becky with the good hair,” who is rumoured to be New York fashion designer Rachel Roy. Roy fanned the flames after she posted an image of Instagram with the caption “Good hair don’t care, but we will take good lighting, for selfies, or self truths, always. Live in the light #nodramaqueens”. Roy has since deleted the image after being viciously attacked online and has now cancelled a scheduled event due to a ‘personal emergency’.
What superstar cameos will we see?
From Serena Williams twerking in ‘Sorry’ to cameos from singer Zendaya, model Winnie Harlow, Hunger Games star Amandla Stenberg and 14-year-old Academy Award nominee Quvenzhané Wallis, Lemonade is full of strong, independent and influential African-American women. However, most the most surprising cameo in the film is Jay Z, who features in the music video ‘Sandcastles,’ a song about not being able to keep promises. Originally thought to be about the couple’s reconciliation, some fans have been left wondering if this is the couple saying their final goodbye.
Tell us more about Bey’s fierce fashion moments…
Beyoncé’s superstar stylist Marni (aka the woman behind Formation’s epic Gucci bodysuits) worked her magic once again in Lemonade, with a mix of African-American 1900s-inspired pieces, featuring epic lace corsets, a to-die-for canary yellow Roberto Cavalli gown in ‘Hold Up’ and plenty of athleisure wear from Ivy Park and Yeezy. Lemonade is definitely a fashion feast for the eyes.
Who else is on the album?
Beyonce called upon many familiar names to collaborate on her sixth studio album including The Weekend in ‘6 Inch’, Jack White in ‘Don’t Hurt Yourself’, James Blake in ‘Forward’ and Kendrick Lamar in ‘Freedom’.
