Beyonce covers the new issue of Harper’s Bazaar, with a Terry Richardson photo shoot and an epic interview. Damn, Beyonce can talk your ear off. The interview is so long, Bazaar had to split it up into two different parts, which you can read here and here. I’m going to try to do some of the highlights without going overboard. First, a word about the Terry Richardson shoot – it was done in the summer, before Bey started “showing” (or before she got used to wearing a fake baby bump for attention). So that’s why there’s no bump in these photos. Okay, onto the highlights from the interview:

On revealing her bump at the VMAs: “I put a lot of thought into how I wanted to unveil it. It was important to me that I was able to do it myself… I was extremely nervous. It was the toughest red carpet I ever did. I didn’t want a crazy picture or gossip story to break the news… so I decided to say nothing and proudly show my baby bump. I felt it was more powerful to see the love and enthusiasm as opposed to saying anything.”

She’s working on a House of Dereon maternity line: “All I see now are clothes that are flattering on a pregnant woman… It’s been so exciting for me! I love figuring out designs that still make me feel edgy and sexy while pregnant. Flowy fabrics are always flattering… but I still rock my stilettos.”

Bey’s fashion inspirations: “I love Kate Moss. I think she has great style. And I always admire Victoria Beckham and Gisele [Bündchen]. Their style is modern but always classic.” Her longtime stylist Ty Hunter helps her put together ensembles even for her days off, and she and her team are considering hiring hot street-style photographer Tommy Ton to shoot behind the scenes. She’s also an online shopping junkie. “I spend too much money shopping on the Internet!” she moans.

Gwyneth speaks about their friendship: She and close friend Gwyneth Paltrow could probably talk fashion all day, but “our best times have been when we are just sitting around in sweatpants, having a glass of wine, chatting about life,” Paltrow says. “B is wise beyond her years. She has taught me the value of speaking your mind. She is clear and honest and true to herself while being respectful. She will be an incredible mother because she is so full of love and she knows who she is.” Beyoncé has already had plenty of practice with Paltrow’s children, Moses and Apple, and Solange’s son, Daniel Julez. “With my kids she is easy and fun,” Paltrow says. “They know that she is interested in them, and they can tell when a grown-up is faking.”

The timing of her pregnancy was thought out: “It was important to me that I gave myself time to focus on becoming the woman I want to be, building my empire, my relationship, and my self-worth, before I became a mother. Now God has blessed us with the ultimate.”

On Jay-Z: She and Jay-Z are a deeply committed and extremely private couple, just as happy grabbing pizza in Brooklyn as they are yachting around the Mediterranean. “We have been together since I was 20 years old,” she says. “We took our time and developed an unbreakable friendship before we got married. I admire his ability to inspire others. To me, Jay represents the American dream. Jay’s music has helped define our generation. All that he has overcome and worked to achieve gives millions hope that they can become whatever they want to be. I respect him so much; he is a great man and a great artist.”
In a rare moment of candor about their relationship, she continues: “We focused three years on our marriage and found that it brought us an even stronger bond and connection. But like anything great and successful in your life, marriage takes hard work and sacrifice. It has to be something both you and your husband deeply want. The best thing about marriage is the amount of growth you have because you can no longer hide from your fears and insecurities. There’s someone right there calling you out on your flaws and building you up when you need the support. If you are with the right person, it brings out the best version of you.”

She doesn’t care what people think: “I am finally at the stage in my life where I am not so concerned with other people’s opinions about my life decisions. It is so liberating to really know what I want, what truly makes me happy, what I will not tolerate. I have learned that it is no one else’s job to take care of me but me.”

Bey on art: “My mother has been an art collector and always taught me the value of art. She has encouraged me to invest in art since I can remember. The first artist I was truly inspired by was Vincent van Gogh. I was 17 and began doing my own paintings. I used to copy his style. When I was 20 I visited the Sistine chapel and saw Michelangelo’s work and it was one of the most spectacular experiences of my life. I then went on a tour around Europe and visited all the places Picasso and Matisse hung out. I then visited Art Basel and was exposed to all kind of contemporary artists. It got me into art that’s more abstract. Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring are two of my favorites but I appreciate so many contemporary artists. Art inspires me in so many ways. I use art as reference when I’m looking for inspiration for my performances, wardrobe or a video I might be working on. My husband and I collect all types of art from Basquiat and Warhol to Marilyn Minter.”

On FLOTUS: “She is an amazing person, inside and out. She inspires me to want to do more, to want to know more about the world and work harder to make a difference.”

[From Harper’s Bazaar – two stories]

“I was 17 and began doing my own paintings. I used to copy his style.” And she’s still copying artists and passing the stuff off as her own. But Jesus Christ, even amongst Beyonce’s must insufferable comments (the soliloquy about marriage, for instance), Gwyneth Paltrow is still WORSE. Notice Bey doesn’t say anything about Gwyneth – and she doesn’t even name Gwyneth as one of her style inspirations! HAHAHA. But Gwyneth is going to force this friendship to the bitter end: “B is wise beyond her years. She has taught me the value of speaking your mind. She is clear and honest and true to herself while being respectful. She will be an incredible mother because she is so full of love and she knows who she is.” STFU, Goop.

Photos courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar.