Beyonce Knowles, one of the most beautiful and famous music and film stars in the world, arrived amid intense excitement at the incredibly opulent Alhambra Palace, 1240 W. Randolph, on Aug. 18, where she socialized with dozens of friends and special fans in the luxurious VIP room hidden away in the south corner of the dramatic tiered balcony.
Hundreds of gorgeous people socialized in the Alhambra’s exotic lounge, and a thousand more dined, drank and danced below the Alhambra’s gigantic star-shaped fixture as they awaited a glimpse of their idol.
Knowles truly is as breathtaking in person as she is in her videos and on the screen in Dreamgirls, and I was truly thrilled when she posed for me.
Beyonce Giselle Knowles was born Sept. 4, 1981, in Houston, Texas. She began performing at the age of seven and the little girl became a soloist in her church’s choir. In 1997, she became the founder, lead singer and chief songwriter for Destiny’s Child. They sold over 33 million albums, which made them the best-selling female group of all time while winning dozens of awards and three Grammys. In 2001, Beyonce became the very first African-American woman to win the ASCAP Pop Songwriter of the Year Award, and the second woman to ever receive the honor. In 2003, she began her solo career, and was the best selling female artist of that year, winning a record-tying five Grammy Awards.
Knowles has also appeared in several Hollywood films, including Austin Power’s Goldmember (2002), The Fighting Temptations (2003), The Pink Panther (2006) and Dreamgirls (2006).
Photo of Dr. Amer Rustom and Beyonce Knowles at the Alhambra Palace, Chicago, on Aug. 18 by Steve Starr
Steve Starr is the author of Picture Perfect-Art Deco Photo Frames 1926-1946, published by Rizzoli International Publications. A photographer, designer and an artist, he is the owner of Steve Starr Studios, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2007. Phone 773-252-5171 for further information.
Photo of Steve Starr in Chicago, Sept. 2, 2006, by Patrick Hipskind