Name: Beyoncé
Industry: Music
Title: Recording artist
Twitter: @Beyonce
What didn’t she do this year? Beyoncé is a one-woman force of nature, and after spending much of 2012 adjusting to motherhood, she came roaring back into the spotlight in 2013. She kicked off the year singing at the inauguration ceremony for President Barack Obama, and followed that moment with an explosive performance during halftime of the Super Bowl, which also served as an unexpected reunion with her old mates in Destiny’s Child. An HBO documentary followed, which was one of the most-watched events on cable television. Beyoncé launched the Mrs. Carter World Tour in the spring of 2013.
Of course, Beyoncé has been a famous entertainer since before she was old enough to vote. The singer got her start alongside Destiny’s Child in their native Houston, where, under the watchful eye of her father-manager, Mathew Knowles, she participated in area talent shows.
She closed out the year by releasing an innovative surprise album, complete with music videos for each track. The self-titled project sold a million copies in less than 48 hours.
She is quoted as having said: ““Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are.”
She inked a $50 million deal to endorse Pepsi in late 2012, a deal that became the most talked-about celebrity endorsement of the year. She also released The Mrs. Carter Show Limited Edition version of her signature fragrance Heat in summer 2013. With sales of over $400 million, the editions have become the best-selling celebrity fragrance in the world. She also partnered with Gucci on the “Chime for Change” campaign that focuses on celebrating female empowerment.
