Beyoncé Explains Why She Disappears from the Public Eye Between Eras: 'I Create at My Own Pace'

Beyoncé has become known as one of music's most elusive stars.

The 32-time Grammy winner — who rarely gives interviews — spoke to GQ for the magazine's latest cover story about why she opts to retreat from the public eye in between promotional cycles for new projects.

"I create at my own pace, on things that I hope will touch other people," said Beyoncé, 43. "I hope my work encourages people to look within themselves and come to terms with their own creativity, strength, and resilience."

When working on her various artistic ventures, the "Texas Hold 'Em' singer's major focuses are "storytelling, growth and quality," she told the outlet.

"I'm not focused on perfectionism," added Beyoncé. "I focus on evolution, innovation, and shifting perception."

Her latest album and newly launched Sir Davis whisky have been no exception. "Working on the music for Cowboy Carter and launching this exciting new project [feels] nothing like prison, nor a burden," she said.

"In fact, I only work on what liberates me. It is fame that can at times feel like prison," continued Beyoncé. "So, when you don’t see me on red carpets, and when I disappear until I have art to share, that’s why."

Before 2022's Renaissance, the album that preceded 2024's Cowboy Carter in an ongoing trilogy, the Destiny's Child alum hadn't released a brand-new solo album since 2016's Lemonade.

In the interim, she held fans over with 2018's Everything Is Love alongside husband JAY-Z as well as the highly collaborative soundtrack album The Lion King: The Gift in 2019 — but fans weren't sure when they'd get a true Beyoncé album.

Now, she's revealed more information about the process. "I started Cowboy Carter almost five years ago. Pay close attention to my age in the lyrics of '16 Carriages,'" she said, referencing the opening track's lyric: "It's been thirty-eight summers, and I'm not in my bed."

Beyoncé previously revealed she started working on Cowboy Carter before Renaissance in a press release issued alongside the country project.

"It’s been really great to have the time and the grace to be able to take my time with it," she said. "I was initially going to put ‘Cowboy Carter’ out first, but with the pandemic, there was too much heaviness in the world. We wanted to dance. We deserved to dance. But I had to trust God’s timing."