While we’re all still in a daze from Beyoncé’s sultry gaze + side boob combination, additional insight on the ‘National Anthem’ crooner’s once secretive life recently hit the forefront, via additional outtakes from her February GQ cover story.

Today, Amy Wallace, author of the original feature, released bonus quotes from the Super Bowl XLVII halftime headliner, in which she revealed her take on the claims she faked her pregnancy, how her daughter Blue Ivy has increased her vulnerability, and getting that ‘old thing back’ with her fellow Destiny’s Child members.

Get into Bey’s innermost thoughts below:

On those who questioned whether her pregnancy was real:

“I felt like I kind of had to protect my mother, because when people made up the silliest rumor about me not really being pregnant. She was there when I went through all of those things. And my sister. They were very, very defensive. It’s not personal to me, and it comes along with the job, but the lack of respect—people will just go too far sometimes.”

On the lessons Blue Ivy has taught her about herself:

“When I gave birth, that was the first time I truly let go and surrendered. And it taught me how amazing that feels… Giving birth made me realize the power of being a woman. I have so much more substance in my life. And expressing that excitement and that sensuality and the connection I have with my husband—I’m a lot more comfortable with that now. I actually feel like my child introduced me to myself.”

On a Destiny’s Child reunion:

The members of Destiny’s Child “were my family, and still are my family.  Unlike solo artists that started out, my foundation is being in a group and being with other women that needed—we needed each other so much. I mean, it’s harmony.  And we were super tight.  We could walk into a room and not give each other the key and sing in perfect harmony. It gives me chills. So that union, that unity, that sisterhood, it is how I grew up.

*****

Even Bey’s outtakes are noteworthy. Werk!

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