Beyoncé Speaks: 'Pain Is Not Pretty'

After years of virtual radio silence with the press, Beyoncé gave a rare interview to Elle magazine. And, as with all things Bey does, she went big with it. The iconic singer opened her heart and mind to the magazine, talking about her dreams for her daughter, what it means to be her own boss and, perhaps most poignantly, the wear and tear on her soul after years of being a perfectionist.

“It’s not about perfection. It’s about purpose. We have to care about our bodies and what we put in them,” says Bey. “Women have to take the time to focus on our mental health — take time for self, for the spiritual, without feeling guilty or selfish. The world will see you the way you see you, and treat you the way you treat yourself.”

She goes on to say she hopes her own struggles will resonate with, and inspire, her fans. “Everyone experiences pain, but sometimes you need to be uncomfortable to transform,” she says. “Pain is not pretty, but I wasn’t able to hold my daughter in my arms until I experienced the pain of childbirth!”

Of course, Bey also shows off her highly-anticipated new athleisure line Ivy Park in the pages:

To read the full cover story, including Beyoncé’s description of the “emotional wi-fi” connection she has to her mother Tina Lawson, click here.

(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)