Ten Things You Never Knew About Beyoncé

Is there anything Beyoncé Knowles can’t do? She writes and produces her own songs, runs her own fashion label and, every time she opens her mouth, causes Whitney to rue the day she ever met Bobby Brown. OK, her acting skills won't have Nicole Kidman quivering in her Louboutins, but she’s still achieved an unfathomable amount for a 26-year-old. But how much do you know about music's most ‘Irreplaceable’ star, pop's most ‘Bootylicious’ bottom-wiggler, one of the world’s most ‘Independent women’...? Read on to find out more.

1. Beyoncé was named in tribute to her mother's maiden name, Beyincé.

2. Beyoncé enjoyed a privileged upbringing. “I grew up in a very nice house in Houston, went to private school all my life and I've never even been to the 'hood,” she recalls. “Not that there's anything wrong with the 'hood…”

3. Beyoncé’s nicknames are Ju Ju, Moth and Bee. To be honest, if we ever got to meet her, we’d probably just call her ‘Ma’am’.

4. An early incarnation of Destiny’s Child – then called Girl’s Tyme – appeared on US TV talent show Star Search. Shockingly, they didn’t win.

5. Beyoncé is allergic to perfume. The three scents she endorses – True Star, True Star Gold and Emporio Armani Diamonds – have been chemically altered to ensure La Knowles doesn’t suffer a reaction.

6. Is Beyoncé as bootylicious as she appears? “People expect me to be a diva and be really obsessed with my appearance, but I couldn't care less,” she admits. “I would literally sleep in my make-up rather than go through that all the time.” Eew! Doesn't she know that's bad for her skin?

7. When it comes to dating, Beyoncé’s an old fashioned gal. “If he invited you out, he's got to pay,” she insists. Good job Jay-Z’s worth an estimated $550 million, isn’t it?

8. And he’s not afraid to spend it. The rap mogul bought Beyoncé a 1959 Rolls Royce convertible worth $1 million for her 25th birthday.

9. Beyoncé owns a cat called Master P.

10. What does Beyoncé look for in a man? “You know what, I'm very attracted to someone who makes me laugh and is that charming,” she reveals. “Really, I could be charmed by anyone. I'm just a sucker for somebody that is charming.” Guys - it's time to learn some manners.