• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
The Cut
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
Style
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Shopping
  • Design Hunting
  • New York Weddings
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • Motherhood
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Science of Us
  • Horoscopes
  • Ask Polly
Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
More
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • The Cut Shop
  • nymag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
divas
February 16, 2013

The 16 Most Un-Diva Moments of Beyoncé’s Documentary

By Charlotte Cowles

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
Photo: Parkwood Entertainment

Beyoncé’s HBO documentary, Life Is But a Dream, has been touted as an honest look at the reality behind her high-gloss, have-it-all exterior. Many of the shots are makeup-free selfies, recorded on her own computer at home or in hotel rooms. But the problem with this warts-and-all portrayal is that Beyonce has no warts. It’s like one of those “Stars Without Makeup” photo shoots in which the woman still looks better barefaced than any of us could ever hope to after hours of primping. The takeaway? By allowing us to see how flawless she is at her “worst,” most un-diva moments, Beyonce convinces us that she’s even more superhuman than we thought to begin with. Click through our slideshow of said highlights from tonight’s documentary.

View
1 / 16 Photos
The Un-Diva Moment: For the "interview" that's interspersed with other footage throughout the documentary, she wears jeans, a plain white sh... The Un-Diva Moment: For the "interview" that's interspersed with other footage throughout the documentary, she wears jeans, a plain white shirt, very little makeup, and no shoes. We even see the soles of her feet. But She's Still Beyoncé: That's a killer pedicure, and you know she didn't just toss her hair up in that bun herself. Plus, that is one very fancy sofa she's lounging on.
The Un-Diva Moment: Warming up for dance practice, breathing hard and even sweating -- well, okay, glistening. But She's Still Beyoncé... The Un-Diva Moment: Warming up for dance practice, breathing hard and even sweating -- well, okay, glistening. But She's Still Beyoncé: She can do that with her shoulders, just as a warm-up! And probably even before breakfast.
The Un-Diva Moment: Talking about the infamous "breakup" with her dad, to herself, on her computer, with no makeup and just a plain t-shirt ... The Un-Diva Moment: Talking about the infamous "breakup" with her dad, to herself, on her computer, with no makeup and just a plain t-shirt on. But She's Still Beyoncé: Those eyebrows. How do they stay like that? And what brand of lip balm does she use?
The Un-Diva Moment: 19-year-old Bey freaking out when she finds out the new Destiny's Child album, Survivor, has debuted at #1. But She's St... The Un-Diva Moment: 19-year-old Bey freaking out when she finds out the new Destiny's Child album, Survivor, has debuted at #1. But She's Still Beyoncé: That feathered hat, frosty makeup, and layered bling are wrong in all the best, early-aughts ways. And is she wearing a grill? 
The Un-Diva Moment: It's 3 a.m., and she just found out she's pregnant. But She's Still Beyoncé: She appears to be tastefully nude, s... The Un-Diva Moment: It's 3 a.m., and she just found out she's pregnant. But She's Still Beyoncé: She appears to be tastefully nude, swathed in lovely crisp white sheets.
The Un-Diva Moment: Jay-Z is recording her on a boat, with the wind blowing her hair everywhere. But She's Still Beyoncé: They're on... The Un-Diva Moment: Jay-Z is recording her on a boat, with the wind blowing her hair everywhere. But She's Still Beyoncé: They're on a boat. Probably a yacht.
The Un-Diva Moment: She's cutting her own hair. But She's Still Beyoncé: She can always get more.
The Un-Diva Moment: Performing in her mom Tina's beauty salon with the earliest Destiny's Child members. But She's Still Beyoncé: She... The Un-Diva Moment: Performing in her mom Tina's beauty salon with the earliest Destiny's Child members. But She's Still Beyoncé: She may be wearing really cheesy nineties patched jeans, but she definitely has the least embarrassing outfit of the group.
The Un-Diva Moment: Singing along to "Lovefool" in her family's kitchen. But She's Still Beyoncé: Turns out she's been doin... The Un-Diva Moment: Singing along to "Lovefool" in her family's kitchen. But She's Still Beyoncé: Turns out she's been doing that hair-flip move since childhood. Plus, her butt looks fabulous even in drawstring pajama pants.
The Un-Diva Moment: Practing her routine for "Run the World (Girls)," which she performed live at the 2011 Billboard Awards, in a hotel hall... The Un-Diva Moment: Practing her routine for "Run the World (Girls)," which she performed live at the 2011 Billboard Awards, in a hotel hallway because they're so short on time and space. But She's Still Beyoncé: Bet that place had really nice room service.
The Un-Diva Moment: She's worried about the 2011 Billboard Awards live performance, and exhausted. But She's Still Beyoncé: The whole... The Un-Diva Moment: She's worried about the 2011 Billboard Awards live performance, and exhausted. But She's Still Beyoncé: The whole shot is artfully focused on half her face. Maybe there was something remotely human (a tiny, stress-induced pimple, even) happening on the other half?
The Un-Diva Moment: It's the middle of the night, and she woke up because she felt the baby kick for the first time. But She's Still Beyonc&... The Un-Diva Moment: It's the middle of the night, and she woke up because she felt the baby kick for the first time. But She's Still Beyoncé: AHHH SHE'S SO ADORABLE AND HAPPY.
The Un-Diva Moment: Here she is, 20 weeks pregnant. She wears sweats and checks out her tummy in the mirror, just like the rest of us! But She's&... The Un-Diva Moment: Here she is, 20 weeks pregnant. She wears sweats and checks out her tummy in the mirror, just like the rest of us! But She's Still Beyoncé: Yes, that's a belly chain.
The Un-Diva Moment: Addressing the surrogacy rumors, with what appear to be Container Store tubs in the background. But She's Still Beyonc&e... The Un-Diva Moment: Addressing the surrogacy rumors, with what appear to be Container Store tubs in the background. But She's Still Beyoncé: Of course her belongings are neatly organized in Container Store tubs. They even have labels.
The Un-Diva Moment: She's eight-and-a-half months pregnant and filming herself naked. But She's Still Beyoncé: This appears to be sho... The Un-Diva Moment: She's eight-and-a-half months pregnant and filming herself naked. But She's Still Beyoncé: This appears to be shot professionally, in some sort of studio with nice lighting.
The Un-Diva Moment: She's wearing curlers in the hospital, where she's about to give birth. But She's Still Beyoncé: She's wearing cu... The Un-Diva Moment: She's wearing curlers in the hospital, where she's about to give birth. But She's Still Beyoncé: She's wearing curlers in the hospital.
1 / 16

Tags:

  • beyonce
  • beyonce knowles
  • life is but a dream
  • slideshow
  • slideshows
  • divas
  • i'm a i'm a a diva
  • fashion
  • fame
  • love and war
  • More

More Galleries

campaign trail Apr. 12, 2021
7 Women on Where They’re Finding Hope These Days  A new fashion campaign that focuses on the positive. 
fashion Mar. 15, 2021
Dramatic Wedding Gowns Inspired by Flowers  Danielle Frankel bridges the gap between bridal and fashion. 
campaign trail Jan. 28, 2021
 The Best Fashion Campaigns From Spring 2021  This season’s best from Prada, Versace, Miu Miu, and more. 
By Florence O'Connor
in memoriam Dec. 30, 2020
30 Incredible Fashion Moments From Pierre Cardin  Remembering a creative visionary. 
By Andrew Nguyen
rest in power Dec. 23, 2020
A Photo Memorial for an Iconic Model  She passed away suddenly at the age of 50 this week. 
campaign trail Nov. 18, 2020
‘Tis the Season for New Fashion Ads  See the best ones from Gucci, Prada, Versace, and more. 
By Emily Burns
nyfw spring 2021 Oct. 26, 2020
How a Great Collection Comes Alive  Christopher John Rogers launched its first-ever online shop, along with a new campaign. 
By Andrew Nguyen
campaign trail Sept. 24, 2020
See the Fashion Campaigns for Fall 2020  From Prada, Michael Kors, Celine, Louis Vuitton, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
nyfw spring 2021 Sept. 22, 2020
See the Coach Spring 2021 Collection  Worn by Megan Thee Stallion, Kate Moss, Cole Sprouse, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
fashion Sept. 16, 2020
The Stunning Awkwardness of Face Masks on the Red Carpet  Celebrities tried to make the best of a strange situation at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. 
one word one shot Sept. 15, 2020
72 Designers on Their Spring/Summer Inspirations  Just in time for Fashion Week. 
By the Cut
red carpet Sept. 8, 2020
This Red Carpet Was Totally Surreal  But also amazing. See all the looks at the Venice Film Festival. 
By Emilia Petrarca and Andrew Nguyen
in memoriam Aug. 31, 2020
Remembering Chadwick Boseman on the Red Carpet  His style was bold, risk-taking, and always impeccable. 
the wedding files Aug. 21, 2020
The Design-Minded Couple Who Didn’t Want to Try Too Hard  The bride got a wonderful surprise the morning of her wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 14, 2020
A Costa Rica Wedding During the Rainy Season  Thunder roared during the toasts. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 7, 2020
A San Francisco Wedding at a Big, Empty Pier  The bride changed into crushed-velvet pants for the disco-infused reception. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 31, 2020
An Elopement Among the Lupines in Iceland  The late afternoon was spent snapping photos near waterfalls and black beaches. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 24, 2020
A Pennsylvania Potluck for 280 People  “I looked at her for the first time and had this feeling like, You. I know you.” 
By Kaitlin Menza
milan fashion week July 22, 2020
Behind the Scenes at Gucci’s Virtual Show  Instead of models, members of the design team sported the eccentric collection. 
By Andrew Nguyen
the wedding files July 17, 2020
A Dance Party Under Puerto Rican Palm Trees  Bad Bunny blasted and pitorro flowed. 
By Kaitlin Menza
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Help
  • We’re Hiring
  • Press
  • Trademark
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Accessibility
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2021 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.