10 Things You Never Knew About Beyoncé Until Now

Beyoncé's rare cover story with Elle magazine for its May 2016 issue is a wonder. For one, my queen and yours discloses a lot of ~*brand new information*~. Secondly, it's one of the first actual interviews she's given in as many years as the world has been without a new Beyoncé album. Here's what the Beyhive learned today: 

1. Her dance rehearsals start at 5 a.m.

2. She runs a tight circle of dancers: "Surrounded by a trio of dancers who've been backing her up for years, she rehearses, for the benefit of the camera, a slo-mo version of dance sequences that we later learn are part of 'Formation'."

3. She's got her own music label and will soon be rolling out a lineup of fresh, young artists.

4. Topshop is the one of the few places Beyoncé can shop by herself: "It makes me feel like a teenager. Whenever I was in London, it was like a ritual for me—I'd put my hat down low and have a good time getting lost in clothes".

5. She is always prepared for a meeting and showed up to her Topshop presentation for Ivy Park with a mission statement and marketing strategy.

6. She interviews staff—including designers for Ivy Park— for months.

7. She rarely asks for permission: "Having the power to make every final decision and being accountable for them is definitely a burden and a blessing. To me, power is making things happen without asking for permission. It's affecting the way people perceive themselves and the world around them. It's making people stand up with pride."  

8. Tina Knowles sends the best texts ("the most powerful prayers") that arrive at just the right time: "I'm tapped into her emotional Wi-Fi."

9. Destiny's Child label, Columbia, didn't have faith in the group in the beginning: "It ended up being the best thing."

10. She can tell you all the gory details about childbirth if you want: "Pain is not pretty, but I wasn't able to hold my daughter in my arms until I experienced the pain of childbirth!"