Beyoncé covers British Vogue in Ivy Park x Adidas Drip 2 collection

Singer’s covers were shot by 21-year-old Kennedi Carter

Beyoncé is British Vogue’s December 2020 cover star (Kennedi Carter / Vogue)

Beyoncé has opened up about life amid the pandemic and her decision to focus on her joy in a new interview as the cover star for British Vogue’s December 2020 issue.

For the issue’s three separate covers, the singer was photographed by 21-year-old Kennedi Carter - the youngest photographer to shoot a British Vogue cover in the magazine’s 104-year history.

On one of the covers, the 39-year-old is dressed in a lime green Ivy Park catsuit and bucket hat from her Drip 2 collection with Adidas, which was released Thursday, while another cover sees Beyoncé wearing a sheer black Mugler bodysuit.

For the third cover, the Lion King star donned a black and red ruffled Alexander McQueen jacket, paired with Atsuko Kudo Couture Latex pants.

During the interview, which took place with British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, the Ivy Park founder reflected on how 2020 has changed her as a person.

“It would be difficult to experience life in a pandemic and the current social unrest and not be changed,” she said. “I have learnt that my voice is clearer when I am still. I truly cherish this time with my family, and my new goal is to slow down and shed stressful things from my life.

“I came into the music industry at 15 years old and grew up with the world watching, and I have put out projects non-stop. I released Lemonade during the Formation world tour, gave birth to twins, performed at Coachella, directed Homecoming, went on another world tour with Jay, then [directed film] Black Is King, all back to back. It’s been heavy and hectic.

“I’ve spent a lot of time focusing on building my legacy and representing my culture the best way I know how. Now, I’ve decided to give myself permission to focus on my joy."

The mother-of-three, who shares children Blue Ivy, eight, and twins Rumi and Sir, three, with Jay Z, also discussed the impact of motherhood, and how it inspired her to focus on Black and African voices.

“Something cracked open inside of me right after giving birth to my first daughter. From that point on, I truly understood my power, and motherhood has been my biggest inspiration,” she told Enninful of Blue Ivy’s birth in 2012. "It became my mission to make sure she lived in a world where she feels truly seen and valued.”

The birth of Beyoncé’s son Sir also sparked a change in the singer, who explained: “I felt it was important to uplift and praise our boys, and to assure that they grow up with enough films, children’s books and music that promote emotional intelligence, self-value and our rich history.”

Of the opportunity to interview the Halo singer, Enninful wrote: “Everyone always wants to know what it’s like to work with Beyoncé and her incredible team, and the answer is: flawless. A perfectionist to the core, more than anything she wanted her British Vogue moment to be filled with positivity as this trickiest of years draws to a close.”

The magazine’s December issue will be on newsstands 6 November.