InStyle Beyonce to play Etta James

Beyoncé Knowles is to play Etta James in the upcoming movie Cadillac Records.

Exploring the 1950s musical era, the film chronicles the life of the influential Chicago-based record-company executive Leonard Chess played by Adrien Brody. Movie will open in theaters everywhere on Friday, December 5.

Beyoncé looks amazing in the InStyle November issue as she talks on style icons, her own style and her obsessions.

On her style icons:

Charlize Theron is always beautiful and feminine. I love her couture looks and dramatic silhouette. Halle Berry is elegant and sophisticated. I love that in the seventies Cher and Diana Ross looked like superstars and never played it safe. When they were onstage, they gave you drama—and I love drama.”

On her designer obsessions:

Alexander McQueen and Jean Paul Gaultier are two designers I love right now. Their clothes are feminine, sexy and modern. I just went to the Giuseppe Zanotti showroom, and he had the most spectacular shoes. It was like being in a candy store—I was obsessed with every shoe! Right now, I love anything with a high platform.”

On Her Pre-Superstar Style:

Growing up, I was a tomboy. I refused to carry a purse and wouldn’t wear a dress. That was the eighties and it was all about the hip-hop influence—baggy jeans and big shirts. [Her mother, Tina Knowles] hated it! But then I started singing and ended up watching all of the footage of the Supremes and Tina Turner. And I thought to myself, ‘They’re so beautiful. I want to be like them.'”

On Her Off-Camera Style:

I’m a lot more conservative in my personal life. But even when I’m dressed down, I wear a nice shirt, nice jeans and stilettos. Even when I go on vacation, where no one’s going to see me, I enjoy picking out new clothes, bathing suits and accessories. I do it for myself because I enjoy fashion. It makes me feel like me.”

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