Beyonce on her destiny as a solo star

Beyoncé Knowles, the almond-eyed lead singer of Destiny’s Child, has been pressing the flesh of the press for a week, promoting ”Dangerously in Love,” her debut solo album (July 8). By the end of this day, she will have gotten through a meeting, two fittings, a dance rehearsal, and this interview. But she shows no sign of flagging. Actually, she couldn’t look more invincible if she’d just sprung from Zeus’ head. Knowles is a focused and gracious campaigner — even though, if it were up to her, she wouldn’t be doing this at all.

”I always want to make music, sing, and perform on stage,” she says in her low, husky drawl. ”And, I think, make movies. But everything else that comes with it? If I had a choice, I wouldn’t do it…. Putting out the solo album, there are things you have to do” — she pauses — ”because you do!” The absurdity cracks her up.