In the movie, Knowles takes on the role of Xania, fiancé to France's famous soccer coach Yves Gluant (Jason Statham) who was felled by a poison dart during his victory over Team China. Ensuing the crime is the mysterious loss of the Gluant's priceless diamond ring called "The Pink Panther" resulting to Closeau's tracking down of the most likely suspects including Xania.
In addition to offering her the opportunity to act opposite such comedy veterans as Martin and Kline and to exercise her vocal chops, Beyoncé also relished the opportunity to wear fashions designed for her by costume designer Joe Aulisi. "The clothes?," she says. "Oh my God! Joe Aulisi came to one of my concerts prior to the start of the movie and showed me some of the sketches and I couldn't wait to try them on. The character of Xania is an international star and very fashion-forward, so, naturally, the wardrobe was fantastic. Everything had this vintage, 1940s kind of feeling, a Parisian feel-very Josephine Baker, but with a contemporary sensibility. Everything fit so well. You could tell it was custom-made. The little details were extraordinary, from the earrings to the little butterflies and the shoes, especially the polka dot shoes they made for me. It was all exceptional."
Beyoncé's wardrobe ranged from what Aulisi calls a Belle du Jour dress-a summery white frock with a low cut V-neck and a billowy skirt that literally stopped traffic in New York City-to an incredible, diaphanous ball gown that was all glittery bronze sequins hand-sewn to a sheer sheath that hugged the actress' figure and highlighted her caramel colored-skin.
"Beyoncé is a designer's dream," says Aulisi. "We made six outfits for her and she was just a joy. Overall, the inspiration for her character was definitely Josephine Baker who, like Xania, loved diamonds and jewelry. So, we began with that idea and that's how the gown for the ballroom scene evolved. Our hope was that she would look like a freshly uncorked bottle of champagne, which was how we came up with the beading."
Beyoncé is a founding member of Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling female groups of all time. With many of the group's hit recordings co-written and co-produced by her, Destiny's Child has sold more than 40 million albums and singles worldwide and earned an astounding 23 gold, platinum, and multi-platinum RIAA certifications since the group's recorded debut in November 1997.
Knowles has earned numerous accolades including Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, World Music Awards, and the prestigious NAACP Image Award. When she won the 2001 ASCAP Pop Songwriter of the Year Award, she became the first African-American woman-and the second woman ever-to receive that honor.
Knowles' burgeoning career as an actress began in 2001 with the lead role in the MTV film "Carmen: A Hip Hopera." She displayed her comedic prowess as "Foxxy Cleopatra" in 2002's "Austin Powers In Goldmember" starring Mike Myers. She starred opposite Cuba Gooding, Jr., in 2003's "The Fighting Temptations."
Knowles toured the U.S. for the first time as a solo artist in 2004 in support of her #1 multi-platinum debut solo album "Dangerously In Love," which earned her five 2004 Grammy Awards including Best Contemporary R&B Album and Best R&B Song for "Crazy In Love," her smash single featuring Jay-Z. With her five Grammy wins, Knowles tied the record set by Lauryn Hill in 1999-and later tied by Alicia Keys (2001) and Norah Jones (2002)-for the most Grammys to be won in a single year by a female artist.
THE PINK PANTHER opens February 15 from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. nationwide.