Gwyneth Paltrow in September 2011 Elle Pictures

Gwyneth Paltrow wore two different black looks for the September 2011 cover of Elle magazine. She's in the issue chatting up her role in the star-studded movie Contagion, which opens on Sept. 9. Gwyneth also touched on her other work, like her recurring role on Glee, foray into music, and writing GOOP. She shared some advice pal Beyoncé Knowles gave her before the Grammys and discussed why she decided to share workout tips in her e-newsletter. Gwyneth also made a rare comment about her husband Chris Martin, divulging why they keep their marriage out of the spotlight. Gwyneth said:

• On Beyoncé's help for the Grammys: "This story always makes me cry. . . . It’s 10 in the morning and Beyoncé schleps it all the way down to the Staples Center to watch. I mean, she’s Beyoncé! . . . Beyoncé's like, 'OK. The singing is great. But you’re not having any fun.' She’s like, 'Remember when we’re at Jay’s concert and Panjabi MC comes on and you do your crazy Indian dance? Do that. Be you!'"
• On sharing her workouts: "It’s so much easier to sit home and not exercise and criticize other people. What I love is inspiring people. People come up to me and say, ‘I want to have two kids and wear a bathing suit and not feel terrible about myself. I see how hard you work and it makes me feel like I can do that too.'"
• On rumors she and Chris broke up: "Sometimes it’s hard being with someone for a long time. We go through periods that aren’t all rosy. I always say, life is long and you never know what’s going to happen. If, God forbid, we were ever not to be together, I respect him so much as the father of my children. Like, I made such a good choice. He’s such a good dad. You can never be relaxed or smug and think, ‘I’ve got this thing.’ That’s also part of it: keeping yourself on your toes. I’m not going to take this for granted."
• On keeping her marriage private: "He makes music for his fans, and he doesn’t want people to conjure a lame famous couple when they’re getting into his music. I get it."

Photos courtesy Carter Smith for Elle