Beyoncé Knowles [1] gave a rare, much-anticipated interview in April's Elle magazine [2] and opened up about her new activewear line, Ivy Park [3], as well as the pressure she feels to strive for perfection [4]. In addition to urging women to "take time for self, for the spiritual, without feeling guilty or selfish," Beyoncé also addressed the backlash she faced after releasing her jaw-dropping, headline-making "Formation" music video [5] back in February.

The singer dropped the video exclusively to Tidal [6] on a Saturday afternoon, and it wasn't long before the powerful imagery — a drowning cop car, a police line, a Southern plantation home, and a shot of graffiti on a wall that reads "Stop shooting us" — coupled with Beyoncé's politically charged performance of the song at the Super Bowl [7] the next day drew ire from critics, who called the singer a racist and a cop hater [8] and even put together a (poorly planned) boycott [9] in front NFL headquarters in NYC.

Of the backlash, Beyoncé said, "I mean, I'm an artist and I think the most powerful art is usually misunderstood. But anyone who perceives my message as anti-police is completely mistaken," adding, "I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of officers who sacrifice themselves to keep us safe. But let's be clear: I am against police brutality and injustice. Those are two separate things." She went on to recognize the timing of the single's release [10]: "If celebrating my roots and culture during Black History Month made anyone uncomfortable, those feelings were there long before a video and long before me. I'm proud of what we created, and I'm proud to be a part of a conversation that is pushing things forward in a positive way."