Beyonce giving to charity “until it hurts”
In an interview with Self, the 28-year-old singer said: "Singing At Last for President Barack Obama on his inauguration night was a personal accomplishment for me, both as a performer and an American."
The R&B star also opened up to the US fitness magazine about her charitable work, which includes opening a beauty school – the Beyoncé Cosmetology Centre – and Phoenix House, a drug and alcohol treatment facility.
The singer donated her salary from 2008 movie Cadillac Records to the centre, which she visited to research her role as singer Etta James.
She said: "I watched my parents get involved in [community charities] there and that taught me how important it is to 'give 'til it hurts'… I've always felt that you should give because it's what you can do to help…"
She added: “Sisterhood means everything to me. All the charities I'm involved with are special, but I find any organisation that focuses on women and children really motivating…
"And what I took away from the clients at Phoenix House changed my life.
"These were real people who touched me so much that I had to go beyond making a donation. They're gaining skills at the Cosmetology Centre, which will help them earn a living and find their way out of substance abuse.
"It's a testament to the possibility of second chances."
