Happy Birthday, Beyoncé! 25 Throwback Photos From Her Destiny s Child Days 

Beyoncé Knowles Carter insists that whenever we watch her perform, we’re not technically watching “Beyoncé.” When she’s onstage at the Super Bowl or making history at Coachella, we’re actually witnessing her uber-confident alter-ego, Sasha Fierce. She’s been standing in for Beyoncé since at least age seven, when a dance teacher pushed the shy, Houston native to enter a school talent show.

“I was terrified and I didn’t wanna do it,” Beyoncé has said of the performance, a soulful rendition of “Home” by Diana Ross. “I remember walking out and I was scared, but when the music started, I don’t know what happened. I just . . . changed.”

Whether you know her best as Sasha Fierce or Queen Bey, the multi-hyphenate continues to redefine what modern pop stardom looks and sounds like. From the slinky R&B of Dangerously in Love to the confessional lyricism of Lemonade, Beyoncé’s solo career is characterized by bold artistic swings and an unfailing sense of style. 

The same can easily be said of Destiny s Child, the music group that cycled through as many names (GirlsTyme, Cliche) as it did line-ups before eventually launching Beyoncé to superstardom. Formed in the late ‘90s but finessed in the early ’00s by core members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, the trio is responsible for some of the era s most enduring hits. And with Tina Knowles designing all of their corresponding outfits, some of its most iconic fashion moments, too. 

In honor of Beyoncé s fortieth birthday, Vogue looked through the archives to compile a nostalgic tribute to the one-of-a-kind diva s earlier days.