Beyoncé's hidden love

Music

16:30 15 February 2005

Beyoncé Knowles has confessed she finds it easy to keep her love life out of the spotlight.

The Destiny's Child singer, who has dated rapper Jay-Z for three years, says the secret is to treat the relationship as sacred - and never talk about it to anyone.

She is quoted by Contact Music as saying: "Even in school I was private. It kept my name out of people's mouths. Not because I was ashamed of anything or because I wasn't passionate about who I was dating, but because it seemed more pure when I treated it like it was sacred.

"I don't mind being vulnerable, but people scrutinise celebrities and make up stories. Then when everyone in the world is talking about you, it makes things really hard - not normal. I'm just a regular woman."

However, Beyoncé's father has no difficulty in talking publicly about his daughter's boyfriend - and has in the past spoken of his dislike for the controversial star.

Mathew Knowles, who also manages the sexy singer's career, has previously said: "I don't care for him at all. No, I'm not close to him. He is not somebody I like to spend time with."

Meanwhile, friends of the couple have revealed the smitten pair are set to marry.

A source close to the couple recently revealed: "Jay-Z's really keen to make an honest woman of Beyoncé - they've never talked about their relationship in public but they definitely see a long future together."

(c) BANG Media International