Beyoncé Says She Was ‘Terrified’ To Release Her Fifth Studio Album in 2013: ‘I Was Really Nervous’

Even the Queen Bey gets scared sometimes. Over the years, Beyoncé has overcome many uneasy obstacles that have ultimately made her a stronger person in the end. However, there was a time when the singer almost let fear stop her from releasing new music.

Beyoncé dropped the surprise album in 2013

On December 13, 2013, Beyoncé unexpectedly released her eponymous fifth studio album, causing hysterical reactions from fans all over the world.

Since Bey made no prior announcement or promotion regarding the new album, everyone was shocked when the record showed up on iTunes out of nowhere. Though the world ~literally~ stopped once Beyoncé was released, fans soon got over their initial shock and had a complete meltdown over the record’s 14 tracks featuring the likes of Jay-Z and Frank Ocean.

Despite its secret launch, Beyoncé debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, earning the Queen Bey her fifth consecutive number-one album on the chart. The album sold over 800,000 copies worldwide in its first three days of sales, becoming the fastest-selling album in the history of iTunes up to that point.

The record was also ranked the best album of the year by Billboard, Houston Chronicle, and Los Angeles Times. Until January 2015, Billboard deemed Beyoncé the second-best album of the 2010s, but Bey’s incredibly satisfying Lemonade has since taken that spot.

‘Beyoncé’ has had a significant impact on pop culture

Much like her previous albums, Beyoncé is filled with feminist anthems that explore gender issues and black female sexuality.

But what made this album stand out from the rest of Beyoncé’s discography was that each song had a dark and moody concept that included themes of sex, monogamous love, and relationship issues — inspired by Beyoncé’s desire to showcase her full creative freedom.

Since she didn’t hold back when it came to the music and lyrics, many found themselves relating to Beyoncé personally. Some of the lyrics, such as “I woke up like this” from “Flawless,” have even transcended into pop culture, inspiring viral trends and generating millions of hashtags.

Beyoncé admitted the album release was a frightening experience for her

Although Beyoncé’s fifth studio album made waves the second it was released, it turns out that she questioned the record’s potential success ahead of its secret launch.

According to the Associated Press (via Cosmopolitan), Beyoncé had doubts about the personal record, despite all of the hard work she put into the project.

“I was terrified. I was so scared. I already envisioned like the worst things that could happen,” Bey told the outlet. “I was really nervous because this was a huge risk.”

But despite the moments leading up to the album release being a frightening experience for her, Beyoncé said she “felt like it was time” to show a more personal side of herself in her music.

“I’m very private and I’m very respectful, and I think it just took me no longer being someone’s child – once I became a mother, I felt like I could tear those fourth walls and I just felt like it was time. I completely feel liberated,” she said.

Overcoming her fears clearly worked out in the singer’s favor because Beyoncé is still considered one of her most successful albums to date.