Beyoncé Spoke About Her Kids and ‘Being an Innovator’ at the iHeartRadio Music Awards

Beyoncé made her first awards show appearance since the release of Cowboy Carter at the iHeartRadio Music Awards last night, where she was honored with the Innovator Award.

On stage, the singer wore a leather Versace cowgirl look to give a powerful acceptance speech about what it really means to be an industry shifter. “Innovation starts with a dream,” she said. “But then you have to execute that dream, and that road can be very bumpy.

“Being an innovator is saying what everyone believes is impossible,” she went on. “Being an innovator often means being criticized, which often will test your mental strength. Being an innovator is leaning on faith and trusting that God will catch you and guide you. So, to all the record labels, every radio station, every award show, my hope is that we’re more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art with no preconceived notions.”

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Michael Buckner - Getty Images

She ended her speech by sharing her gratitude to her husband, Jay-Z, and their three children, Blue Ivy, Rumi, and Sir, “who continue to be my inspiration and my biggest blessing.”

Read and watch her full speech below:

I’m honored to receive this recognition from you, Stevie Wonder [who presented the award]. Whenever anyone asks me if there’s anyone I can listen to for the rest of my life, it’s always you. So God bless you. And thank you for playing the harmonica on “Jolene.”

Thank you to iHeartRadio tonight. You call me an innovator, and for that, I’m very grateful. Innovation starts with a dream. But then you have to execute that dream, and that road can be very bumpy.

Being an innovator is saying what everyone believes is impossible. Being an innovator often means being criticized, which often will test your mental strength. Being an innovator is leaning on faith and trusting that God will catch you and guide you.

So, to all the record labels, every radio station, every awards show, my hope is that we’re more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art with no preconceived notions.

I want to dedicate this award to all the innovators who have dedicated their lives and their art to creating a shift so thank you for your sacrifices, your powerful voices, and your dauntless spirits. Thank you to Rosetta Tharpe, Miss Tracy Chapman, Linda Martell, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Andre 3000, Tina Turner, and Michael Jackson—and so many more who defied any label placed upon them. Thank you for executing your dream so we could all follow.

And thank you to my team at Parkwood. You all work so hard, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. [Thank you to] my husband, my rock, my best friend, I love you; [thank you to] my three beautiful children who continue to be my inspiration and my biggest blessing. Have a beautiful night, and thank you so much.

Beyoncé, of course, hopped on Instagram to share her own photos from the night, including some detail shots of her outfit.

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