Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter (born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, actress, songwriter, record producer, director, model, dancer, fashion designer and businesswoman. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Beyoncé performed in various singing and dancing competitions as a child. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as lead singer of the R&B girl-group Destiny's Child. Managed by her father, Mathew Knowles, the group became one of the best-selling girl groups in history.