Beyonce Goes To Rehab

But relax it wasn't for real but preparation for a new film role

Beyonce has said she visited a rehab centre as research for her latest movie Cadillac Records.

The star- who is married to rapper Jay Z- will play legendary soul singer Etta James in a forthcoming film about Chess Records.

As well as gaining 20 pounds for the demanding role she also visited a Brooklyn hospital treating drug users. Knowles revealed:

"I never tried drugs in my life so I didn't know about it all, It was hard to go there. In the beginning I didn't want to offend anyone, I didn't want to ask the wrong questions or seem judgmental.

They were so honest, though, and I am so thankful. I don't think I could have understood that level of pain or need. What they do there is amazing. I learned a lot about life and myself."

Beyonce releases her latest solo album I Am Sasha Fierce this week and has said the experience of playing Etta James- best known in the UK for I Just Wanna Make Love To You- influenced it.

She said: I'm not afraid to do something different. I really wasn't afraid to step out of the pop-star box or whatever box people put on me.

The singer was also determined to make her character in Cadillac Records accurate: I read Etta's book and watched every video of her I could find. I wanted to do her justice, said B. She's a real woman that had guts and was unapologetic. . . . I wanted to have the swollen eyes and the veins in my face too. I wanted to make it real.

The film is released on December 5 in the US and also stars Oscar winner Adrien Brody and Mos Def.