Beyonce is one of the hottest acts around today. Apart from racking up 15 million album sales, Grammys and endorsements since Destiny's Child exploded on the scene in 1997, she is now on her way to becoming a genuine movie star.

After her role as Foxxy Cleopatra in last year's Austin Powers movie Goldmember, for which she won rave reviews, she is now starring with Cuba Gooding Jr in The Fighting Temptations, due out in September.

According to Goldmember producer John Lyons, there's no question she is going to be an A-list movie star. "She holds the camera," he says. "She's like Lucille Ball - hugely funny.

"And she has got that diva strength that will take her far. But on top of that, she's a very kind person - well brought up."

Andy Pemberton, of US music magazine Blender, says: "At times she's a supervixen and at other times she's Daddy's little girl. Walking that tightrope is a neat trick if you can pull it off."

But he warns: "Her new adult uality could alienate younger fans - that's what has happened to Britney."

The comparison between the two is appropriate. Beyonce has replaced Britney as the new face of Pepsi - as well as L'Oreal.

But unlike Spears, Beyonce has not only the catwalk looks of a young Naomi Campbell, she has rap star street cred, too.

Rick Krim, a vice president of TV music channel VH1, says she is reaching the level of J-Lo because she cuts across all genres.