Move over Marilyn Monroe! Beyoncé Channels 50s Pinup for Out Magazine

She has covered everything from GQ to Vogue and now Beyoncé has been unveiled as the cover girl for Out magazine.

The superstar appears in the May Power issue of the gay and lesbian lifestyle magazine and she appears to have taken inspiration from 50s pinup Marilyn Monroe.

Jay Z's wife, who has embraced her sexuality in her latest album, sports a platinum blonde wig and full makeup including smoky eyes in the stunning black-and-white image.

Her head is tilted back, eyes almost closed and lips slightly parted in the provocative shot. Pearls are draped around her neck and she appears to be topless.

In the accompanying interview, the mother-of-one opens up about the criticism she has faced over her explicit lyrics and raunchy performances. She also hit out at her naysayers: "There is a double standard when it comes to sexuality that still persists. Men are free and women are not. That is crazy.

"There is unbelievable power in ownership and women should own their sexuality."

The Drunk in Love hit maker insisted that it was possible to be a liberated woman and a sex symbol at the same time.

"You can be a businesswoman, a mother, an artist, and a feminist – whatever you want to be – and still be a sexual being. It's not mutually exclusive."