In early 2001, while Destiny's Child was completing their third album, Beyoncé landed a major role in the MTV made-for-television film, Carmen: A Hip Hopera, starring alongside American actor Mekhi Phifer.
I starten af 2001, imens Destiny's Child færdiggjorde deres tredje album, fik Knowles en større rolle i MTV tv-filmen Carmen: A Hip Hopera, hvor hun spillede overfor den amerikanske skuespiller Mekhi Phifer.