Beyoncè's £15m record breaker

Beyoncè Knowles is set to earn more than any other black actress in history from Dreamgirls, her new film about the rise to fame of a Motown-style girl group in the 1960s.

The Bootylicious singer was paid £5 million to play Deena Jones, a role loosely based on Motown legend Diana Ross, in the film, which is set for release in Britain on January 12.

On top of that, the Grammy award-winner is expected to make £10million from sales of the Dreamgirls CD after tough royalty negotiations by her father, Matthew Knowles, 53.

Beyoncè pocketed about £7.5million for her previous biggest movie, as Foxxy Cleopatra in the 2002 Austin Powers sequel Goldmember.

Her father reportedly told studio executives he was fed up with the 'racial pay gap' between black and white artistes.

If forecasts are right, the soundtrack to Dreamgirls, which started life as a Broadway musical, could become the biggest grossing double album soundtrack since Saturday Night Fever.

Knowles, 25, reportedly shed 9kg (20lb) for her role alongside Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy and Danny Glover by sticking to a diet of cayenne pepper, maple syrup and water.