Kelly Rowland
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Kelly Rowland was the subject of Internet chatter after she was observed getting into it with an usher at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The singer and actress has since made a public statement after the incident, stating that she was standing her ground.
The image of Kelly Rowland pointing and having what appeared to be a loud discussion with the Cannes Film Festival usher went viral this week and even sparked some meme fodder. It wasn’t understood at the time what happened but Rowland, speaking with the Associated Press, explained her side of events and even alleged that women [i.e. not Black] who didn’t look like her were not treated the same.
“The woman knows what happened. I know what happened. I have a boundary and I stand by those boundaries and that is it,” Kelly Rowland said to the AP at the Cannes Film Festival. “And there were other women that attended that carpet who did not quite look like me and they didn’t get scolded or pushed off or told to get off. I stood my ground and she felt like she had to stand hers. But I stood my ground.”
From what was seen on video footage, Rowland was instructed twice by an usher to vacate the red carpet section at the Palais des Festivals and motioned her to take the stairs into the theater. Then a group of ushers swarmed her and essentially guided her to the stairs. At that moment, Rowland gave one of the ushers a piece of her mind.
Rowland observed a difference in treatment but stopped short of calling it race-related but the suggestion rings clear in her statment.
The video of Kelly Rowland’s comments can be viewed below.
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Photo: Getty
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One thing to know about former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland is that she is not the one—or the two, three, four or five. In fact, you might as well just stop counting.
Source: Stephane Cardinale – Corbis / Getty
On Tuesday, the Mea Culpa actor—who let it be known in February that she won’t be hosting any network’s little TV show if her dressing room isn’t up to par and her needs aren’t being met—also let it be known that she won’t be treated any kind of way by a security guard at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.
Here’s what happened, according to HuffPost:
Unverified video showed what apparently riled up the “Mea Culpa” actor. Rowland, beaming in an eye-catching red dress, smiled, waved and played to fans and photographers.
She’s motioned by one crowd-control person to move on and Rowland continues to enjoy the attention. Again the guard motions for her to move forward.
Rowland climbs the stairs and takes the hand of a companion and turns back to wave to fans again. Two other security guards close in to hasten her ascent and Rowland appears to touch the shoulder of one of them as if to tell her to back off.
She then points at her and continues to reprimand her. Another security guard intervenes as Rowland appears to talk firmly and point. Finally, she enters the Palais.
On one hand, security guards do have a job to do, and if the crowd is getting moved along, celebrities shouldn’t be exempt. On the other hand, they probably wouldn’t have tried to do Beyonce like that while she was interacting with fans, and there are certainly a lot of—how should I say it—melanin-deficient celebrities who security also would have likely been more accommodating for.
Also—come on y’all—look how fine she was in that red gown.
Nah—go on and let Kelly strut, security.
Now, some people might be debating whether or not Rowland was out of line, but when it comes to the collection of digital Black voices formerly known as Black Twitter, there really is no debate. Kelly Rowland is just one of those people we don’t play about.
Here are some of the best responses in support of Kelly. Yeah, we rock with Kelly over here. Y’all better stop trying her.
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Source: Penske Media / Getty
Gloria Carter, the mother of Jay-Z, married her long-time partner in front of a star-studded crowd of guests.
According to HipHopDX, Carter walked down the aisle with Roxanne Wilshire on Sunday night (July 2nd) in New York City. The “99 Problems” rapper and entrepreneur was in attendance front and center with Carter’s daughter-in-law, Beyoncé. The pair were part of a glamorous guest list, which included actress and singer Kelly Rowland, Tyler Perry, Good Morning America host Robin Roberts, talent manager Corey Gamble (sans girlfriend Kris Jenner), and Tina Knowles. The ceremony and the reception reportedly lasted well into the night.
The wedding is another momentous step in Gloria Carter’s journey, which Jay-Z shed light on in the track “Smile” from 4:44, released in 2017. Initially, she wasn’t too pleased with the track according to Jay-Z in an interview on “The Shop” in 2021. “It changed the dynamic of our relationship,” he shared. But she and her son talked and understood how vital the message in the song was for people to have a better understanding of the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. “Living in the shadow feels like the safe place to be. No harm for them, no harm for me. But life is short, and it’s time to be free. Love who you love, because life isn’t guaranteed,” Carter said in the song about being a lesbian and the difficulties she faced.
Ms. Carter related the story while at the 29th GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Media Awards in 2018. She was there to accept the Special Recognition award given to “Smile” on behalf of her son, and introduced by Robin Roberts. She went into detail about her hesitancy about the situation, and how meeting Wilshire was a moment that helped her change her stance. “Here I am. I’m loving. I’m respectful. I’m productive and I’m a human being who has a right to love who I love,” she said to close the moving speech. “So everybody — just smile, be free. Thank you and God bless.”
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Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty / Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland
Beyoncé is traveling the globe on her Renaissance Tour, but she is still taking time out to care for the less fortunate in her hometown of Houston with help from her sis, Kelly Rowland.
Spotted on HipHopDX, the Destiny’s Child members are coming together to tackle Houston’s housing crisis and will assist in creating 31 permanent housing units that will live in Houston’s Midtown area.
Per HipHopDX:
The Knowles-Rowland housing development will also receive funding — nearly $7,000,000 — from the American Rescue Plan.
“Harris County and the city of Houston, jointly with the coalition for the homeless, have reduced homelessness in the middle of the pandemic by 20 percent, and we’ve been able to hold that reduction,” Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a press conference held on Tuesday.
She continued: “It’s initiatives like this one I certainly will be supportive of no matter who’s behind it, but it’s especially interesting, I think, because there are these names of Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland, who, of course, have been supportive of the community for a very long time.”
The website also reports that when Beyoncé and her Renaissance Tour touches down in Houston, there will be an “even bigger launch,” according to Hidalgo.
Housing will not be the only thing provided for future complex residents. They will also have access to “case managers, peer specialists, service specialists, and support services, like transportation, mental health, physical and behavioral health support.”
Very dope.
Beyoncé’s world tour wrapped in Warsaw, with the North American leg of the tour kicking off in Toronto before heading to Philadelphia (July 12). See the full list of tour dates by heading here.
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Photo: Kevin Mazur / Getty
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Audible is taking music contests and audio storytelling to a whole new level with Breakthrough, the first audio-only singing competition series developed and launched exclusively as a podcast.
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The company revealed exclusively to Billboard on Wednesday (March 1) that Grammy-winning superstars Kelly Rowland and Sara Bareilles have joined Breakthrough as judges. On the show, the duo will guide the contestants’ performances, as well as mentor the artistic development of five artists through a season of musical challenges. As expected with the “audio only” format, the physical appearance of the performers is concealed, so their music is the only thing to connect them to listeners (and the judges too).
Over the course of nine episodes, the artists will be challenged with covering tracks that mean the most to them, stretching to genres outside their comfort zones, and writing and recording hooks and full original songs — with one artist ultimately crowned the winner. Throughout the series, Daveed Diggs will guide listeners through the contestants’ journeys as the host.
“I am so thrilled to be joining this group of wildly talented people for Breakthrough,” Bareilles said in a press statement. “I love that the creative team are on the same journey as our audience – getting to know these artists without seeing them – developing a sense of their artistry through only their music and storytelling. These five incredible souls showed up to each challenge with courage and vulnerability that invited us all into a remarkably intimate space, and I learned so much from them. No matter where you are in your career it is always inspiring to witness someone reach for the deepest parts of themselves and be willing to share that tender space.”
Rowland added, “I am so happy to be a part of this series that highlights and gives a voice to emerging artists. Audible is an ideal space for this and Breakthrough is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to up-and-coming musicians. I’m rooting for them all!”
Breakthrough premieres June 1 on Audible. Before then, check out an exclusive audio teaser below.
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Source: Variety / Getty / Kelly Rowland
The devil works hard, but Tyler Perry and his typewriter work harder. The Emmy and Honorary Oscar winner is hard at work on his next Netflix project, and it’s boasting some Black star power.
Spotted on Deadline, the next Netflix project written, directed, and produced by Tyler Perry, Mea Culpa, is coming. It will star Kelly Rowland (Think Like A Man), Trevante Rhodes (Moonlight, The Predator), Sean Sagar (The Gentlemen), Nick Sagar (The Princess Switch trilogy), and RonReaco Lee (Nappily Ever After).
The film follows an ambitious criminal defense attorney trying to become a partner at the law firm and takes on a case of an artist who possibly killed his girlfriend.
Mea Culpa is the fifth feature from Perry at the streaming giant. It follows Six Triple Eight, A Fall From Grace, A Madea Homecoming, and A Jazzman’s Blues.
Six Triple Eight is a drama based on the true story of an all-Black, all-female, World War II Battalion that went into production last month and will see Kerry Washington star in the film and serve as an executive producer as well.
Kelly Rowland Is Back In Her Acting Bag
Rowland, a Grammy and Billboard Music Award-winning artist, has again caught the acting bug. She starred in Freddy vs. Jason, The Curse of Bridge Hollow, and Bad Hair. She was also in previous episodes of The Equalizer, L.A.’s Finest, A Black Lady Sketch Show, American Soul, and Empire.
Rhodes gained stardom after his stellar performance in Barry Jenkin’s Academy Award-winning film Moonlight and other films Bruiser, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, Bird Box, The Predator, and 12 Strong.
He was most recently seen in the controversial HULU series Mike portraying Mike Tyson.
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Photo: Variety / Getty
Kelly Rowland is taking a moment to shout out her fans for always defending her.
During a Wednesday interview on Hot 97’s Ebro in the Morning With Laura Stylez and Rosenberg, Rowland was asked by Peter Rosenberg how it felt being compared to Beyoncé while in and out of Destiny’s Child.
“Everyone who gets into the entertainment business gets into it to be the man,” Rosenberg said to Rowland. “It does take an ego check, and you happen to be standing next to the brightest light on planet Earth. You think Big Boi from Outkast has it tough being next to André [3000]? You’re with Beyoncé, and not only did you not fight it, it seems like you really embraced the position that you were in and took it seriously.”
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Rowland had the perfect response, telling Rosenberg: “Here’s the thing. Light attracts light. I am light, so I am a beautiful brown shining light, so I don’t think anybody’s light dims anyone else’s. I think that when other people start to compare you, I think that that’s when it shows you how dim they are of themselves. So I don’t take somebody else trying to dim my light anymore for anybody else. I love Bey, I know that she’s a light, but I know that I’m a light too.”
Rosenberg added: “It’s also created such an interesting role for you. You could have rested on your laurels and just been like, ‘Hey, I’m part of this iconic group. My best friend is the biggest star in the world. We kick a–, we’re awesome.’”
“And her best friend-slash-sister is one of the big stars in the world too. People only see things one-sided … we both shine together,” Rowland replied, explaining that there is a place for several Black women at the top of the game. “Now everybody is starting to take the hit of and starting to believe this thing where … ‘Only one woman can do this and they shine the biggest.’ My sister has knocked down doors and made positions for so many women that look like her, that are a deeper shade than her, but specifically for Black women and put Black women in other places we’re grateful for. But also somebody else did that for her, and another group has done that for us. And I do it for other brown girls, so it’s a cycle and a space for all of us to open up doors for each other instead of compare. Don’t be so limited.”
Following the interview, Rosenberg faced several negative comments via social media about his questions to Rowland, with many highlighting the singer’s talents outside of being in a group alongside Beyoncé. Once Rowland caught wind of her fans defending her online, she tweeted on Thursday (Nov. 17), “Have The most amazing day Twitterville!!! Thank you all for your Love & support! I know ya’ll got my back! And that made me do a happy dance this am! Let me see your happy dance!! Here’s mine!”
Rosenberg later tweeted out a personal apology to Rowland for his words on the program. “I messed up. Sorry @KELLYROWLAND … wasn’t remotely my intention but intentions don’t always matter. I will take the L,” he wrote, adding that he will “still [be] playing Nelly and Kelly at my wedding.”
Watch Rowland’s interview on Ebro in the Morning With Laura Stylez and Rosenberg in the video above, and see the tweets regarding the matter below.
Have The most amazing day Twitterville!!! Thank you all for your Love & support! I know ya’ll got my back! And that made me do a happy dance this am! Let me see your happy dance!! Here’s mine! pic.twitter.com/rQHwTTPwFn— KELENDRIA ROWLAND (@KELLYROWLAND) November 17, 2022
Kelly called him out to his face & he still didn’t get it. Even, Marsai Martin caught it. Outside of Destiny’s Child, Thee Kelly Rowland is an international superstar, actress, author & businesswoman! She’s been in this industry 25+ years & in 2022 you’re still comparing? 🤦🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/1n2GjSXwhN— Jerome Trammel, MBA (@MrJeromeTrammel) November 16, 2022
The whole asking Kelly Rowland about Beyoncé is absolutely old and I need journalists and hosts to reallly get a grip and start asking Kelly about Kelly!— 𝐑𝐢𝐚𝐧-𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐢𝐬💥 (@ratedRIAN) November 16, 2022
I want hosts to find another angle when interviewing Kelly Rowland. We’ve witnessed the “second fiddle to Beyoncé” storyline for decades and it’s honestly redundant and highlights a lack of creativity when approaching interviews with someone over 20 years deep into their career https://t.co/qD6g7fpbNF— Nicolas-Tyrell Scott (@iamntyrell) November 16, 2022
You know what’s funny to me is I don’t know anyone else who’s wasn’t the lead in there group who is a successful as Kelly Rowland my sister always has always been booked regularly and looks the exact same way she did in 01 glad she got him together! https://t.co/Fq4qqcFlB3— Cocolo Minaj (@evilrashida) November 17, 2022
Kelly Rowland joined Jennifer Hudson on the American Idol alum’s brand new talk show this week, and the duo took part in a fun rapid fire game.
Amid showing off her Toni Braxton impression, and a story detailing how nervous she was to perform in front of Muhammad Ali, Rowland shared which member of Destiny’s Child she’d recruit to help her commit a crime.
After debating in her head for a minute, the “Motivation” singer replied, “I mean, we’ve seen Bey in a ski mask,” referring to Beyoncé and her husband Jay-Z‘s promotional video for their On the Run tour. “I believe her with the ski mask on.”
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Later on in the interview, Rowland recalled what she called a “bad parenting moment” with her seven-year-old son Titan, when she took him to see The Curse of Bridge Hollow, a comedy horror film starring her and Marlon Wayans. “I thought since I’m sitting right there with them we’re fine,” she explained. “But there’s a scene in a movie where mommy looks like she’s about to go to the other side and basically Titan goes ‘Mommy!’ Like it was a whole release.”
Rowland said her son cried for a few minutes, as he believed it could be real. “I was like ‘Yo, I’m right here, I’m right here. I’m not going nowhere,’ and he was like, ‘No.’ It was a whole moment,” she said. The singer went on to call Bey’s mom, Tina Knowles, who gave her some tough motherly love about the situation. “She’s like, ‘Well, why the hell you do something like that?’ She didn’t understand why I even shot a movie,” she shared. “She’s like, ‘It’s Halloween, baby, you don’t do that no more.’”
Watch below.
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