Having risen to fame as part of top-selling girl group Destiny’s Child alongside Beyonce, singer-songwriter Kelly Rowland has fielded years of questions about or inevitable comparisons to the megastar.
Generally, her response to inquiries about the ‘Renaissance‘ diva are pleasant given the two’s nearly lifelong friendship and public displays of mutual admiration and respect.
That changed recently, however, when Rowland had to put an interviewer in check for saying she plays “second fiddle” to Beyonce – a notion that many (including Kelly) felt undermines the groundbreaking achievements she’s made in her own career.
Look inside to see how it went down.
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
Hot on the promo trail for her new movie ‘Fantasy Football’ (which also stars Marsai Martin and Omari Hardwick), Kelly stopped by Hot 97 to chat with resident hosts Ebro Darden, Peter Rosenberg, and Laura Stylez about the film ahead of its November 25 premiere on Paramount+.
The interview went south when Rosenburg asked the GRAMMY winner how she fares having played ‘second fiddle’ to Beyonce for most of her career.
“Angie [Martinez] gave you flowers for your ability to play second to Beyonce,” he started before later continuing, “…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 Andre [3000], and you’re with Beyoncé. Not only did you not fight it, but it also seems you like you really love the position you were in.”
The interaction referenced in Peter’s quote happened in October and saw Martinez ask Kelly how watching Beyonce’s work ethic impacted her as a performer.
“Her [work ethic] is different. It’s like another whole beast. It’s so funny because her being that focused in that space made me come up in another space that I’m just as excited about,” Kelly said in the Angie interview. “So, I’m like I don’t have to pay attention to that much details. I watch the way she works; it’s so incredibly intricate. It’s something that you’re born with. You either have it, or you don’t, and it’s really dope focus and it’s one of the many reasons that makes her so f*cking dope.”
When it came to Rosenburg, however, Kelly deservedly patted herself on the back.
“Light attracts light, and I am light. So I am a beautiful brown shining light. I don’t think anybody’s light dims anyone else’s,” she said. ”I think that when other people start to compare you, I think that shows how dim they are of themselves.”
Peter continued pushing his point, which pushed Kelly to clap back even harder – slamming “patriarchy” and people who pigeonhole Black people into limited positions.
“[I’m] one of the biggest stars in the world too,” Rowland said. “So, it’s like people only see things one-sided. I don’t like when they put one person in one place. We both shine together.”
Watch the full interview below.
Yet you still can’t chart on Bubbling Under.
When was the last time kelly dropped something intended to perform commercially?
Beyoncé not even singing real
R&B her name Carries her.cuff it, Plastic & Virgo groove are the only two authentic r&b songs on Renaissance everything else is basically dance music
Show respect to those still making r&b
I respect those making DECENT R&B. Kelly rarely writes any of her s**** yet still can’t PURCHASE decent songs? Plus, she’s beyond boring 😴
Never heard of him but kudos Kelly for checkin’ his MESSY asss.
As far as I’m concerned…
He’s taken away from the REAL TALENT.
Because he clearly dunno how to do his f*ckin’ job correctly.
I don’t think it’s fair for people to come for Peter Rosenberg for this. He was literally referencing EXACTLY WHAT SHE SAID in her interview on Angie Martinez’s podcast like a month ago. It may have annoyed her but… Kelly put it out there.
she did answer to the question like to any other she was not anoyed at all so what you talking about….people took that and made it bigger than it was !
People kills me when they compare women it’s hard enough for us. Now this is some messy ass s*** right here. These women get along & their kids play together with no problems so why bring in some b*******. I think Kelly & beyonce have open doors for all girls & women.
She didn’t say “I’m one of the biggest stars in the world too.” She said, “I’m one of the big stars in the world too.” There’s a huge difference there — mostly that she’s delusional, but not as delusional as your headline and story suggest. Idiots, all of you.
YOU ARE JUST IN IDIOT SHE IS A BIG STAR SOLD MILLIONS OF RECORDS ON HER OWN NOT AT A BEYONCE LEVEL BUT SHE ACHIVED A LOT LOSER
Well, its safe to say Kelly is talented but to be honest Queen Bey cast a shadow over these b*tches, so everything they do will be compared to her and thats pretty annoying
But why bring Kelly on ur show to talk about Beyoncé??
You’re basically implying she is NOT important. It’s shady and insulting since she has her own career now.
The Interviewers are GHETTO yet y’all think their show is high quality Entertainment.
It’s a step above the source awards. Same type of ppl but “slightly” well mannered.
Kelly is UNPROBLEMATIC. Has no ego, never in any drama, and has worked with many artists whether famous or nah.
Well said
YT ppl are so subpar.
People love to pretend that this girl’s career is bigger than it really is. One of the biggest stars in the world? LOL What world, because she certainly isn’t talking about Earth.