For weeks, rumors of a Beyoncé performance in connection with Vice President Kamala Harris flooded online chats. Yesterday (October 25), the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer final took to the stage of Harris’ presidential campaign rally in Houston. But instead of a hip shaking set, she released Sasha Fierce for another reason.
Rowland kick things off with a rousing speech (viewable here). “We are grabbing back the pen,” she said. “Houston, you already had a hand in creating ‘Destiny.’ So do what you do and do this thing again.”
Beyoncé followed that momentum with an equally inspirational speech (viewable here). “I’m not here as a celebrity, I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother,” she said. “A mother who cares deeply about the world my children and all of our children live in, a world where we have the freedom to control our bodies, a world where we’re not divided. Imagine our daughters growing up seeing what’s possible with no ceilings, no limitations. We must vote, and we need you.”
Texas is sure to be a battleground state in this tight presidential election between former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. With the 2024 election around the corner the public will learn if the sea of celebrity endorsements on each side were effective (or not).
Kamala Harris has always aligned herself with Beyonce. She used the pop star song “Freedom” when she conducted her first conference as a presidential nominee. She also garnered the support of Queen Bey’s mother, Tina Knowles. The Beyonce co-sign, however, has remained elusive. Until now. October 25 marked a monumental day for the Harris campaign, as Beyonce threw her full support behind the current Vice President. She reunited with fellow Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland and together they made a thrilling appearance at Harris’ campaign rally in Texas.
The campaign rally crowd went absolutely ballistic when Beyonce and Rowland entered through the side stage. The Destiny’s Child song “Independent Women” blasted over the speakers, and the two pop stars proudly engaged with the crowd. Beyonce and Rowland made a few brief statements, but the real cosign came in the form of a proper Queen Bey speech. Beyonce took the podium in her home state and gave a rousing speech in support of Kamala Harris. She described Harris as a woman who has been pushing for what the country really needs.
Beyonce’s celebrity profile is unrivaled, but the singer made a point of prioritizing his role as a mother during her speech. “I’m not here as a celebrity, I’m not here as a politician,” she noted. “I’m here as a mother. A mother who cares deeply about the world my children and all of our children live in, a world where we have the freedom to control our bodies, a world where we’re not divided.” After establishing connection with the audience, she made sure to highlight their shared values. “Imagine our daughters growing up seeing what’s possible with no ceilings, no limitations,” Beyonce asserted. “We must vote, and we need you.”
Beyonce proceeded to turn her speech into an introduction for Harris. She introduced Harris as the “next President of the United States.” She did not, however, perform for the audience. Beyonce has made high profile appearances at rallies in the past, with the most notable being for Hillary Clinton in 2016. This is the second time that a high profile celebrity has introduced a politician at a recent Harris campaign rally. Eminem was on hand to endorse Harris during her Detroit rally, before turning around and introducing Barack Obama.
Last week, some pretty surprising news emerged out of Cannes film festival. Video of Kelly Rowlandseemingly being mistreated by security sparked a ton of controversy online. In the clip she appears to be rushed off of the spot where she’s taking pictures and pushed up the stairs. When she tries to communicate with someone she recognizes the security personal even appear to try and block her view an continue to forcer her along the carpet.
The video spread around all over the internet sparking stern responses from fans citing the unprofessional behavior of festival security. In the days since, according to TMZ, multiple further instances involving the woman at the center of the Kelly Rowland video have emerged. Model Sawa Pontyjska shared a video to her TikTok of her ending up restrained by one of the same staff member who started the interaction with Rowland. She pops up once again in a video of Korean singer and actress Yoona. She had her view blocked and was rushed into the event in a similar way to Rowland. The further clips sparked even more outrage online by fans calling for her to be fired after the repeat offenses. Check out the clip of Pontyjska’s interaction below.
Earlier this year Kelly Rowland found herself in a different kind of viral controversy. Although this one didn’t include any video. She allegedly walked away from a scheduled appearance on The Today Show after realizing that her dressing room was too small. The rumor divided fans online over both whether it was true or not and if her behavior was appropriate.
What do you think of the same security guard who went viral for her interaction with Kelly Rowland having at least two other incidents? Do you agree with fans that she should be fired for the way she’s treating people entering the event? Let us know in the comment section below.
Kelly Rowland is providing context to viral images of her engaged in a heated moment with security at Cannes Film Festival.
“The woman knows what happened. I know what happened,” Rowland told the AP. “I have a boundary, and I stand by those boundaries, and that is it.”
“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.”
Cameras at the Cannes Film Festival picked up Kelly Rowland confronting security guards on the red carpet.
While on the carpet for the European film Marcello Mio, Rowland was being led by a woman guard, whom she had a message for. The guard’s response seemed to irk Rowland, who then gave her a piece of her mind.
Cameras at the Cannes Film Festival picked up Kelly Rowland confronting security guards on the red carpet.
While on the carpet for the European film Marcello Mio, Rowland was being led by a woman guard, whom she had a message for. The guard’s response seemed to irk Rowland, who then gave her a piece of her mind.
Music has always been an ever-changing and evolving art form, with artists constantly pushing boundaries and redefining genres. R&B is a highly beloved genre, and many notable singers have found their voices within it. While it’s easy to stay in one’s comfort zone, acts are always willing to test the limits, and experiment extensively within a genre. However, some R&B icons go above and beyond, fearlessly crossing into other musical territories entirely. Beyoncé’s venture into country music is the latest example of such versatility.
From pop to rock, Hip Hop to reggae, many R&B idols have wholeheartedly embraced musical experimentation. In doing so, they have left an enduring imprint on the music industry by defying conventions. Here, we’ll shine a spotlight on some of these remarkable singers who have transcended the confines of R&B. With ambition and determination, they have made an impact far beyond the borders of their musical origins.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé, renowned for her powerful R&B vocals, is now widely regarded as a groundbreaking, visionary artist. Throughout her career, she has constantly experimented with genres, incorporating elements of pop, EDM, reggae, and even rock into her music. When it comes to versatility and range in regards to musical experimentation, not many R&B singers come close. Time after time, she has proven her ability to transcend genre limitations. The track “Hold Up,” from her Lemonade(2016) album, effortlessly combines reggae with elements of soul and rap. Likewise, her recent releases, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” are full-on country songs. Beyonce has shown herself most capable of holding her own in different music genres. The Queen Bey’s ability to slay in all these different territories needs to be studied.
Rihanna
Known for her distinct and versatile vocals, Rihanna seamlessly infuses various genres into her music. While she has not released music in a while, her reputation stands firm. Although she is primarily regarded as an R&B vocalist, she is one of a handful of singers who can succeed in many other genres. Throughout her musical career, Rih has been known to incorporate her Caribbean roots into her works. When she released “Man Down” in 2011, with its reggae and soulful vibes, it ushered in a new era in the singer’s career. Equally notable are her electrohouse collaborations with Calvin Harris, “This is What You Came For” and “We Found Love.” With her chart-topping hit, “Work,” Rihanna also explored dancehall music.
With a classical training in piano, Alicia Keys has always been an interesting and notable artist. Using the instrument as an extension of herself, she’s always brought a peculiar touch of elegance to R&B. Additionally, the singer’s ability to infuse soulful vocals with intricate piano arrangements truly sets her apart. However, Keys has also explored the territories of pop in several of her albums. These include The Element of Freedom(2009), Here (2014), and Alicia (2020). On Alicia, she went even further, experimenting with orchestral pop and reggae on tracks like “Love Looks Better” and “Wasted Energy.”
When it comes to an alternative approach to R&B and genre-blurring, Frank Ocean is among a handful of essential singers. His distinctive style of music incorporates a myriad of influences, allowing him to carve out a niche for himself. Ocean’s sophomore album Blonde (2016) contains elements of psychedelic pop and ambient pop in the tracks. Blonde is a testament to the singer’s ability to create a dreamy, genre-defying soundscape that resonates with a broad audience.
Kelly Rowland has an impressive solo catalog. Without a doubt, she is among the best R&B singers of her generation. Despite her reputation as an R&B vocalist, however, she has released various hit songs in other genres. Rowland went full-on EDM onhits like “When Love Takes Over” and “Commander.” She also experimented with dance-pop on the track “Work,” cementing her status as a genre-bending icon.
A stalwart in the R&B scene, Usher has successfully switched between genres various times with his music. He has worked on pop, EDM, and Afrobeats, among others. Tracks like “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” and “OMG” demonstrate his ability to experiment with EDM elements. Looking 4 Myself (2012) remains his most experimental album with songs like “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop” and “Numb.” On his most recent album, he incorporated Afrobeats into the track “Ruin,” and showcased his capacity to push genre boundaries.
Janet Jackson
The R&B and pop icon Janet Jackson has effortlessly navigated between genres throughout her career. She is celebrated alongside many other iconic R&B singers, and rightly so. However, unlike some R&B vocalists, Jackson has successfully crossed genre lines many times in her career. For example, with her album Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989), she played a crucial role in popularizing the New Jack Swing genre. She has also fearlessly experimented with funk, rock, and disco, among others. Some of her most experimental and celebrated tracks to date are “Black Cat,” “If,” and “Control.”
Last week, fans were surprised by the newest drama surrounding Kelly Rowland. She was reportedly invited onto Today With Hoda & Jenny as a guest host but something caused her to walk off at the last minute. Allegedly that has to do with the size of her dressing room. When that news broke it led fan to make claims about how she was being dramatic and creating drama. The buzz got so big that even Marlon Wayans had to take to social media to come to Rowland’s defense.
While the story never really got a full explanation, there doesn’t seem to be any hard feelings for Rowland from either host. “I just want to say this. I have great love and admiration for Kelly Rowland,” one of the hosts said during a recent segment. She continued by extending an invite to Rowland to return to the show. “I adore her, and I want her to come back on our show, and I want her to host again.” The other host makes a joke about the alleged dressing room incident to close the segment. “She can share my dressing room. We’ll be in it together,” she says. Check out the clip of the pair acknowledging the controversy below.
The reason Kelly Rowland was making the round on various shows in the first place was because of her new movie. She’s taking the lead role in a new Tyler Perry-helmed drama called Mea Culpa. The film had its premiere last week and it was a star-studded outing. Among the headliners in attendance were Beyonce and Jay-Z with queen B even taking to Instagram later to give Kelly an extra shoutout.
Do you think the hosts of Today With Hoda & Jenna were right to invite Kelly Rowland back onto the show after she previously walked out? Do you think Rowland should accept their invitation? Let us know in the comment section below.
It’s long been suggested that Beyonce outshone her Destiny’s Child co-members during their time together as a group, but regardless of what’s happened in the past, Kelly Rowland is front and centre right now. On Friday (February 23), Tyler Perry’s latest film, Mea Culpa, will debut on Netflix. Starring Rowland as a criminal defense attorney who takes on a case of an artist accused of murdering his girlfriend. As with most good dramas, lust and passion raise issues between the client and his lawyer, who finds herself living a double life while attempting to evade too much danger.
The multi-talent acts opposite Trevante Rhodes, who manages to reel her in with his expert tactics of seduction. Earlier this week, Rowland and her co-star were speaking with the media about their work, at which time she found herself shutting down unrelated questions from a journalist. When chatting with V-103 Atlanta about her movie, the black-haired beauty was taken aback by an inquiry about Beyonce. “Your sis just dropped a whole new couple of songs, and it’s my understanding that Renaissance II may or may not be country-based, and then there’s a rumor going around that Renaissance III may be rock-based or a DC reunion,” he speculated.
“That is her business to talk about, not mine,” Rowland stated. When a co-host attempted to step in and diffuse the situation, the “Kisses Down Low” hitmaker doubled down. “Ask them. I’m here talking about ‘Mea Culpa,’ out Feb. 23rd. That’s what I’m most excited about right now,” she said with a laugh.
Is watching Kelly Rowland in Mea Culpa a part of your upcoming weekend plans? Check out the Netflix Original’s juicy trailer ahead of Friday’s streaming premiere above, and let us know if you think it has the potential to be some of Tyler Perry’s best work in the comments.
For years, users online have pledged with the estate to case Rowland in a biopic about the late singer. Now, it appears as if that could be in the works. While attending the 2024 Grammys, Summer’s daughters, Mimi Sommer, Brooklyn Sudano, Amanda Sudano, and her late husband, Bruce Sudano, officially blessed the highly-requested project.
During an interview with XONecole, Bruce revealed that the family is open to the idea but has a minor tweak. “Yes, we’re interested, but our inclination is to do a limited series,” he said. “Because there is so much nuance and different phases of Donna’s life and career that would give us a little more latitude in telling her story. And connecting with people on a different level—not only on the music level but on the human level. That’s the road that we’re exploring now. As far as Kelly, we love Kelly. We’ll see!”
As for when this content is set to be revealed, supporters will need to hold out a bit longer, considering the award-winning documentary Love to Love You, Donna Summer only hit streaming platforms released last year.
It is safe to assume Rowland is on board with the creative shift. For Halloween 2019, Rowland paid homage to Summer as part of her glamourous costume for the evening. In February 2023, she gushed about the documentary online.
Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love Donna Summer. The Voice. The Music. The Icon.
Also, during an appearance on Poer 105.1′ FM’s The Breakfast Club in November 2022, Rowland gleamed excitedly about the possibility of her stepping into Summer’s shoes. “Donna Summer has an illustrious life, and I think seeing it on screen would be so incredibly entertaining, mindblowing, and worth watching for anyone,” she said.
Watch the full clip of Donna Summer’s family above.
Earlier this week, Tyler Perry’s newest film had its premiere. The movie is called Mea Culpa and it stars Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland in the lead role as a defense attorney. Unsurprisingly, the premiere was a star-studded event but even bigger stars than anticipated arrived. Rowland’s former DC bandmate Beyonce was in attendance for the big event. But that’s not all as she brought Tina Knowles and Jay-Z along with her.
Beyonce shared a series of snapshots from the premiere to Instagram the next day. In the post, she showed her support for Rowland in an even more direct way via the caption. “Dats my best friend! Dats my best friend!!!!! So proud of you Kelly” the text attached to her post reads. She also showed off numerous photos of the stunning black and white dress she was sporting at the event. Check out the post where Bey hypes up her former bandmate below.
Last week, Beyonce shocked fans with a massive surprise during the Super Bowl. She announced her new album Act II, the highly anticipated follow-up to her 2022 smash hit record Renaissance. The project will see her going in a drastically different direction sonically as she looks to embrace the sounds of country music. Alongside the announcement of the album, she dropped two new songs which proved just how serious she was about her shift in sound. One of those tracks in particular, “TEXAS HOLD EM’” is challenging for a top 5 debut on the Hot 100.
The new songs have sparked a debate about whether or not they count as country. Apple Music was comfortable adding them to the country charts where they immediately shot to the very top. An Oklahoma radio station went viral for declining to play either of the new songs but went back on the issue after many fans online complained. What do you think of Beyonce showing up to support Kelly Rowland at the premiere of her new film? Let us know in the comment section below.
