Kelly Rowland

At 43 years old, Kelly Rowland has this physical status:

Kelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland (born February 11, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, lyricist, dancer, actress, executive producer and television presenter.

She rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time.

During the group's two-year hiatus, Rowland released her first solo album, Simply Deep (2002), which debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide.

It included the number-one single "Dilemma" with Nelly, as well as the UK top-five hits "Stole" and "Can't Nobody".

Rowland also ventured into acting with starring roles in the successful films Freddy vs.

Jason (2003) and The Seat Filler (2005). Following the disbandment of Destiny's Child in 2006, Rowland released her second album, Ms.

Kelly (2007), which produced the international top-ten hits "Like This" and "Work".

In 2009, she hosted the first season of The Fashion Show and was featured on David Guetta's "When Love Takes Over", which hit number one in many countries.

Its success influenced Rowland to explore dance music on her third album Here I Am (2011), which spawned the UK top-ten singles "Commander" and "Down for Whatever".

She became a judge on the eighth season of The X Factor UK in 2011 as well as the third season of The X Factor USA in 2013.

Rowland's fourth album, Talk a Good Game (2013), became her third top-ten album on the US Billboard 200 chart.

She married her manager, Tim Weatherspoon, and gave birth to their son in 2014.

Since then, Rowland has continued her television career by hosting Chasing Destiny in 2016 and starring as a coach on The Voice Australia since 2017. Throughout her career, Rowland has sold over 30 million records as a solo artist, and a further 60 million records with Destiny's Child.

Her work has earned her several awards and nominations, including four Grammy Awards, one Billboard Music Award, and two Soul Train Music Awards.

Rowland has also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as part of Destiny's Child, and as a solo artist, she has been honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and Essence for her contributions to music.

In 2014, Fuse ranked Rowland in their "100 Most Award-Winning Artists" list at number 20.

Early life

Kelendria Trene Rowland was born on February 11, 1981, in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the daughter of Doris Rowland-Garrison (December 6, 1947 – December 2, 2014) and Christopher Lovett. She has an older brother named Orlando. When Rowland was six, her mother left her father, who was an abusive alcoholic and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from serving in the Vietnam War, and Rowland went with her. When Rowland was seven or eight, her family relocated to Houston, where at some point she moved in with fellow Destiny's Child member Beyoncé, referring to Beyoncé's mother Tina Knowles as "Mama T".

Circa the early 1990s, Rowland joined Beyoncé, Tamar Davis and LaTavia Roberson in the girl group Girl's Tyme. Girl's Tyme competed on the nationally televised talent show Star Search, but lost the competition to Skeleton Crew. Beyoncé's father Mathew Knowles reduced the sextet lineup to a quartet, adding LeToya Luckett, and began managing the group. In 1995, they signed with Elektra Records, who dropped them months later. D'wayne Wiggins then began working with the group, and they were briefly signed to his label. The group went through several name changes, including the Dolls, Something Fresh, Cliché, and Destiny before deciding upon a final moniker. Under the name Destiny's Child, the group was picked up by Columbia Records. They continued performing as an opening act for other established R&B groups of the time, such as SWV, Dru Hill, and Immature.

Personal life

On December 16, 2013, Rowland announced her engagement to Tim Weatherspoon, during an appearance on The Queen Latifah Show. They were married in Costa Rica on May 9, 2014, with guests including Beyoncé and Solange. On June 10, 2014, Rowland announced via Instagram that she and Weatherspoon were expecting their first child. On November 4, 2014, Rowland gave birth to a son. On June 20, 2020, Rowland revealed she had reconciled with her estranged father, Christopher Lovett. On October 7, 2020, Rowland announced that she and Weatherspoon were expecting another child in the November issue of Women's Health. On January 21, 2021, Rowland gave birth to their second son.

Source

Career

Since converting to Columbia Records in 1997, the group changed their name to Destiny's Child from a passage in the Biblical Book of Isaiah. Destiny's Child released their debut song "Killing Time" on the soundtrack to the 1997 film "Men in Black," which was released in the United States. The group debuted "No, No, No," the group's debut single, and the following year, they released their self-titled debut album. The album established the band as a viable act in the music industry, amassing modest sales and winning the group three Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards. The group came to fame after launching their multi-platinum second album The Writing's on the Wall in 1999. The album included some of the group's most well-known songs, including "Bills, Bills," "Jumpin' Jumpin" and "Say My Name," which became their most popular song at the time, and will continue to be one of their signature songs. At the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards, "Say My Name" received Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best R&B Song. The Writing on the Wall has sold more than 15 million copies around the world, essentially becoming their breakthrough album.

The company became embroiled in much-publicized turmoil involving the filing of a complaint against Luckett and Roberson for breach of contract. Since Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin appeared in "Say My Name"'s video, it was clear that Luckett and Roberson had already been recalled. Fans learned soon that Luckett and Roberson had been booted from the company. Franklin would eventually leave the company after five months, as shown by her absences from promotional appearances and concerts. She attributed her departure to the company's bad vibes. The trio released "Independence Part I," which appeared on the soundtrack to Charlie's Angels' 2000 film. For eleven weeks in a row, it was the best-charting single, leading the Billboard Hot 100 for the 11th week in a row. The success cemented the new lineup's success, which helped them to be known. Luckett and Roberson filed a lawsuit against their now-formed bandmates in the same year, while Mathew retained the complaint, which resulted in both sides agreeing not to avoid public discrimination.

Rowland appeared on Avant's remix of "Separated" later this year, when Destiny's Child was completing their third album Survivor. Survivor, which chronicled the band's demise, has released a lead single of the same name, which was a reaction to the situation. The band went on to win the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. However, the motifs of "Survivor" caused Luckett and Roberson to drop their case; the case was eventually settled in June 2002. Meanwhile, the album was released in May 2001 and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 663,000 copies sold. Survivor has sold more than 20,000 copies around the world, with over 40% of which were sold in the United States alone. Rowland also performed lead vocals on the album "Bootylicious," which was also spawned by the album. The group announced their protracted break-up to pursue solo projects before releasing their remix album This Is the Remix in 2002.

Rowland appeared on Nelly's single "Dilemma" in 2002, earning the pair a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. The song became one of the year's most popular singles, including the United States, where it became Rowland's first top-one single as a solo artist, selling over 7,6 million copies worldwide. "Rowland is no longer a mere backing singer for Beyoncé," Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian said of the song's success. The Forty-Five chose "Dilemma" as the best song about cheating ever written in 2021.

Simply Deep, Rowland's debut solo album, was released in the United States on October 22, 2002. Rowland's solo performance, as well as contributors Mark J. Feist, Big Bert, Rich Harrison, and singers Brandy and Solange Knowles, added to the album's experimental sound mix, which Rowland characterized as a "weird fusion [of] a little bit of Sade and a bit of rock." Simply Deep debuted on the Billboard 200 and at number three on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, with first-week sales of 77,000 copies sold. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) later designated it gold (RIAA). Simply Deep is Rowland's best-selling album in the United States as of 2013, with 602,000 copies sold. Simply Deep dominated the UK Albums Chart and became a gold-seller in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, resulting in a worldwide sales total of 2.5 million copies. Obviously Deep yielded the international top-ten single "Stole" and the UK top-five single "Can't Nobody" with a single "Can't Nobody" and the top-five single "Can't Nobody." Rowland debuted in 2002, appearing in the fourth season of UPN sitcom The Hughleys, and he has since moved to acting. Martha Reeves continued her acting career the following year, with guest appearances on UPN sitcom Eve as Cleo and the NBC drama series American Dreams as Martha Reeves. Rowland made her big-screen debut in August 2003, playing Kia Waterson alongside Robert Englund and Monica Keena in the slasher film Freddy vs. Jason, which grossed $114.5 million worldwide.

Rowland appeared in the romantic comedy The Seat Filler, which grossed $17.9 million worldwide, in July 2005. Jhnelle, a pop star who loses for an awards-show seat filler who mistakenly portrays a high-profile entertainment lawyer, was a hit girl. Rowland rejoined Beyoncé and Michelle Williams for Destiny's Child's last studio album Destiny Fulfilled on November 15, 2004, after a three-year absence that required focusing on individual solo projects. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and "Soldier" and "Leose My Breath" respectively, which also featured T.I. Lil Wayne and Neal Wayne. Destiny's Child embarked on a worldwide concert tour in the year 2011... And Lovin' It. Rowland declared that following the North American leg of the tour, the tour would end on June 11 at Barcelona, Spain. Destiny's Child released their first compilation album Number 1 in the United States on October 25, which peaked at number one on the Billboard 200. Destiny's Child received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 28, 2006.

Rowland and Beyoncé formed the Survivor Foundation in 2005, a non-profit group established in Houston, Texas, to provide transitional housing for victims and storm evacuees. The Survivor Foundation expanded the Knowles-Rowland Center for Youth, a multi-purpose community outreach center in downtown Houston, to fulfill the philanthropic mission. Rowland and Beyoncé lent their voices to Kitten Sera's "All That I'm Looking For." The song appeared on The Katrina CD album, and its proceeds went to the Recording Artists for Hope group. Rowland appeared in the sixth season of UPN sitcom Girlfriends in 2006, playing Tammy Hamilton. Rowland had hoped that her three-episode stint would lead to a more regular role, but as the show was rescheduled to The CW Television Network the following year, plans for a revival fell flat.

Kelly Rowland first started travelling on the Ms. Kelly Tour in June 2007 to promote her second solo album Ms. Kelly. The five-date tour included stops in Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia. Ms. Kelly was first published in the United States on July 3, 2007. The album's first version, named My Story, was supposed to be released in June 2006, but Rowland's company and Columbia Records decided to re-work a version with a different feel as the singer deeming the final track listing was "too full of midtempos and ballads." Rowland later hired additional producers to collaborate on the album, including Billy Mann, Mysto & Pizzi, Sean Garrett, Scott Storch, and Polow da Don. Ms. Kelly debuted on the Billboard 200 and two on the R&B/Hip Albums chart, with first-week sales of 86,000 copies. The album failed to recreate Simply Deep's success outside of the United States, barely reaching the top of the majority of all charts except in the United Kingdom, where it debuted at number 37.

Ms. Kelly performed on "Like This," the UK top-five hit "Like This," as well as the international top-ten hit "Work." Rowland's first DVD, BET Presents Kelly Rowland, celebrates the release of Ms. Kelly and features an interview with Rowland about the album's production, a video of her time with Destiny's Child, live performances, and music videos. Following the album's lukewarm sales, it was re-released as an extended play (EP) under the Ms. Kelly: Diva Deluxe title on March 25, 2008. "Daylight," a Travie McCoy-led EP, had moderate success in the United Kingdom and was a little surprise.

Rowland, as well as actress Jessica Simpson and the cast of Grey's Anatomy's Anatomy signed pink Goody Ouchless brushes, which were sold on eBay, with all funds going to Breast Cancer Awareness. In addition, the singer partnered with Kanye West, Nelly Furtado, and Snoop Dogg to create a Nike sneaker for another eBay auction. The proceeds went to AIDS Awareness. Rowland auditioned for the role of Louise Bradshaw, Carrie Bradshaw's assistant, in HBO's 2008 film adaptation of Sex and the City. Jennifer Hudson was eventually named in the role. Rowland appeared as a choirmaster in the first season of NBC talent show Clash of the Choirs, alongside other artists including Michael Bolton, Patti LaBelle, Nick Lachey, and Blake Shelton. Rowland's choir finished fifth in the competition, but Clash of the Choirs did not return for a second season.

Rowland became a spokesperson for MTV's Staying Alive Foundation in 2008, which aims to reduce stigma against people living with HIV and AIDS. She visited projects in Tanzania and Kenya to raise the charity's funding, and she undertook an HIV test in Africa to raise the disease's awareness. Rowland joined MTV's Serve.MTV.com, a website that connects young people with local volunteerism opportunities, for a series of on-air PSAs in 2009. Rowland was joined by Cameron Diaz, will.am., and Sean Kingston as they discussed why they volunteer to help and encourage young people to participate in making civic service a part of their lives, from combating homelessness to beautifying impoverished neighborhoods to saving whales. Alesha Dixon and Pixie Lott formed T-shirts for River Island in aid of the Prince's Trust, which also support young people.

Rowland ended her employment with Beyoncé's father, Mathew Knowles, who had been involved with her work since she was a member of Destiny's Child in January 2009. Knowles maintained that no animosity was involved in the decision, and that Rowland will always be a member of the Knowles family. Rowland left Columbia Records two months later, adding that she "felt the desire to try new directions, new challenges, and new freedoms outside of my comfort zone." Rowland said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that the company ended her deal because Ms. Kelly's career was not financially successful. She later signed with Universal Motown Records.

Rowland was featured on David Guetta's album "When Love Takes Over," which has sold over 5,5 million copies worldwide, and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Dance Recording in April 2009. Billboard ranked the album as the number one dance-pop team of all time. Rowland was originally cast to direct the first season of Bravo's reality competition series The Fashion Show alongside Isaac Mizrahi, but was replaced by fashion model Iman in the second season.

Kelly Rowland founded I Heart My Girlfriends, a charity that focuses on self-confidence, date violence prevention, abstinence, sport, heroin use, opioid/alcohol misuse, autism, and education. Rowland, Akon, Pitbull, Sean Paul, Jay Sean, and Eve performed at Supafest in April 2010. Rhythm of Africa United, an all-star supergroup of international artists, was released as the MTN theme song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa later this month. Rowland was honoured at the second annual ASCAP Presents Women Behind the Music Festival in October 2010, a program that honors women in all segments of the music industry. Work: The Best of Kelly Rowland, Rowland's first compilation album, was released on October 25, 2010, but it failed to make it to the top charts.

Rowland and Nelly reunited on "Gone," a follow-up to their acclaimed 2002 team "Dilemma" in January 2011. The song's debut didn't seem to recap "Dilemma"'s success upon its debut. Rowland appeared on Italian DJ Alex Gaudino's album "What a Feeling" in April 2011, which became another top-ten hit in the United Kingdom. Tim Weatherspoon, Rowland's ex-girlfriend and soon-to-become, became her boss during this period. Originally planned for debut in 2010, Rowland's third studio album Across the Country was released on July 26, 2011. In its first week, the album was released in 77,000 copies and debuted atop the R&B/Hip Albums chart. Here I Am, the best-selling lead single in Europe, and the top-ten single "Down for Whatever" by I Am. It also featured Lil Wayne's debut "Motivation," which topped the R&B/Hip Songs chart for seven weeks in a row and was rated double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). At the 2012 Billboard Music Awards, "Motivation" was named Song of the Year and Top R&B Song, as well as Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Rowland was the face of Diddy's women's fragrance Empress, the female counterpart to his male fragrance I Am King. TW Steel's global ambassador was also the company's ambassador. Playlist: the Very Best of Kelly Rowland, Rowland's second compilation album, was released on October 18, 2011, but it failed to make it to the charts. Kelly Rowland also appeared on Sexy Abs with Kelly Rowland, her first fitness DVD. Rowland would have replaced Danni Minogue as a judge on the eighth series of The X Factor UK with Louis Walsh, Gary Barlow (who replaced Simon Cowell), and Tulisa Contostavlos (who replaced Cheryl Cole). The Rowland team in the "Girls" category, which included Amelia Lily, came in third place in a group of three events. Rowland did not return for the ninth series in 2012 due to a tumultuous schedule, and Nicole Scherzinger, the former judge of The X Factor USA, was recalled. Rowland and music executive Sylvia Rhone were honoured by Essence magazine for their contributions to music during the Black Women in Music festival on February 8, 2012. Rowland and Chris Brown, Chris Brown, Trey Songz, T-Pain, Ice Cube, Lupe Fiasco, and Big Sean appeared at the Australian festival, Supafest, in April 2012. In the romantic comedy Think Like a Man, she returned to the big screen in the support role of Brenda. Michael Ealy, Jerry Ferrara, Meagan Good, Regina Hall, and Kevin Hart appeared in the film, which also starred Michael Ealy, Jerry Ferrara, Meagan Good, Regina Hall, and Kevin Hart. Future and Bei Maejor performed "Need a Reason" on Rowland's "Think Like a Man" album.

Rowland became the brand ambassador of Bacardi's famous rum brand in June 2012. Project B's Rowland and German production team reworked Bacardi's "Bacardi Feeling (Summer Dreamin')" and released a accompanying music video to help promote the brand. Rowland became a dance master in August 2012 during the first season of Australian talent show Everybody Dance Now with Jason Derulo. Due to poor ratings, the show was cancelled after the fourth episode.

Destiny's Child released a compilation album titled Love Songs, a collection of romance-themed songs from their previous albums, as well as the newly released song "Nuclear." During Beyoncé's appearance at the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show, held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Rowland, and Michelle Williams appeared "Bootylicious," "Independence Women" and "Single Ladies" (Put a Ring on It). Kristin Chenoweth, Lara Spencer, Robin Roberts, and Jess Cagle co-hosted the Academy Awards pre-show for the 85th Academy Awards on February 24, 2013. Rowland would replace L.A. Reid as a judge on The X Factor USA for its third and final season in May 2013, bringing together Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato, and fellow new judge Paulina Rubio (who had been replacing Britney Spears). On this last season, Rowland's finalists from "Over 25s," including Jeff Gutt, finished as the runner-up. X Factor USA Rowland's more success and fame as a judge than The X Factor UK. Rowland appeared as a supporting headlining act at the RiverFest 2013 in Little Rock, Arkansas, later this month. Rowland's fourth studio album Talk a Good Game debuted on the Lights Out Tour, a co-headlining tour with The-Dream. Year of the Woman, a previous title, was released in the United States on June 18, 2013. It's Rowland's first release with Republic Records following Universal Music Group's decision to separate Universal Motown and Universal Republic and revived Motown and Republic Records, as well as revived Motown and Republic Records. Describe a Good Game launched in 68,000 copies in its first week and debuted on Billboard 200 at number four, Rowland's third top-ten album in the United States, and it debuted at number four. "Kisses Down Low," the album's lead single, was a modest success on the US R&B/Hip Songs chart and was rated gold by the Royal Academy for exceeding 500,000 copies sold. "Dirty Laundry" was the second and final single on the second and final single. Rowland appeared in Beyoncé's "Grown Women" music video and alongside Williams in Beyoncé's "Unique" music video and provided backing vocals on the same track as her self-titled fifth studio album in December 2013.

Rowland appeared on Joe's single "Love & Sex Part 2" in February 2014. She was named as a spokesperson for cosmetic firm Caress in March 2014. During an interview with HuffPost Live on March 26, 2014, Rowland announced that she has started recording her fifth studio album and that the new music, which includes horns, drums, and flutes, was inspired by legendary female singers such as Diana Ross. Rowland also told the interview that she left Republic Records, saying that she "just wanted a fresh, new start." Rowland and Beyoncé were on Williams' single "Say Yes" in June 2014. The Game" and its music video were released on Pepsi's visual album for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, titled Beats of the Beautiful Game. Rowland appeared on Adrian Marcel's "Honey" from his mixtape Weak After Next and Beau Vallis' "Love Stand Still" on July 19, 2014. Rowland performed background vocals on "You're My Star," Tank's first single from Tank's 2014 album Stronger.

"I Know What You Did Last Summer" was Jacob Whitesides' single "I Know What You Did Last Summer" in August. Rowland appeared in the recurring cast of Empire's second season. In flashbacks, Leah Walker, Lucious Lyon's mother, appeared in five episodes, and she appeared in five episodes. "Mona Lisa" was a song included in the EP Empire: Music from "Be True" that was released on October 21, 2015. Rowland's new song, "Dumb," was rumored to appear on her forthcoming fifth album on October 26, 2015. Rowland's latest record does not have a publication date yet.

On a charity single put together by US First Lady Michelle Obama, Rowland, along with Missy Elliott, Kelly Clarkson, Zendaya, Janelle Monáe, Lea Michele, and Chloe x Halle were among the guests on a charity single put together by US First Lady Michelle Obama. Diane Warren's book "This Is For My Girls" was released on March 15, 2016. The song was created to raise funds and awareness for Obama's Let Girls Learn campaign, aimed at increasing literacy amongst adolescent girls around the world who are denied the right to education. The iTunes exclusive track was used to both coincide with Obama's Texan SXSW address and to promote the "Let Girls Learn" campaign. Rowland directed the BET's documentary series Chasing Destiny, where she and choreographer/director Frank Gatson Jr. sought to find the next superstars for an all-female group. They eventually formed Diary of June's Diary, which was later published in the girl group.

Rowland will replace Ronan Keating as a mentor on the sixth season of The Voice Australia, which aired in early 2017. In the television film Love By the 10th Date, which premiered on Lifetime on January 28, 2017, Rowland played Margot Scotts. Kelly published Whoa, Baby, her first book on April 11, 2017. A Guide to New Mothers Who Feel Overwhelmed and Freaked Out (and Wonder What the ##### Didn't Mean). Rowland will be joined by Jennifer Hudson, the winning coach on last season's The Voice UK, on August 8, 2017. Hudson appointed Rowland, a Melbourne coach, as her advisor. Rowland performed with Beyoncé Knowles and Michelle Williams during Knowles' headlining set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2018. Sam Perry and Bella Paige were the top two in her seventh season of The Voice Australia, with Sam Perry as the winner and Bella Paige as the runner-up.

In September 2018, BET announced that Rowland would appear as Gladys Knight in the series American Soul. On November 22, 2018, she released "Kelly," her first single. American Soul received raves in February 2019. Rowland debuted "Crown" on February 6, with the music video in collaboration with Dove for the campaign #MyHairMyCrown. She appeared on Ciara's "Girl Gang" from the album Beauty Marks in May 2019. On May 18, Rowland released The Kelly Rowland Edition, an EP on streaming platforms. She continued her work at The Voice Australia, appeared in television series L.A.'s Finest, Robin Thede's HBO series The Finest, and Robin Thede's Christmas movie, Merry Liddle Christmas, was produced by Rowland and her husband for Lifetime in December 2019. Rowland's "Love You More at Christmas Time" was released on her own record label, KTR Records, as part of the Christmas movie. Rowland released a single named "Coffee" on KTR Records on April 17, 2020. She revealed her Roc Nation management contract on May 6, 2020. Rowland's husband could no longer be able to care for her after this announcement. She was named the champion for the second time in The Voice Australia's ninth season.

Rowland appeared in Beyonce's Disney+ film Black Is King, which was released globally on July 31, 2020. In October 2020, she appeared in the film Bad Hair, which was released on Hulu. Rowland composed three songs for the film's soundtrack. On the same month, she unveiled "Crazy" on KTR Records, her second single of the year, as well as a official lyric video. Rowland debuted "Hitman" in November 2020 as part of the NFL's Songs of the Season campaign. On YouTube, a companioning music video premiered. Rowland continued acting in Merry Liddle Christmas, Lifetime's first-ever holiday sequel to Merry Liddle Christmas, which aired at the end of the month. Rowland produced a cover of "We Need a Little Christmas" to help promote the film, which she coproduced with her husband.

Rowland performed "Black Magic" on February 12, 2021, to celebrate her fortieth birthday. In the supporting picture, her sons, Titan and Noah, make an appearance. Rowland's EP, K, debuted on streaming services on February 19, 2021, as well as the music video for its opening track, "Flowers." Rowland's third holiday film, Merry Liddle Christmas Baby, aired on Lifetime in November 2021. Rowland will appear in the forthcoming film Fantasy Football alongside Marsai Martin and Omari Hardwick in April 2022.

Source