Singer Kelly Rowland may have cut her teeth in the music industry alongside Beyoncé in the girl group Destiny's Child.
But like Queen Bey she's had her own career in music, film and television ever since--for literal decades, and she has some 40 million records sold and a Grammy to show for it.
Nevertheless, a radio host who recently interviewed the singer seems to still view her as little more than Beyoncé's sidekick. During their chat, Hot 97's Peter Rosenburg asked Rowland to speak about what it was like to “play second to Beyoncé."
Rowland's fans weren't having any of it, and an immediate backlash began.
Rowland herself didn't seem to appreciate it either, for obvious reasons. But the way she responded to the questions was a master class in how to classily put someone in her place.
See the conversation below.
\u201cKelly Rowland & Marsai Martin on Beyonc\u00e9 and Homecoming - HOT 97\u201d— Hermaden (Fan Account) (@Hermaden (Fan Account)) 1668608914
Rowland came on the "Ebro in the Morning" show to talk about her upcoming film Fantasy Football, in which she stars with former Black-ish star Marsai Martin, who joined Rowland on the broadcast.
But all Rosenburg seemed to want to talk about was Rowland's supposed status as second fiddle. Speaking to Rowland, he went on a lengthy diatribe about himself, Rowland, and other artists who are supposedly in a bigger star's shadow.
He said to Rowland:
“Everyone who gets in the entertainment business gets into to be the man. [For example] just me working with Ebro, my ego has to be in 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 Andre, 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.”
Rowland's response was flawless.
She told Rosenburg:
“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."
"I think that when other people start to compare you, I think that shows how dim they are of themselves.”
Take that, Rosenburg.
On Twitter, fans applauded Rowland for her pointed but classy response.
\u201cKelly called him out to his face & he still didn\u2019t get it. Even, Marsai Martin caught it. Outside of Destiny\u2019s Child, Thee Kelly Rowland is an international superstar, actress, author & businesswoman! She\u2019s been in this industry 25+ years & in 2022 you\u2019re still comparing? \ud83e\udd26\ud83c\udffe\u200d\u2642\ufe0f\u201d— Jerome Trammel, MBA (@Jerome Trammel, MBA) 1668628868
\u201cKelly Rowland is a grown woman with her own career, her own accolades, and her own dreams. Pls stop asking her about Beyonc\u00e9 every time you talk to her\u201d— Meech (@Meech) 1668637456
\u201cI\u2019m just glad Kelly Rowland and Beyonc\u00e9 have mad love for each other cause the way people pit them against each other is crazy\u201d— tai $ (@tai $) 1668641041
\u201cThere is SO much that can be discussed with Kelly Rowland without mentioning Beyonc\u00e9. It's so tiring at this point.\u201d— KEITHAN (@KEITHAN) 1668625681
\u201cSTOP ASKING KELLY ABOUT BEYONC\u00c9. ASK KELLY ABOUT KELLY. \n\nKelly Rowland is a legend in these streets. She has plenty that we don't know about her, yet interviewers use her to try and get to Beyonc\u00e9's business. Give it a rest!\u201d— Stinkabutt (@Stinkabutt) 1668622453
\u201cIts very disrespectful and lazy for these outlets to constantly bring up Bey's career every time Kelly is interviewed. She is internationally known as a solo artist and performer and deserves her flowers. \n\nThese types of questions are why many BW in the industry hate interviews.\u201d— Chez Chard\u00e9 (@Chez Chard\u00e9) 1668716685
\u201cThis angle is so played out but when @KELLYROWLAND said "Light attracts light. *I* am light" I had to jump up and praise dance\u201d— star\u2022gyal (@star\u2022gyal) 1668706571
\u201cI love Kelly. I really do.\u201d— Agathe de Lili (@Agathe de Lili) 1668668480
\u201cPraying for the day people stop asking Kelly, Solange, Chloe and Halle about Beyonc\u00e9. She responded perfectly because she's secure in herself but that first question was mean.\u201d— Neo (@Neo) 1668650432
\u201ckelly gotta start slapping the dog sh*t out of people.\u201d— in charge of the girls (@in charge of the girls) 1668638104
Rowland's film Fantasy Football drops on November 25.
@theanniewallace/Instagram
@faizr_insta/Instagram
@loopyfrog_geek/Instagram
@tommytinker1991/Instagram
@doctorwho_chronological/Instagram
@magicpen87/Instagram
@sharonspinkact/Instagram
@titanium_doa/Instagram
@ashleyjparker97/Instagram
@kendoken1968/Instagram
@herrjohnssen/Instagram
@danr017/Instagram
@johnthegrieg/Instagram
@LarryBoorstein/X
@azealiaslacewig/X
@azealiaslacewig/X