How Beyoncé Once Reacted to Kelly Rowland’s Song About Their Rivalry

Beyoncé‘s solo success was once difficult for her former Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland to watch. The singer felt she was in Beyoncé’s shadow, which took a toll on their friendship. But years later, Rowland gained enough clarity to share her feelings on the situation through a song.

Kelly Rowland played ‘Dirty Laundry’ for Beyoncé

Rowland has been very open about her insecurities regarding Beyoncé’s post-Destiny’s Child success. Beyoncé thrived after breaking away from the group, having sold over 200 million records worldwide on her own. Even back in their Destiny’s Child days, Rowland felt she was playing second fiddle to the artist. That feeling only intensified after the group’s separation.

“Like, I can’t wear this dress because they’re going to say it’s like Bey. Or, I can’t have a song like that because it sounds too much like Bey. They’re gonna compare anyways,” Rowland once said on The Voice of Australia.

Rowland eventually addressed her feelings towards Beyonce on the song “Dirty Laundry.” The record was one of Rowland’s emotional tracks. It dealt with not only her feelings towards Beyonce but also other personal issues, like being in an abusive relationship. She was inspired to make the record by her feelings and her producing partner, The Dream.

“I had to get past being so upset and actually sing the song, not sob through it. I always hope that my music can inspire someone the same way other artists inspire me. Dream said, ‘I want to write you a record so that people will know exactly who you are, underneath it all,’” Rowland once said in a 2013 interview with Billboard.

Rowland would also play the song for her Destiny’s Child crew. Beyonce and Michelle Williams ended up embracing the record.

“Which was so sweet. It was endearing. [Beyoncé] heard how real I was. And she was just like, ‘I’m so proud of you,’” Rowland remembered, according to Contact Music.

Kelly Rowland walked off the ‘Today’ show after being asked about Beyoncé

Although their careers are in different places, Rowland and Beyoncé seem to have rekindled their bond over the years. Very recently, they both made headlines for different reasons. Rowland generated a lot of buzz by starring in the Tyler Perry movie Mea Culpa.

Meanwhile, Beyoncé was making history again by putting out the country album Cowboy Carter. Many critics praised the album and the singer’s transition to country music. It was also a commercial success, having already received platinum status.

Given her roots in Destiny’s Child, Rowland faced questions about Beyoncé’s country solo album. Even when the star was out promoting her Mea Culpa movie. But when she fielded these questions on The Big Tigger Show, she didn’t think it was the time or the place to address Cowboy Carter.

“I know, but just ask them,” she said. “I’m here talking about Mea Culpa, out Feb. 23, and that’s what I’m most excited about right now. I think that that’s that.”

Not too long ago, it seemed another situation arose where Rowland had to address questions about Beyonce’s new album. It was reported not too long ago that Rowland unexpectedly walked off set on Today. Initially, reports surfaced that Rowland left the program because her dressing room wasn’t how she wanted it to be. But later, a representative told The Wrap that the show’s host, Savannah Guthrie, kept questioning Rowland about Beyoncé. This was the alleged real reason for Rowland’s walkout.

“The story was spun that Kelly didn’t like her dressing room, but she has been on the Today show numerous times. She and her team know the dressing room set-up. That would not come as a surprise at all,” the source said. “Kelly was upset about Savannah’s aggressive questioning about Beyoncé. She and her team were not happy and felt disrespected.”