Are Kelly Rowland and Beyonce related? Singer says outing Blue Ivy's gender during interview was 'the worst moment ever'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Singer Kelly Rowland recently appeared on Billy Mann's 'Yeah, I F*cked That Up' podcast and confessed that accidentally revealing the gender of Destiny's Child bandmate Beyonce's daughter Blue Ivy during a 2011 London red carpet was the worst mistake she ever made during an interview. "When I told the sex of Beyonce's [first] baby when she was pregnant with Blue [Ivy Carter]. It was like the worst moment ever," Rowland exclaimed.
Beyonce first announced that she and Jay-Z were expecting their first child at the end of her 'Love on Top' performance during the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. However, the couple kept the baby's gender and due date under wraps. Unfortunately, during an interview with Bang Showbiz, Rowland made a slip-up while discussing her present for Beyonce's baby shower. "[I don't know what I'll get for the present because] Jay-Z is going to buy that little girl every single thing possible... she won't be spoiled but she will be very well looked after," the singer said at the time.
A look at Kelly Rowland and Beyonce's friendship
Rowland and Beyonce has been known for their close-knit bond despite their all-girl group's disbanding back in 2006. While the singers are not related by blood, they reportedly grew up together after meeting at an audition for Girls Tyme when they were just nine years old. "I grew up with Beyonce; her sister, Solange: her mother, Tina; and her eldest cousin; Angie [Beyince],” Rowland told Marie Claire in 2019.
"We grew up in this industry together; we've shared ups and downs and we are closer than ever. I can tell her anything and she'll never judge me. She's a real friend: genuine, loyal, and trustworthy," she further added. After spending much of their young years rehearsing together, the duo went on to be part of the first line-up of Destiny's Child in 1990 along with LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett.
In 2000, Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin joined the group as Roberson and Luckett's replacement. Following Franklin's exit, Beyonce, Rowland and Williams continued to deliver chart-topping hits and established themselves as one of the most successful girl groups until their disbandment in 2006. However, their friendship went beyond the band and trio remained close friends. Despite Rowland's friendship and sisterhood with Beyonce, the singer also experienced some harsh times over their bond. Speaking to a contestant on 'The Voice Australia' who talked about being in the shadow of his brother, Rowland said she was familiar with the feeling. "I know this feeling. Can you imagine what it's like being in a group with Beyonce? I would just torture myself in my head like, 'Well, I can't wear this dress 'cause they're gonna say it's like B'. Or, 'I can't have a song like that because it sounds too much like B,'" she shared.
"There was a whole decade that it was like the elephant in the room the thing that would constantly be on my shoulder," Rowland revealed. However, the 'Coffee' singer did not let the feeling weigh down her friendship. "I'm extremely proud of Bey and how real she is. She could have an ego, but she's the most humble person I know. I admire her passion and hard work. I'd be lying if I said I didn't look up to her as an artist, she has ignited fire inside so many women," the musician stated.
'I felt terrible because its not my news'
While talking about accidentally revealing the gender of Beyonce's first child, Rowland said she panicked right after the "she" pronoun "kind of slipped out." She said that while the incident left Beyonce "disappointed" it did not hamper their friendship. "I felt terrible because its not my news [to share with the rest of the world]. I didn't mean it like that," the singer shared while reflecting on her slip-up.
Despite the incident, Beyonce and Jay-Z did not confirm the gender of their first child until a few days after she was born on Janaury 7, 2012. Back in 2014, Rowland even accidentally revealed that she was expecting a baby boy even before telling her husband Tim Witherspoon the gender of the baby.