Kelly Rowland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kelly Rowland
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Rowland in 2022
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| Born |
Kelendria Trene Rowland
February 11, 1981 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
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| Education | Alief Elsik High School Lamar High School Westfield High School |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1992–present |
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Works
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| Television |
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| Spouse(s) |
Tim Weatherspoon
(m. 2014) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
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Kelendria Trene Rowland (born February 11, 1981) is an American singer, actress, and television star. She first became famous in the 1990s as a member of the girl group Destiny's Child, which was one of the best-selling girl groups in the world.
When the group took a break, Rowland released her first solo album, Simply Deep (2002). It was a huge hit, selling over 3 million copies. The album had the number-one song "Dilemma" with the rapper Nelly. She also started acting in movies like Freddy vs. Jason (2003).
After Destiny's Child broke up in 2006, Rowland continued her solo career. She released more albums and had international hits like "Like This" and "Work". She also worked with DJ David Guetta on the hit song "When Love Takes Over". This inspired her to make more dance music.
Rowland has also been a judge on popular TV shows like The X Factor UK and The Voice Australia. She has sold over 40 million records as a solo artist and has won many awards, including four Grammy Awards.
Contents
Early Life
Kelendria Trene Rowland was born on February 11, 1981, in Atlanta, Georgia. When she was seven, her mother left her father, and Kelly went with her. They moved to Houston, Texas. There, she became close friends with Beyoncé and moved in with her family.
In the early 1990s, Rowland and Beyoncé joined a group called Girl's Tyme. They even competed on the TV talent show Star Search. Beyoncé's father, Mathew Knowles, became their manager. After a few changes to the group's members and name, they became known as Destiny's Child.
Career
1997–2001: The Rise of Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child signed with Columbia Records in 1997. Their first big song was "Killing Time" for the movie Men in Black. Their first album, Destiny's Child, came out the next year and won them three Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards.
Their second album, The Writing's on the Wall (1999), was a massive success. It had hit songs like "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Say My Name". "Say My Name" won two Grammy Awards. The album sold more than 15 million copies around the world.
During this time, two members left the group and were replaced by Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin. Franklin left after a few months, creating the final trio lineup. The group then released "Independent Women Part I" for the movie Charlie's Angels. It was their biggest hit, staying at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 11 weeks.
Their third album, Survivor (2001), was also a number-one hit. It featured the famous song "Survivor" and the hit "Bootylicious". After the album's success, the group decided to take a break to work on their own solo projects.
2002–2006: Solo Success and Destiny's End
In 2002, Rowland's duet with rapper Nelly, called "Dilemma", became a worldwide number-one hit. It won a Grammy Award and showed that Rowland was a star on her own.
Her first solo album, Simply Deep, came out later that year. It had a mix of rock and Sade-inspired sounds. The album did very well, especially in the United Kingdom where it reached number one. It sold 2.5 million copies worldwide.
Rowland also focused on acting. She appeared in TV shows like The Hughleys and made her movie debut in Freddy vs. Jason (2003). In 2005, she starred in the romantic comedy The Seat Filler.
In 2004, Destiny's Child reunited to release their final album, Destiny Fulfilled. It had hit singles like "Lose My Breath" and "Soldier". The group went on a final world tour, and in 2006, they received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2007–2012: More Music and TV Judging
Rowland's second solo album, Ms. Kelly, was released in 2007. It featured the popular songs "Like This" and "Work". In 2009, she collaborated with French DJ David Guetta on the song "When Love Takes Over". The song was a huge success, topping charts all over Europe and winning a Grammy nomination.
This success inspired Rowland to explore more dance music on her third album, Here I Am (2011). The album included the hit single "Motivation", which featured rapper Lil Wayne. The song was a number-one R&B hit in the U.S.
In 2011, Rowland became a judge on the British TV show The X Factor UK. During her time on the show, she helped form the successful girl group Little Mix. She also appeared in the movie Think Like a Man in 2012.
2013–Present: Continued Success in Music and Film
In 2013, Destiny's Child briefly reunited for a performance at the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show with Beyoncé. That same year, Rowland released her fourth album, Talk a Good Game, which became her third top-ten album in the U.S. She also served as a judge on the American version of The X Factor USA.
Rowland continued to act, appearing in the TV series Empire and starring in several TV movies. From 2017 to 2020, she was a popular coach on The Voice Australia, winning the show twice with her contestants.
In 2019, she released a new EP called The Kelly Rowland Edition and starred as the legendary singer Gladys Knight in the TV series American Soul. She released another EP, K, in 2021.
Rowland has also starred in several movies, including Bad Hair (2020) and Mea Culpa (2024). In 2025, she starred in the romantic comedy Relationship Goals. It was also announced that she will be a coach on The Voice UK starting in 2026.
Personal Life
In 2014, Rowland married her manager, Tim Weatherspoon. They have two sons, born in 2014 and 2021. Rowland has said that she is very happy in her family life. In 2020, she also shared that she had reconnected with her father, Christopher Lovett, after many years.
Artistry and Influences
Rowland's voice is known as a mezzo-soprano. Her music covers many genres, including R&B, pop, hip hop, and dance. She has said that her biggest musical influences are Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson. She is also inspired by artists like Sade Adu, Mariah Carey, and Mary J. Blige.
Her first album had a rock-influenced sound, while her later albums moved towards R&B and dance-pop. She said that working with David Guetta opened her up to making more dance music. Her songs often talk about love, relationships, and empowerment.
Charity Work
Rowland has been involved in charity work throughout her career. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, she and Beyoncé started the Survivor Foundation to help families who lost their homes.
She has also worked with many other organizations. She is an ambassador for the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, which raises awareness about HIV and AIDS. In 2010, she started her own charity called I Heart My Girlfriends, which supports teenage girls with issues like self-esteem and education.
Awards and Achievements
As a solo artist, Kelly Rowland has sold over 40 million records worldwide. With Destiny's Child, she sold another 60 million records.
- She has won four Grammy Awards.
- She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as a member of Destiny's Child.
- Her song "Dilemma" with Nelly was a number-one hit around the world.
- Her song "When Love Takes Over" with David Guetta was named the number one dance-pop collaboration of all time by Billboard.
- She has won awards for her role as a TV personality on shows like The X Factor.
Discography
Studio albums
- Simply Deep (2002)
- Ms. Kelly (2007)
- Here I Am (2011)
- Talk a Good Game (2013)
with Destiny's Child
- Destiny's Child (1998)
- The Writing's on the Wall (1999)
- Survivor (2001)
- 8 Days of Christmas (2001)
- Destiny Fulfilled (2004)
Filmography
- Films
- Freddy vs. Jason (2003)
- The Seat Filler (2005)
- Think Like a Man (2012)
- Love By the 10th Date (2017)
- Merry Liddle Christmas (2019)
- Bad Hair (2020)
- Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding (2020)
- Merry Liddle Christmas Baby (2021)
- Fantasy Football (2022)
- Mea Culpa (2024)
- Television
- Clash of the Choirs (2007)
- The X Factor UK (2011)
- The X Factor USA (2013)
- Chasing Destiny (2016)
- The Voice Australia (2017–2020)
- American Soul (2019)
- The Voice UK (2026–)
See also
In Spanish: Kelly Rowland para niños
- List of best-selling singles
- List of artists who reached number one in the United States
