Kelly Rowland Walked Off The Today Show After A "Forbidden" Beyonce Question Was Asked

Destiny's Child was one of the biggest girl groups in the early 2000s. The group earned a ton of hit singles and amassed a large fan base worldwide.

The group made a star out of Beyoncé, who would go on to have a massively successful solo career. Beyoncé has become an icon of her generation and continues to release new music. She even has a country-themed album set for release this year.

However, when Beyoncé's former bandmate Kelly Rowland was interviewed for Today, she didn't seem too thrilled when asked about the singer. Reports suggest she abruptly walked off the show because of the questions. The hosts themselves, however, have told a different story.

Rumors Surface That Kelly Rowland Was Upset When Asked About Beyoncé On 'Today'

When Kelly Rowland appeared on Today in 2024, she was promoting her role in the Tyler Perry film Mea Culpa. However, it seemed like the team over at Today had other topics in mind.

"What do you think about your friend Beyoncé?" Today co-host Savannah Guthrie asked Rowland during their interview.

Rowland responded, "I'm so proud of her."

The host pressed further regarding the singer's new music, asking, "I know, but were you surprised and what do you think about it?"

"I'm so proud of her," Rowland replied. "So happy for her."

According to TheWrap, Rowland ensures an agreement ahead of her interviews that she won't be asked about Beyoncé or Destiny's Child. The outlet reported that this line of questioning caused her to abruptly walk off the show earlier than scheduled.

In another interview with Atlanta radio station V-103, Rowland made it clear she didn't want to be asked about Beyoncé during The Big Tigger Morning Show with Jazzy McBee.

"Your sis just dropped a whole new couple of songs, and it’s my understanding that 'Renaissance II' may or may not be country-based, and then there’s a rumor going around that 'Renaissance III' may be, either rock-based or a DC reunion," Big Tigger asked Rowland.

"That is her business to talk about, not mine," Rowland said.

"And I know that you all are tired of answering those questions, but fans like me for the Destiny’s Child reunion, it got me really excited … we still gotta ask every time we see you," Jazzy McBee said.

"I know, but just ask them," Rowland said. "I’m here talking about Mea Culpa, out February 23, and that’s what I’m most excited about right now. That’s that."

The 'Today' Hosts Suggested Kelly Had A Problem With Her Dressing Room

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Rowland was supposed to host a segment of Today with Hoda Kotb the same day as her interview. However, Page Six reported that Rowland and her team abruptly walked off the show after the singer was disappointed with her dressing room.

After Rowland's exit, the team reportedly had to rush to find a replacement. Singer Rita Ora came in and filled in at the last minute. Ora wrote on her Instagram that she "had two minutes" to prepare for the segment.

Kotb later spoke to Entertainment Tonight and said she would like Rowland to make another appearance on the show.

"There's no one who's more gracious or grateful than Kelly," the host said. "We've been texting back and forth. ... I gave her a call, I said, 'C'mon girl, we're waiting. We'll do a redo.'"

Kotb even addressed the issue on air, saying, "She can share my dressing room. We'll be together." She also said that "our dressing rooms are not the greatest." Kotb likened the dressing rooms to the ones normally found at Broadway venues.

"None of them are great," she said. "It's kind of the charm of the Today Show."

Rowland's representative neither confirmed nor denied that the dressing room played a role in her exit.

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Guthrie spoke with Entertainment Tonight and also admitted the dressing rooms were less-than-desirable.

"We need Extreme Makeover: Today Show Edition," Guthrie said. "We are in a historic studio — 1A — it's the same studio that has been used for decades. It's incredible, it's iconic and it's old ... if you want history, sometimes you're going to have a few little chips of paint coming off the walls."

She added, "We try to do our best, and hopefully the main thing is how people feel and the reception they get. I hope they feel the warm hug from all of us on the show, because we're really grateful for our guests for coming."

Beyoncé Supported Kelly By Attending The Premiere Of Her Film 'Mea Culpa'

Beyoncé herself decided to step out in support of Rowland by attending the New York premiere of Mea Culpa. Beyoncé showed up with her mother, Tina Knowles, her cousin, Angie Beyince, and her husband, Jay-Z. The singer also shared several photos from the night on Instagram.

"Dats my best friend! Dats my best friend!!!!! So proud of you Kelly," Beyoncé wrote.

And while Rowland didn't seem too thrilled being asked about Beyoncé while promoting the film, it seems that isn't always the case.

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While speaking on the red carpet premiere of Bob Marley: One Love, Rowland was asked by Entertainment Tonight about Beyoncé's artistry being "ahead of the curve."

"She is an icon, the icon that she is, and that’s for a reason. It’s because she starts trends," Rowland said. "She is innovative, her thoughts are big and bright and she just jumps for them and does it."

Rowland also shared Jay-Z's sentiments that Beyoncé was overlooked for the Album of the Year trophy at the Grammy Awards.

"I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than everyone, and never won album of the year," he said during an acceptance speech. "So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work."

Rowland said that Beyoncé's albums are a reflection of her innovations and "should be really celebrated in that way -- album of the year a couple times."