Kelly Rowland At 40: A Look Back At Her Career Highlights

By JC Villamere. 10 Feb 2021 3:27 PM

If we told you Kelly Rowland had sold 40 million albums, you’d say, “Of course she has. She was in Destiny’s Child.” But what if we told you that she sold 40 million albums as a solo artist? Because she did. She sold another 60 million records as part of Destiny’s Child. On the occasion of her 40th birthday on Feb. 10, 2021, we’re looking back at this phenomenal talent’s most memorable career moments.

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She's An OG Destiny's Child
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She's an original member of Destiny's Child, one of the most successful girl groups of all time. Sure, the Destiny's Child we all know and love was a trio comprised of Rowland, Beyoncé Knowles and Michelle Williams. But in the Grammy-winning group's formative years, it went through a slew of names and several personnel changes. Members LaTavia Roberson, LeToya Luckett, and Farrah Franklin came and went, and Williams was the last member to join the trio as we know it. Rowland and Beyoncé have been in the group since the beginning.
Say Her Name
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Her breakthrough album with Destiny's Child, 1999's 'The Writing's on the Wall', contained the hit singles "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Jumpin' Jumpin'". It also featured the song "Say My Name", which won the Grammys for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 2001. 'The Writing's on the Wall' has sold more than 15 million copies worldwide.
She's The Boo Who Sings 'Bootylicious'
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Rowland's on lead vocals on one of Destiny's Child's signature hits. "Bootylicious" is the third single from the trio's 2001 record 'Survivor'. The album debuted at #1 and has since sold over 12 million copies.
Hitting #1
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During a Destiny's Child hiatus in 2002, Rowland was featured on Nelly's #1 smash hit, "Dilemma". The collab became one of the most successful singles of the year, topping charts around the world. The track earned the duo the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Rowland's first #1 as a solo artist sold over 7 million copies.
Taking Flight
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A French DJ and music producer was Rowland's next collaborator. David Guetta's "When Love Takes Over feat. Kelly Rowland" was the lead single from his fourth record, 2009's 'One Love'. The song became Rowland's second big hit without her Destiny's Child sisters. The track's remix won a Grammy in the category of Best Non-Classical, Remixed Recording.
She's Every Woman
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Starting in 2002, Rowland got really into acting. She's racked up dozens of screen credits. She was Carly on "The Hughleys", Cleo on "Eve", and she played Martha Reeves on "American Dreams". In 2003, she starred as Kia Waterson in the hit horror flick "Freddy vs. Jason" (pictured). In 2005, Rowland starred in the likeable rom-com "The Seat Filler". The following year, she was Tammy Hamilton on "Girlfriends". In the 2012 hit "Think Like a Man", she played Brenda, plus she recorded "Need a Reason" with Future and Bei Maejor for the soundtrack.
Building An Empire
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Remember Lucious Lyon's mother, Leah Walker, in his flashbacks on "Empire"? That's Rowland, too!
Only Kelly Can Judge You
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Rowland has also appeared on screen as a judge in singing competition shows like "The X Factor USA" and "The Voice Australia". Here, she greets fans of "The X Factor USA" in 2013.
Here She Is
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You remember the hits "Commander" and "Down for Whatever"? They're from Rowland's 2011 album, 'Here I Am'. It debuted at #1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The record also included the hit Lil Wayne collab "Motivation", which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
The Philanthropist
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In 2008, Rowland officially became an ambassador for MTV's Staying Alive Foundation, aiming to reduce stigma against people living with HIV and AIDS. Rowland launched her own charity in 2010. I Heart My Girlfriends focuses on self-esteem, date violence prevention, community service, abstinence, sports, drug avoidance, obesity, disabilities, and education.
Get Ready For That Jelly
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When Beyonce played the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2013, Rowland and fellow Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams joined her to perform "Bootylicious", "Independent Women", and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)". Fans freaked out and were, in fact, not ready for that jelly.
She Wrote The Book On Motherhood
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Last month, Rowland gave birth to a son with husband Tim Weatherspoon. Baby Noah Jon Weatherspoon is a little brother for their oldest son Titan Jewell Weatherspoon, who was born in 2014.
It was Titan that inspired Rowland's 2017 book, "Whoa, Baby!: A Guide for New Moms Who Feel Overwhelmed and Freaked Out (and Wonder What the #*$& Just Happened)". If you're wondering if this book goes there, it does.
OGs Who Play Together, Stay Together
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And they have tea parties together. And those tea parties are part of Beyonce's 2020 Disney+ film, "Black Is King". That's Bey's mom, Tina Knowles, at the head of the table. We hope Ms. Rowland enjoys her 40th birthday virtually surrounded with badass mothers like these. And her kids. And her husband. And us, ideally. Can we come?

Kelly Rowland At 40: A Look Back At Her Career Highlights

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