She first came to our attention as a member of late-90s music group Destiny’s Child, but she’s recently been carving out her own path in the spotlight and on screen.

With her portrayal as the lead character in Tyler Perry’s Netflix hit Mea Culpa, Kelly Rowland has proven that she’s a force in the film industry too. Her unwavering dedication to artistic evolution and personal empowerment has cemented her as a Hollywood powerhouse.  

Kelly’s remarkable journey began when she joined up with Beyoncé Knowles and Michelle Williams in girl-power group Destiny’s Child. With songs like ‘Say My Name’ and ‘Survivor’, their sound redefined the landscape of contemporary music.  

Looking back at those years, Kelly told the Daily Telegraph, “When you think about the history of girl groups… I won’t say all but some, which are the stories we always hear about – some aren’t the best-ending situations. But with Destiny’s Child, we did a great job of supporting each other and being there and still remaining close, so that’s what I’m most proud of us for.”  

Following the success of Destiny’s Child, all three embarked on solo singing careers – somewhat overshadowed by the meteoric rise of ‘Queen B’. But Kelly did have several hit singles, including ‘Work’, ‘Kisses Down Low’ and ‘Motivation’. Her debut album Simply Deep, released in 2002, included the hit ‘Dilemma’ with rapper Nelly, which won a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. She went on to record three more albums.  

Moving beyond the recording studio, the singing sensation ventured into acting (making a handful of films) and was a sought-after judge on TV shows like Clash of the Choirs, X-Factor and The Voice Australia. Then Tyler Perry came knocking… 

In Tyler Perry’s erotic psycho-thriller, Kelly delivers a riveting lead performance as Mea Harper, a mysterious criminal-defence attorney who reluctantly takes on a high-profile murder case and is drawn into an intense infatuation with a dangerous man.  

Tyler praised her portrayal during a Netflix press tour, saying he’d been a fan of hers for a long time. “I wanted to work with her. She’s stunningly beautiful, so I knew the camera loved her in every shot, but I wanted to make sure that she could deliver. I’ve watched some things that she’d done in the past and I knew  it was all there. She’s truly a leading lady, and I’m hoping that everybody who sees it, every director out there who’s looking for someone to play a role, they’re calling her up.”

For Kelly, the film represents more than a career milestone; it is a testament to her persistence over two decades in the entertainment industry. In an interview with ComingSoon, she said, “I was honoured that Tyler trusted me with that space – it was a journey. I remember being very nervous at first, but the more I was there, the more I found my footing. I can’t wait to do it again.”  

The film has already made waves on Netflix; within a week of its release, it was the most-watched movie in the US and globally.  

As a veteran of the entertainment industry, Kelly has had plenty of ups and downs, but has stuck with a piece of advice she received early on in her career. “Outwork everybody,” she told The Sydney Morning Herald. “So many people want the same thing or have the same dream you do, and what separates you from everyone else is your work ethic. There’s always room to work harder.”  

Beyond the glitz and glam of Hollywood, the star’s most important role is that of devoted wife and mother. Kelly wed her manager, Tim Weatherspoon, in 2014, and they are proud parents of two boys – Titan, born in 2014, and Noah, born in 2021.  

The working mom acknowledges the importance of female empowerment. In an interview with Elle UK, she said she hopes to instil in her boys the values of respect, while giving them room to be the best versions of themselves. “Respect, that’s a really big one for me – to be able to respect a woman’s strength and not be intimidated by it.” 

As Kelly evolves as an actor, artist and woman, her star continues to rise. With years of dedication to her craft, two children and a successful career, there’s no doubt we will be hearing about Kelly Rowland for years to come. 

Keep up with Kelly

Instagram: @kellyrowland
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TikTok: kellyrowland

Text: Leah Dennis
Photos: Gallo/Getty Images