Unlike the rest of her former band-mates, who parted ways with Mathew Knowles quietly, singer LaTavia Roberson is speaking out again about the Destiny’s Child boss. In a recent interview with UK’s tabloid, The Mirror, LaTavia says Mr. Knowles made Kelly Rowland cry plus she opened up about the pay difference and always rehearsing.
“We used to call him Joe Jackson. It’s not like he beat us or anything, but he was very strict,” LaTavia told the tabloid. “Beyonce was the only one brave enough to stand up to him. We worked really hard. It was rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. That’s what our days consisted of. Looking back, working that hard did cost us our childhood. But at the time were just focused on living out our dreams.”
Kelly Rowland was at the butt of Knowles “strict” treatment, as LaTavia adds that he made her cry.
“He was very hard on her. He bawled at her after a gig in Atlanta in 1997. ‘Where were you tonight Kelly? I watched you mess up 12 steps,” he said. Kelly was the sensitive one so she would go to her room and cry.”
It’s obvious that Kelly Rowland became a stronger woman throughout the group’s international run with her newfound solo success. LaTavia adds: “She is an inspiration to anyone, and I am glad to call her my friend.”
This friendship took awhile to rebuild after LaTavia was dropped from the group. “My one regret is that I should have spoken to Beyonce and Kelly before I sent the letter [requesting new management],” she says. “That is the one thing I would have done different. I would have gone to my sisters and discussed it with them. After that, we didn’t speak for many years.”
LaTavia also touched on the group’s payment, insisting it seemed like Beyonce and Kelly were getting the bulk of the money.
“Things seemed unfair. Beyonce and Kelly had cars,” she says. “I’m not saying paychecks were any different, but Mathew used to say a lot of crazy things like: Y’all should be glad I’m giving you money.”
Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
