Beyonce Knowles Seen Shooting 'Secret' Video in New Orleans

TheBoombox.com:

Beyonce is ready to shock-and-awe her fans again. It’s been two years since Bey dropped her surprise self-titled album and now she was spotted shooting a video in New Orleans.

Bey and her camera crew were seen at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans as an onlooker caught it. Her hubby, Jay Z, was in attendance as well.

It’s unclear what the new video will be about since the singer is usually mum about her personal life and new projects, but if it’s anything like her past work, we’re sure it’s going to be epic.

And fans have already started concocting theories on what it might be. “Definitely A Album. Christmas Or Tina’s Birthday. Fingers Crossed!” wrote one fan in the comments section of the video. (Her mom, Tina Knowles, has a birthday coming up on Jan. 4). “I’m just waiting for the new album announcement,” wrote another.

In any case, we’re likely to learn what’s what on Beyonce’s time since several sources say she had the street cameras turned off in the entire area to keep it under wraps.

Mathew Knowles Says He’s Not Being Sued by Daughter Beyoncé

TheRoot.com:

Mathew Knowles is shooting down rumors that his eldest daughter, Beyoncé, is planning to take him to court over ownership of the Destiny's Child brand.

On Friday a story in In Touch Weekly stated that Beyoncé wanted rights to the name and was willing to take her father to court over it. In a statement to ET, Knowles said that the rumors are just that and are untrue.

"These dangerous rumors defame my family name," Knowles said. "They have no validity and hold no merit."

"There are many other important topics needing America's attention," he added. "No one needs more unnecessary negativity. Media like this needs to get on higher ground. I, for one, am focusing on lectures and seminars that help people achieve something positive and achieve better lives."

Beyoncé Knowles Plans to Take Father to Court Over Destiny’s Child

InTouchWeekly.com:

In Touch has exclusively learned that Beyoncé plans to take her father, Mathew Knowles, to court over ownership of the Destiny's Child brand.

The 34-year-old singer fired Mathew as her manager more than four years ago, but he still owns the rights to their name and music — and she wants them back.

“She’s ready to take action,” a source tells In Touch. “Beyoncé is going to sue her own father. She’ll take him to court to show that she deserves the rights to her own band.”

“She feels he basically stole the group and the [trademark] on Destiny’s Child,” the source explains of the band, which was originally called Girl’s Tyme — until Mathew took over as their manager and renamed them.

Mathew, 63, is believed to own at least 25 percent of the Destiny’s Child brand, although the source tells the mag it’s closer to 100 percent because he set up certain contract terms that favor his own stake in Kelly [Rowland], 34, Michelle [Williams], 35, and Beyoncé’s careers.

Michelle Williams Interview @ 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards Red Carpet | M&M Live Radio

Beyoncé Knowles Lights Up New York City with a Crazy Christmas Outfit

LaineyGossip.com:

We’ll get back to the Star Wars posts later. Because Beyoncé stepped out last night. And it’s been a couple of weeks since we’ve seen (and not heard) from her from her.

Check out B in New York leaving her office after what looks to be a holiday party. She’s dressed for it. Ridiculous? I guess. Ridiculous but also a super cute outfit? Um, yeah. It’s the striped turtleneck dress underneath that anchors it. With the booties. So that whatever’s going on top, with all the ornaments and the funky glasses, feels disposal but just fun.

As mentioned in yesterday’s open – click here for a refresher – 2015 was not a noisy year for Beyoncé. Seems like she’s closing it out quietly too. The more silent she is though, you get the sense the louder it’ll be when she finally returns. Because it’s not like you don’t know Beyoncé. And the awareness of Beyoncé when it comes to Beyoncé. She’s not going to build us up so hungry and come back with a little squeak.

For those of you wondering about Jay Z, he was there too for the party, and was photographed leaving the building shortly after her.

Kelly Rowland Won't Be Spoiling Her Son This Christmas

PageSix.com:

Shhhhh . . . singer Kelly Rowland’s young son Titan may very well be getting some recycled gifts from last Christmas.

The former Destiny’s Child member told us she doesn’t plan to spend much over this holiday season.

“He’s gotten so much stuff in one year. When he was born, he was set for next Christmas,” Kelly said of Titan, who turned 1 year old last month.

“We’re going to honestly pull some of those toys out and wrap them . . . He’ll be set until he’s 3,” she quipped.

Titan has allowed his mom to bond further with her other famous pals like Beyoncé and La La Anthony.

“Well, we definitely have more things to talk about now, but we don’t consume our conversations with our babies,” she said.

Meanwhile, she’s on the hunt for the next big girl group with a new BET series “Chasing Destiny.”

“It’s a documentary about nurturing the evolution of a girl group. I want to pass the torch — if the group is worthy,” she said.

As for her old group, Rowland said she’s tired of being asked, “When is there going to be another [Destiny’s Child] reunion?”

But, “I would ask the same question,” she admits.

Watch a 7-Year-Old Beyoncé Knowles Perform ‘Home’ From The Wiz

TIME.com:

This vintage clip of a young girl named Beyoncé Knowles performing a song from The Wiz was uploaded in 2013, but is making the rounds once again — probably thanks to NBC’s recent live version.

Skip ahead to the 50 second mark to see tiny Bey killing it in a sparkly Dorothy outfit. There are some audio issues at first, but about 30 seconds later, you’ll be able to hear her more clearly. Even at 7, Bey is brimming with confidence and charisma.

“She asked me backstage if I’d sign something for her,” the host says after Bey’s performance, “but frankly I better get her to sign something for me now before she starts charging for it.”

Kelly Rowland Interview with The Breakfast Club

Beyoncé Knowles Taking Acting Lessons, Hopes To Land High-Profile Film Roles

NYDailyNews.com:

Queen Bey could soon be ruling a different domain.

Beyoncé is currently taking acting lessons in hopes of jumpstarting a high-profile film career, Us Weekly is reporting.

"She wants to land leading roles in movies and has been taking classes in New York and L.A. for the past year," a source tells the magazine.

The "Drunk in Love" singer has appeared in several films through the years and even earned a Best Actress nomination at the 2006 Golden Globes for her role in "Dreamgirls."

But the 34-year-old star reportedly hopes to move beyond her musical roles and is far more interested in starring in something serious.

Kelly Rowland Is 'Chasing Destiny' With BET

Billboard.com:

BET and Kelly Rowland have now locked in the title and premiere date for the singer’s televised quest to find the next superstar female group. Chasing Destiny will premiere on April 5, 2016 (10 p.m.-11 p.m. ET).

As a card-carrying original member of Destiny’s Child -- ranked by Billboard as the No. 3 girl group of all time --Rowland knows a little something about the dynamics behind a successful act. As does award-winning choreographer/creative director Frank Gatson, who will join Rowland as a recurring character on the 10 one-hour episodes comprising Chasing Destiny. In addition to his long-running association with Beyoncé and Rowland, Gatson has worked with Michael Jackson, Usher and Jennifer Lopez. Rowland also doubles as executive producer of the Den of Thieves production, together with Jesse Ignjatovic, Evan Prager, Tim Weatherspoon, Danny Rose and Jason Sands.

Last Saturday afternoon (Dec. 5) in Los Angeles, Rowland and Gatson put a contingent of hopefuls through their paces at Henson Studios. It was the third in a series of casting calls, preceded by stops in New York and Atlanta. Repping key chapters in the diva songbook, candidates emoted their way through hits by Aretha Franklin (“[You Make Me Feel Like] A Natural Woman”), Anita Baker (“Sweet Love”), Whitney Houston (“I Want to Dance With Somebody”), Alicia Keys (“If I Ain’t Got You”) and Sia (“Chandelier”).

“We’re seeing rough cuts of diamonds right now. That’s how I like to picture it,” says Rowland during a break between auditions. “You can’t expect somebody to come in polished. And that’s the most exciting part: being able to be part of that molding process.” 

How did the idea for Chasing Destiny come about?
This was my and Frank’s idea. We were going to do this whether TV cameras were with us or not. We were going to have our own cameras. But after talking to Stephen (BET president of programming Hill), he said he’d like to be a part of the show. I was just happy that he saw how necessary a girl group is just as much as we do. Because there’s only only one out there now, Fifth Harmony.

Why are girl groups still necessary?
One of the things I loved about being in Destiny’s Child was little girls seeing us travel together, sing together, talk together, hang out together. It shows camaraderie, friendship and to me that’s missing. This is such a selfie-absorbed society. We need to see more of girls getting along. It’s not just about being an individual. You need friends to depend on. And I need these young ladies to know that still exists. And if they can see that in a group… that is the ultimate goal.

What’s surprised you the most at the auditions?
Just how many girls want to be in a group. Like today, I saw this one girl, who needs it. It’s not about for her talent as much as it is for her spirit. That’s what Destiny’s Child did for me. My mom was a nanny and we moved from place to place. For me, being in a group was stability. That was something I needed in my world. So it’s not just about what we can possibly do for these girls but what these girls can possibly do for themselves -- and changing the rest of their lives.

Farrah Franklin Needs To Let Go Of Her Destiny's Child Beef

VH1.com:

At one point do you inhale, exhale, shoop-shoop and let a six-month period of your life go? For Farrah Franklin, the answer is 15 years and counting. The former member of Destiny’s Child did a recent interview with VladTV about her very short time in the legendary R&B group, only I struggle with the purpose of revisiting an issue she’s already addressed quite a few times over the years. With people like Wendy Williams, circa the radio years; in magazines like Sister 2 Sister magazine; on many a random blog over time. 

I say this with the best intentions: Girl, move on. 


As it stands now, Beyoncé, the solo artist, is an international superstar who is five albums into what has been one of the most successful careers in music history. Kelly Rowland has released multiple solo albums and is presently filming a television show centered on creating a new girl group for BET. Michelle Williams, has released solo music for both the secular and gospel fields, has acted on Broadway and has done some television work, too. Then there are the other former members of the group like LeToya Luckett, who released two very good solo albums (including one platinum release) and has created very steady work as an actress. And while she acted as if she was allergic to singing on the reality show R&B Divas: Atlanta, even LaTavia Roberson reemerged to the public and found herself something to do. And you know, Farrah has done some things, too. 

If memory serves, Franklin was briefly signed to Fabolous’ label, but did release solo tracks like “Get At Me” featuring Method Man. She had a cute cover on Smooth magazine. 

That is no shade. I mean it.

Wait, she just put out a new song and video in the summer. She should be talking more about that. Hell, talk about being on Millionaire Matchmaker. Just don’t talk about Destiny’s Child anymore. She was being goaded into talking about something that happened 15 years ago and was clearly still feeling a ways about it.

I understand that Farrah may have been mistreated during her stint, but enough. She essentially had a shitty job albeit a high profile, high paying one. It sucks that it ended, but think of it this way: children born the year she was in Destiny’s Child – again, for five damn months or so – now have learner’s permits. Would you still be talking about this?

Also make note that Farrah was in one music video and breathed a little bit on “Independent Women (Part One).” That’s more than many will accomplish in music, but it’s not exactly the kind of experience that should encourage anyone to keep two-stepping inside of a time machine.

Let’s put this in further perspective.

Beyonce doesn’t about Matthew Knowles anymore. Kelly Rowland doesn’t talk about Mathew Knowles anymore. Michelle Williams doesn’t talk about Mathew Knowles anymore. LeToya Luckett doesn’t talk about Mathew Knowles anymore. LaTavia Roberson doesn’t talk about Mathew Knowles anymore. 

None of these women are still doing extensive interviews about something that happened 15 years ago although each of them easily has more to say than Farrah Franklin. Michelle Williams and LeToya Luckett even get along now – and Michelle was her replacement in the group. Likewise, Kelly Rowland and LeToya Luckett have since done interviews together. 

Mathew Knowles doesn’t even talk about Mathew Knowles that much anymore.

Everyone has moved on. Farrah, do yourself a favor and quit it. It’s over. It’s been over. God bless, though.

Listen to Beyoncé Knowles' Collaboration with Coldplay

The Verge

For Coldplay's upcoming album — out this Friday — one of the world's biggest bands asked one of the world's biggest artists to join forces. Beyoncé has collaborated with the band on new track "Hymn for the Weekend," which you can listen to below, after the song got its first play on BBC Radio yesterday. Guy Berryman, Coldplay's bassist, said that Beyoncé was ultra professional when it came to recording her parts for the song, telling BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac that the singer was "in and out in five minutes." 

Sadly, it shows. Even blessed with the soaring voice of Queen Bey, Chris Martin's trademark bleats still dominate the mix, the Coldplay vocalist relegating his guest star to back-up duties. Beyoncé's main contribution comes in the song's outro, in which she threatens to "shoot across the sky," after spending the rest of the song quietly adding ethereal texture to Martin's main vocal lines.