Kelly Rowland

Beginning her industry career alongside Beyonce Knowles as a member of the Houston-based pop/R&B group Destiny’s Child, Kelendria Trene Rowland has an impressive five Grammy Awards, 16 Billboard Music Awards, 15 Soul Train Awards four American Music Awards and her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — among many other accolades — to her name.

Also an actress and TV personality who appeared as a judge on Simon Cowell’s The X Factor, Rowland released her solo debut disc, Simply Deep, in 2002 during a hiatus from best-selling girl group Destiny’s Child, buoyed by the success of its No. 1 single “Dilemma” featuring Nelly. When Destiny’s Child parted ways in 2005, Rowland continued her solo music career, releasing three additional albums: Ms. Kelly in 2007, Here I Am in 2011 and Talk a Good Game in 2013.

Citing Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson as early musical influences, Rowland continues to maintain her longstanding friendship with Beyonce and her sister, Solange Knowles.

The “Kisses Down Low” singer announced in December 2013 that her manager and boyfriend, Tim Witherspoon, had proposed to her — via Skype. This will be Rowland’s first marriage. The singer was previously engaged to football player Roy Williams, but the couple parted ways in 2005, two months before their intended wedding date.