Former Destiny’s Child, Kelly Rowland, recently found herself in a bit of bother. It all started after a heated exchange with a security guard just doing her job at the 2024 Cannes Festival. The incident went viral fast and sparked a debate on whether or not her diva-like actions were justified. To be clear, we’re talking about how the star decided to defend her ‘personal boundaries’.
It was May 22nd 2024, and Rowland was attending the premiere of ‘Marcello Mio’. She was heading up the red carpet when the female security guard came in close and tried to guide her up the stairs. The resulting confrontation was witnessed by everyone there and rather unfortunately, captured on video, as Rowland stood with finger wagging, scolding the guard.
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Kelly Claims Her Boundaries Were Crossed
In defense of her action, which didn’t look especially glamourous, she told the Associated Press, ‘The woman knows what happened. I know what happened.’ She explained that she had boundaries and stood by them, adding the justification ‘…and that is it’.
There was a mixed reaction. Some defended her stance against what they regarded as aggressive action. As an insider pointed out, the Cannes security staff had been overly aggressive that evening and by the time Rowland reached this one, she had simply had enough.
Although some saw her actions as somewhat diva-ish, Rowland herself emphasized the incident was more about respect and boundaries. The guard’s colleagues put a different spin on things in a Daily Mail report, stating she was under pressure to keep things moving and ‘doing her job’.
Kelly Rowland’s Diva Behavior
However, this isn’t the first time Rowland has defended diva behavior. In 2008, she defended Madonna’s demands during Radio 1’s Big Weekend for specific kinds of water and for allowing her entourage to help themselves to the food and drink reserved for other artists. It was a notably diva-like defense that included the memorable snap, ‘If Madonna only wants red Skittles, then get her red Skittles. She’s freakin’ Madonna!’ A comment that at the least reveals her stance on stardom and stars and their oft times, weird and wonderful demands.
No change in 2024 then. Rowland walked off the set of the Today show. She didn’t like her dressing room, but it didn’t go that well when she made an appearance. In another instance, she walked off the set because she wanted to talk about herself, not Beyoncé, which seems reasonable. She defended her right to set boundaries then, too. Only this time, about interview topics. Her fanbase stood by her.
After all, why would she want to talk about what Beyoncé was doing even if Beyoncé’s father, Mathew Knowles, had been Destiny’s Child’s manager? In his eyes, Rowland was a ‘sweetheart’, and definitely not a diva.
As it is, there are many others who reject the diva claim too. They argue that her actions have been misrepresented and blown out of proportion and that she is, in fact, a very hardworking professional with a lovely nature.
