Kelly Rowland
Rowland in 2013, photo by Prphotos.com
Birth Name: Kelendria Trene Rowland
Place of Birth: Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Date of Birth: February 11, 1981
Ethnicity: African-American
Kelly Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality. She was a member of top-selling R&B girl group Destiny’s Child, along with Beyoncé, Michelle Williams, and also originally LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson. Along with her group mates, Kelly has won multiple Grammy Awards and has sold more than 50 million records worldwide. She has recorded a number of solo albums. Her roles include the films Freddy vs. Jason, The Seat Filler, Think Like a Man, Bad Hair, Black Is King, Fantasy Football, The Curse of Bridge Hollow, Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé, Mea Culpa, and Relationship Goals; the made-for-tv movies Love by the 10th Date, Merry Liddle Christmas, Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding, and Merry Liddle Christmas Baby; and the series The Hughleys, American Dreams, Girlfriends, Empire, American Soul, L.A.’s Finest, and Grown-ish. She has been a host or coach on the shows The Fashion Show, The X Factor, Everybody Dance Now, Chasing Destiny, and The Voice.
Kelly is the daughter of Doris Rowland Garrison and Christopher Lovett. She is married to her manager Tim Weatherspoon, with whom she has two children. An interview with Kelly and her father can be seen here.
Kelly grew up inspired by Whitney Houston and sang in the church choir. She was raised in Houston, where she met Beyoncé. Beyoncé’s parents Mathew and Tina agreed to provide legal guardianship over Kelly. In the early ’90s, Kelly and Beyoncé performed as part of the band Girl’s Tyme. By 1997, the group had signed a record deal with Columbia under the name Destiny’s Child, managed by Beyoncé’s father.
Kelly’s surname Rowland is Scottish, found in Ayrshire, Scotland.
Kelly’s maternal grandfather was James Edward Rowland, Jr. (the son of James Edward Rowland/Roland and Ruby/Rubie Lucille Terrell). Kelly’s grandfather James was born in Greensboro, Georgia, to parents who were also born there. Ruby was the daughter of Anderson Terrell and Carrie Cosby.
Kelly’s maternal grandmother was Ella Mae Dowdy (the daughter of William Dowdy and Bessie Edwards). Ella was born in Athens, Georgia. William was the son of Samuel Dowdy and Lea Watkins.
Sources: http://www.biography.com
Kelly’s maternal grandfather, James Edward Rowland, Jr., on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Kelly’s maternal great-grandmother, Ruby/Rubie Lucille Terrell, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Kelly’s maternal grandfather James Edward Rowland Jr. was born in Greensboro, Georgia, and was the son of James Edward Rowland Sr. and Ruby Lucille Turner. Ruby was the daughter of Anderson Terrell and Carrie Cosby.
James Sr. on 1930 census – https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:37VD-P2M?lang=en
Ruby on 1920 census – https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJ6M-F5W?lang=en
Kelly’s maternal grandmother was Ella Mae Dowdy. Ella was born in Athens, Georgia. She was the daughter of William Dowdy and Bessie Edwards. William was the son of Samuel Dowdy and Lea Watkins.