Earlier this week, Kelly Rowland made headlines after reportedly walking off the Today Show due to dissatisfaction with the “dumpy” condition of the dressing rooms.
The unexpected departure left producers scrambling, and fellow singer Rita Ora quickly stepped in to fill the spot. While neither Kelly nor the show has officially commented on the incident, the backstage drama has sparked widespread discussion among fans and viewers.
Kelly left the Today show on Wednesday(Image: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)
The Today show descended into chaos after Kelly Rowland walked out, leaving Rita Ora to pick up the pieces – but what exactly happened?
Rumors suggested the Destiny’s Child songstress was left less than impressed by the show’s “dumpy” dressing rooms, reportedly calling them “glorified closets”. The story was even ‘confirmed’ by host Hoda Kotb who addressed the ordeal on Thursday.
“I adore her, and I want her to come back on our show, and I want her to host again,” she said on-air. “She can share my dressing room, we’ll be in it together,” Kotb added, addressing the diva-like details – but now an insider claims “the story was spun”.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info
Rumors suggested Kelly hated the dressing rooms(Image: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)
Moments before her exit, Rowland was being interviewed by Savannah Guthrie. Instead of discussing her new movie Mea Culpa, conversation quickly turned to Beyonce. “What do you think about your friend Beyonce?” she was asked.
“I’m so proud of her,” Kelly replied before she was asked again about the Lemonade hitmaker’s move into country music. “Were you surprised and what do you think about it?” Again, Rowland replied, “I’m so proud of her – so happy for her.”
Now sources say Kelly felt “disrespected” by the “aggressive” questioning. “Kelly was offended that Savannah repeatedly and aggressively asked her about Beyonce,” an insider told The Wrap. “Kelly was upset about Savannah’s aggressive questioning about Beyonce. She and her team were not happy and felt disrespected.”
They claimed her exit had nothing to do with the dressing rooms, adding: “The story was spun that Kelly didn’t like her dressing room, but she has been on the Today show numerous times, she and her team know the dressing room set up.”
Kelly was quizzed about Beyonce’s new music(Image: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)
Hoda admitted feeling “bummed” that Rowland left the NBC program on Wednesday, hoping that she would give them another chance. “I was bummed. I love Kelly. We love Kelly,” the co-anchor told Entertainment Tonight.
“She’s one of our all-time faves, and there’s no one who’s more gracious or graceful than Kelly.” Hoda told the outlet she’s been texting Kelly in a bid to get her back on the show, revealing: “We’ve been texting back and forth and I gave her a call.”
“I said, ‘Come on, girl. We’re waiting. We’ll do a re-do’, So, hopefully we’ll do a re-do.”