Kelly Rowland gets ‘gorgeous’ dressing room from Sherri Shepherd after ‘Today’ drama
For Kelly Rowland, daytime host Sherri Shepherd is the “light, positive energy” she needed.
On Monday, the “Mea Culpa” star praised the “Sherri” host as she promoted her upcoming Netflix film. Before getting into the details of her erotic thriller, Rowland told the TV host, “We needed you.”
The singer-actor voiced her gratitude for Shepherd days after she reportedly walked out of NBC’s “Today” show last week. The former Destiny’s Child artist was set to appear alongside “Today” host Hoda Kotb on Thursday but dropped out last minute, allegedly leaving Kotb and her “Today” team scrambling to find a replacement. Ultimately, singer Rita Ora joined Kotb for the segment.
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It’s unclear why exactly Rowland left the “Today” show, but sources reportedly familiar with the drama offered Page Six and the Wrap different reasons. On Friday, Page Six reported that Rowland was disappointed by the dressing room reserved for her, citing sources who said she and her crew “were not happy” with what the daily show allegedly offered.
Citing “an individual with knowledge of the situation,” the Wrap reported on Wednesday that Rowland was allegedly offended by “Today” host Savannah Guthrie’s questions about her Destiny’s Child collaborator Beyoncé and her new music, breaching an alleged agreement Rowland had in place for interviews. Another source also told the Wrap that the dressing room was the reason for Rowland’s exit.
Amid the drama, a representative for Rowland shared a statement with Entertainment Tonight: “After 28 years of knowing her, Kelly Rowland remains one of the kindest, most amiable humans I have ever met and have had the blessing to represent.”
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“Scary Movie” star Marlon Wayans also sent love Rowland’s way over the weekend, praising his “Curse of Bridge Hollow” co-star as “sweet, kind, professional” in an Instagram post.
He continued: “Not one diva moment. S— happens in Hollywood. Get both sides before you castrate anymore legends. Love this woman.”
When Rowland came to “Sherri,” she was met with the Shepherd treatment — and it seems the TV host made sure of it. When an Instagram follower joked, “I guess her dressing room was acceptable” about Rowland, Shepherd commented, “oh we gave her a gorgeous room!❤.”
She continued: “It is Kelendria Rowland 🔥🔥🔥.”
Flexing the accommodations for Rowland even more, Shepherd’s team shared a video of the “Motivation” singer’s dressing room on Instagram. The clip sees Rowland, 43, and her crew relaxing in a vibrant room, decked out with a brightly patterned rug, a spacious couch, multiple plush chairs, a blue velvet ottoman and more.
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“A TIME WAS HAD with the legendary Kelly Rowland at the Sherri Show,” read the caption.
The TV account’s followers quickly caught onto the subtle “Today” shade. One follower commented, “Beautiful dressing room 😂❤” and another wrote, “Drops mic 🎤 and exit left! I know that’s right y’all!!! #dressingroomflex.”
On Tuesday morning, Kotb and “Today” co-host Jenna Bush Hager addressed the Rowland debacle, expressing their love for the “American Soul” star.
“I adore her, and I want her to come back on our show,” Kotb said. “She can share my dressing room. We’ll be together. I just want to say we love her. We’ve loved her on this show for many, many years.”
Netflix’s “Mea Culpa” premieres Friday and stars Rowland as a criminal defense attorney representing a potentially murderous artist. The film also stars Trevante Rhodes and is written and directed by Tyler Perry. Rowland is also a producer.
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