When it premieres on Wednesday night, Empire Season 2 has a lot to live up to after Season 1 totally rocked our TVs and worlds when it debuted earlier this year. The FOX drama series will have some awesome guest stars to bring the show to a whole other level: Mariah Carey, Chris Rock, and Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland, who will play Lucious' mother on Empire in flashblacks. Aside from that awesome new gig, what has Rowland been up to? Well, she's been making music and, according to some sources, hanging out with an old friend named Beyoncé.
Empire won't be Rowland's first acting role — she has also appeared in the movies Freddy Vs. Jason and Think Like A Man, so she's plenty equipped to take on the task to be Lucious Lyon's momma. Back in the early 2000s, Rowland was part of the R&B trio Destiny's Child with Beyonce, and Michelle Williams. Together, they gave pop culture hit songs like "Bills, Bills, Bills," "Say My Name," "Suvivor," and "Booylicious." During her own solo career, she has sold more than 27 million records and had a hit song with EDM DJ David Guetta. And outside of work, Rowland got married and started a family.
Here's more about what Rowland has been up to since Destiny's Child, right after this Empire recap video to help you get ready for Season 2.
Got Married & Had A Son
Last year was a big year for Rowland, who married manager Tim Witherspoon in May 2014. One month later, she announced she was pregnant and in November, she had her son, Titan Jewell Witherspoon. What a sweet family.
Served As A Judge On The X-Factor
Rowland sat in the judge's chair for the eighth season of The X Factor UK and for the final season of The X Factor US. "She's great fun, incredibly professional, very hardworking, smart and always, always on it," says the hard-to-impress Simon Cowell about Rowland in the video above.
Hanging With Beyoncé
These Destiny's Child bandmates still hangout together — isn't that cool? According the the UK's Daily Mail, Rowland joined Beyoncé and Jay Z on a family trip to Monaco. During the summer, Rowland, Solange Knowles, Missy Elliott, and Bey partied it up on July 4 at St. Heron's 17 Wards Weekend Wine & Grind for the Essence Festival in New Orleans.
Performing
In addition to performing with Bey at the 2013 Super Bowl halftime show, Rowland has been touring all over the world, playing concerts in Egypt (above), Paris, and more.
On The Cover Of Essence Magazine
Back in April, Rowland and her family graced the cover of the magazine. "My road to my happiness hasn't been an easy one," she told the magazine. "It hasn't been peachy all the time, but I am so, so happy."
Making Music
Rowland has made some lasting connections throughout her career, including on The X Factor. In fact, she collaborated with former contestant Jacob Whitesides for the song "I Know What You Did Last Summer," which was released last month. In 2014, Rowland and Beyoncé provided vocals for Michelle Williams' song "Say Yes," and Rowland also appeared in Bey's videos for "Grown Woman" and "Superpower."
Sounds like Rowland has a whole empire of her own.
Image: Chuck Hodes/FOX
