Twitter users praised Kelly Rowland this week after the singer responded to a comparison with best friend Beyoncé like a true legend.
On Wednesday, Rowland joined actor Marsai Martin for an appearance on the Hot 97 radio show “Ebro in the Morning” to discuss their new movie, “Fantasy Football.”
On the show, host Peter Rosenberg suggested that Rowland played “second to Beyoncé” during their time together in the group Destiny’s Child.
“Everyone who gets in the entertainment business gets into it to be ‘the man,’” he said. “It does take an ego check. And you happen to be standing next to the brightest light on planet earth.”
He added, “Not only did you not fight it; it seems like you really loved the position that you were in and took it seriously.”
“Here’s the thing: light attracts light. I am light,” Rowland responded.
“I am a beautiful brown shining light. So I don’t think anybody’s light dims anyone else’s. I think that when other people start to compare you ... that’s when it shows how dim they are of themselves,” she continued.
“I love Bey. I know that she’s a light. But I know that I’m a light too.”
The singer went on to celebrate Beyoncé — whom she considers “a sister” — and all that she’s achieved in her career. But Rowland encouraged people not to focus on comparing women in the entertainment industry.
“We both shine together,” she said of her fellow singer.
Rosenberg had brought up the topic by referencing an interview Rowland did on the “IRL” podcast last month. Host Angie Martinez also invoked Beyoncé in that conversation, but she commended Rowland for being “comfortable and secure” and for having her “own light” within Destiny’s Child.
Beyoncé and Rowland grew up together in Houston, where they entered singing and dancing competitions as children. The two were key members of the group that would eventually be known as Destiny’s Child, which released its debut single, “No, No, No,” in 1997.
After Rowland’s Hot 97 interview, fans took to Twitter to laud the Grammy winner for her impact on the entertainment industry, including her work as a solo artist and actor.
Sheryl Lee Ralph, who won an Emmy in September for her role in the ABC series “Abbott Elementary,” also gave a shoutout to the singer.
“And THIS is why I love Kelly Rowland!!!!” Ralph tweeted. “You better SHINE!!!!!”
Rowland appeared to respond to her fans in a post of her own Thursday.
“Thank you all for your Love & support!” she tweeted. “I know ya’ll got my back!”
“Fantasy Football,” which sees Rowland and Martin star alongside Omari Hardwick and others, is set to premiere Nov. 25.