Exclusive: Former Destiny’s Child Manager Reveals Two Biopics Are In The Works
MN: Without giving away too much, do you have any personal thoughts or feelings about Mathew Knowles?
“Me, personally? I think Mathew did an incredible job after Andretta passed and I walked away from the management team. I think that he did an impeccable job. No personal feelings do I really have. I haven’t seen the man or been around him. It’s been 17 years since I walked away so I really wouldn’t have anything to say other than what people are saying in the media. Being there, I’d have to say that I’m disappointed about what happened with him and Tina. I thought they were a great couple. I feel sorry for all of the girls anytime private things like that happen. Personally, I really don’t have any ill feelings towards Mathew. He took the wheels and ran with it.”
MN: Did you witness a strain in his relationship with Tina at all?
“Well, there were some things but I would not want to be the person to elaborate on their marriage. I’m sure it was hard enough on them as it was.”
MN: Can you tell us anything about the departure of Latavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett from Destiny’s Child?
“One thing that Andretta did was that she had a tight rein on the girls with the contracts and all of that. When LeToya came into the group, she was already acting and doing things of that nature. Because of the contract they had when they signed on to be in Girls Tyme and Destiny’s Child eventually, they were not allowed to do those things so there was kind of a challenge there that went on. Andretta was always there to calm any issues. My thinking is that when Latavia and LeToya got put out after—because that incident happened several times and Ann was there to calm the waters. I think the incident arose again, the issue of them wanting different management and everything and them not reading their contract that said Music World owned Destiny’s Child. They owned the trademark. So by not reading that, you think you can go and remove a manager, but you’re the one who can be replaced. The entity is owned by management. So that’s what happened.”
MN: It’s pretty cool that you were interviewed for the Beyoncé biography that’s coming out. In what capacity did you partake in that project?
“After I released my book, I was approached by J. Randy Taraborrelli about the Beyoncé biography. We’ve been silent and protective of Destiny’s Child for quite some time. And so I really didn’t want to get involved, but after I talked to Randy and we had some discussions, he told me that he wanted to learn more about the behind-the-scenes story and the Andretta piece. That’s when I was more interested in opening up and talking. I think I was an intricate part of them finding out information and finding people. After people found out that I opened up and talked to Randy, a lot more people were more willing to talk about Destiny’s Child and Andretta. I’m really excited about Randy’s book. A lot of people ask me if I’m concerned because I have a book out and Randy has a book, but they’re two different books. Randy’s is a Beyoncé biography. Mine is about Andretta, myself and the creation of Destiny’s Child.”
MN: Do you think you’ll be met with resistance from the Knowles family regarding your movies?
“I haven’t received any resistance with the book at this point. What I have realized is that now if you look at the interviews that Mathew and different people are having, they’re starting to mention Andretta’s name again and things of that nature. That was my whole purpose, just telling Andretta’s story. She was a great woman and I promised I wouldn’t let her name die and that’s exactly what was happening. It was just time to set the record straight. I have kids approaching me thinking that Destiny’s Child just woke up as a star group and that wasn’t the case. There was a lot of struggle, a lot of hard work and a lot of sacrifices by the parents and definitely, the ultimate sacrifice was paid by Andretta.”
MN: I do recall the ladies shouting her out on the Writing’s on the Wall album. I believe they called her Ms. Ann. I’m very interested in learning more about this story.
“It’s an incredible story and we’re so excited to now be talking to people like you and to be in negotiations for the movie and other things that are coming down the pipe. It’s good to be talking about Andretta again and really just setting the record straight about what happened. I think people will find out through my book that some great sacrifices were made and you will appreciate Destiny’s Child more.”
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